Abraham and Sarah moved south to live between Kadesh and Shur and journeyed into Gerar (Genesis 20:1). Abraham claimed Sarah to be his sister and Abimelech, the king of Gerar sent for her and took her (Genesis 20:2).
During the night, God came to Abimelech in a dream and said, "Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife" (Genesis 20:3). Abimelech explained to God how Abraham and Sarah claimed to be brother and sister (Genesis 20:5). Abimelech further explained "...in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I [taken Sarah]" (Genesis 20:5).
God knew of Abimelech's integrity and let him know in the dream that He kept Abimelech from sinning against Him by not allowing Abimelech to touch Sarah (Genesis 20:6). God had protected Abimelech and said, "Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine" (Genesis 20:7). Abimelech shared everything with his servants that God had told him "...and the men were sore afraid" (Genesis 20:8).
"Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him what hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done" (Genesis 20:9).
"And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing" (Genesis 20:10)?
"And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake" (Genesis 20:11). Abraham continued to explain that Sarah is his half-sister and how he had told her to say that he is her brother as her kindness to him" (Genesis 20:13).
Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham and gave him sheep, oxen and servants (Genesis 20:14). Abimelech generously offered his land to Abraham and said for him to dwell where he pleased (Genesis 20:15).
"So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech and his wife, and his maid servants; and they bare children. For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife" (Genesis 20:18).
For your reference, turn to Genesis 20.
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