And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
Ver. 13. He ran to meet him, and embraced him.] All in hypocrisy, as the Hebrews hold. There be many Labans: hot at first, cold at last; friendly in the beginning, froward in the end. A free friend at first, a kind friend to the last, is rara avis in terris ." Trust not in a friend, put not confidence in a brother," &c. Mic 7:5 Look rather unto the Lord, as the Church doth there: he is the only one dependable, as they say, and will never fail us; when the world, as Laban, will show itself at parting, if not before.
He told Laban all these things.] Why and how he came so poorly to him, whereas Abram's servant, coming upon a like errand, came far better attended and appointed; which was the thing that Laban likely looked after when he ran out to meet Jacob.