11 Abraham replied, "I said to myself, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.'
11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.
11 Abraham said, "I did it because I thought, There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.
11 Abraham said, "I just assumed that there was no fear of God in this place and that they'd kill me to get my wife.
11 And Abraham said, "Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife.
11 Abraham replied, "I thought, 'This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 20:11
Commentary on Genesis 20:9-13
(Read Genesis 20:9-13)
See here much to blame, even in the father of the faithful. Mark his distrust of God, his undue care about life, his intent to deceive. He also threw temptation in the way of others, caused affliction to them, exposed himself and Sarah to just rebukes, and yet attempted an excuse. These things are written for our warning, not for us to imitate. Even Abraham hath not whereof to glory. He cannot be justified by his works, but must be indebted for justification, to that righteousness which is upon all and unto all them that believe. We must not condemn all as hypocrites who fall into sin, if they do not continue in it. But let the unhumbled and impenitent take heed that they do not sin on, thinking that grace may abound. Abimelech, being warned of God, takes the warning; and being truly afraid of sin and its consequences, he rose early to pursue the directions given him.