And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
Abraham reproved ... because of a well. Wells were of great importance to a pastoral chief, and on the successful operation of sinking a new one, the owner was solemnly infeft in person. If, however, they were allowed to get out of repair, the restorer acquired a right to them. In unoccupied lands the possession of wells gave a right of property in the ground, and dread of this had caused the offence for which Abraham reproved Abimelech. The king having given a satisfactory explantation, the preliminary difficulty in the way of his proposed alliance was removed, and Abraham secured himself in possession of the well.