hundred years; (20) during which time they should be afflicted,
but afterwards should overcome their enemies, should conquer the
Canaanites in war, and possess themselves of their land, and of
their cities.

4. Now Abram dwelt near the oak called Ogyges,--the place belongs
to Canaan, not far from the city of Hebron. But being uneasy at
his wife's barrenness, he entreated God to grant that he might
have male issue; and God required of him to be of good courage,
and said that he would add to all the rest of the benefits that
he had bestowed upon him, ever since he led him out of
Mesopotamia, the gift of children. Accordingly Sarai, at God's
command, brought to his bed one of her handmaidens, a woman of
Egyptian descent, in order to obtain children by her; and when
this handmaid was with child, she triumphed, and ventured to
affront Sarai, as if the dominion were to come to a son to be
born of her. But when Abram resigned her into the hand of Sarai,
to punish her, she contrived to fly away, as not able to bear the
instances of Sarai's severity to her; and she entreated God to
have compassion on her. Now a Divine Angel met her, as she was
going forward in the wilderness, and bid her return to her master
and mistress, for if she would submit to that wise advice, she
would live better hereafter; for that the reason of her being in
such a miserable case was this, that she had been ungrateful and
arrogant towards her mistress. He also told her, that if she
disobeyed God, and went on still in her way, she should perish;
but if she would return back, she should become the mother of a
son who should reign over that country. These admonitions she
obeyed, and returned to her master and mistress, and obtained
forgiveness. A little while afterwards, she bare Ismael; which