4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
4 Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, "Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?
4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, "Lord, will you kill an innocent people?
4 Now Abimelech had not yet slept with her, hadn't so much as touched her. He said, "Master, would you kill an innocent man?
4 But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, "Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also?
4 But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, "Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 20:4
Commentary on Genesis 20:1-8
(Read Genesis 20:1-8)
Crooked policy will not prosper: it brings ourselves and others into danger. God gives Abimelech notice of his danger of sin, and his danger of death for his sin. Every wilful sinner is a dead man, but Abimelech pleads ignorance. If our consciences witness, that, however we may have been cheated into a snare, we have not knowingly sinned against God, it will be our rejoicing in the day of evil. It is matter of comfort to those who are honest, that God knows their honesty, and will acknowledge it. It is a great mercy to be hindered from committing sin; of this God must have the glory. But if we have ignorantly done wrong, that will not excuse us, if we knowingly persist in it. He that does wrong, whoever he is, prince or peasant, shall certainly receive for the wrong which he has done, unless he repent, and, if possible, make restitution.