Genesis 21:22-34

22At that time Phicol was the leader of King Abimelech's army. Abimelech and Phicol said to Abraham, ‘We see that God helps you in everything that you do.

23So please make a promise to me in front of God. Promise that you will never deceive me, or my children, or my descendants. You are living here in this land as a stranger. I have been kind to you, so please show that you will also be kind to us.’

24Abraham said, ‘I promise to do all that.’

25One day, Abraham complained to Abimelech about a certain well of water. Abimelech's servants had taken the well from Abraham. They said that the well belonged to them.

26Abimelech said, ‘I do not know who has done this. You did not tell me before. I did not hear about it until today.’

27So Abraham brought some sheep and some cows and he gave them to Abimelech. The two men made a promise to help each other.

28Abraham took seven female lambs from the sheep. He put them in a different place from the other animals.

29Abimelech asked Abraham, ‘Why have you put these seven lambs in a different place?’

30Abraham replied, ‘You must accept these seven lambs as a gift from me. That will show that you agree that I dug this well. Everyone will know that it belongs to me.’

31Because of that, the name of the place became ‘Beersheba’, because the two men made a promise there.

32In that way, they made a promise at Beersheba to help one another. Then Abimelech and Phicol, the leader of his army, returned to the land of the Philistines.

33Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba. In that place, he worshipped the Lord who is God for ever.

34Abraham lived in the land of the Philistines for a long time.