Genesis 18 Commentary

God and two others visit Abraham. Abraham humbly provides hospitality for the needs of his guests.

Abraham, the good host, quickly asks Sarah to prepare bread and asks a servant to prepare a calf to eat. He then brought his guests something refreshing to drink.

The promise of Sarah having a son in a year’s time is given. Sarah overhearing what was said, laughed to herself because she was past the childbearing age.

Sarah, being afraid, denied that she had laughed. God knew the truth. God ponders whether to tell Abraham about His plans for Sodom.

God tells Abraham about the report of the great sin in Sodom and Gomorrah and that they plan on visiting the cities to see if it is true.

Abraham bargains with God to spare them from judgement. if He will destroy the righteous with the wicked sinners. Then he proposes a question to God, if there are 50 righteous in the city, would God spare the city for their sake? God replies that He would spare the whole city if there are 50 righteous.

Abraham humbly continues to question God. What if there is 45, 40, or even 30 righteous? God replies that He would not destroy the city if there are 30 righteous.

Abraham continued to ask, what if there are 20 or 10 righteous people? God replied He would not destroy the city if 10 righteous are found. Then God departed, and Abraham returned home.