13 He spent the night there, and from what he had with him he selected a gift for his brother Esau:
13 And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
13 So he stayed there that night, and from what he had with him he took a present for his brother Esau,
13 He slept the night there. Then he prepared a present for his brother Esau from his possessions:
13 So he lodged there that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother:
13 Jacob stayed where he was for the night. Then he selected these gifts from his possessions to present to his brother, Esau:
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 32:13
Commentary on Genesis 32:9-23
(Read Genesis 32:9-23)
Times of fear should be times of prayer: whatever causes fear, should drive us to our knees, to our God. Jacob had lately seen his guards of angels, but in this distress he applied to God, not to them; he knew they were his fellow-servants, Revelation 22:9. There cannot be a better pattern for true prayer than this. Here is a thankful acknowledgement of former undeserved favours; a humble confession of unworthiness; a plain statement of his fears and distress; a full reference of the whole affair to the Lord, and resting all his hopes on him. The best we can say to God in prayer, is what he has said to us. Thus he made the name of the Lord his strong tower, and could not but be safe. Jacob's fear did not make him sink into despair, nor did his prayer make him presume upon God's mercy, without the use of means. God answers prayers by teaching us to order our affairs aright. To pacify Esau, Jacob sent him a present. We must not despair of reconciling ourselves to those most angry against us.