that she did not accompany him as his sister, but as his
legitimate wife; and that God had promised to be gracious to him
for the time to come, if this person be once secure of his wife's
chastity. When he had said this, by the advice of his friends, he
sent for Abraham, and bid him not to be concerned about his wife,
or fear the corruption of her chastity; for that God took care of
him, and that it was by his providence that he received his wife
again, without her suffering any abuse. And he appealed to God,
and to his wife's conscience; and said that he had not any
inclination at first to enjoy her, if he had known she was his
wife; but since, said he, thou leddest her about as thy sister, I
was guilty of no offense. He also entreated him to be at peace
with him, and to make God propitious to him; and that if he
thought fit to continue with him, he should have what he wanted
in abundance; but that if he designed to go away, he should be
honorably conducted, and have whatsoever supply he wanted when he
came thither. Upon his saying this, Abraham told him that his
pretense of kindred to his wife was no lie, because she was his
brother's daughter; and that he did not think himself safe in his
travels abroad, without this sort of dissimulation; and that he
was not the cause of his distemper, but was only solicitous for
his own safety: he said also, that he was ready to stay with him.
Whereupon Abimelech assigned him land and money; and they
coventanted to live together without guile, and took an oath at a
certain well called Beersheba, which may be interpreted, The Well
of the Oath: and so it is named by the people of the country unto
this day.

2. Now in a little time Abraham had a son by Sarah, as God had
foretold to him, whom he named Isaac, which signifies Laughter.