and said, "Sirs, I am here to serve you. Please come to my house. You can wash your feet and spend the night. In the morning you can get up early and go on your way." But they answered, "No, we will spend the night here in the city square."

Early the next morning Abraham gave Hagar some food and a leather bag full of water. He put the child on her back and sent her away. She left and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Early the next morning Abraham cut some wood for the sacrifice, loaded his donkey, and took Isaac and two servants with him. They started out for the place that God had told him about.

Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters good-bye, and left to go back home.

Abram answered, "I solemnly swear before the LORD, the Most High God, Maker of heaven and earth,

So make a vow here in the presence of God that you will not deceive me, my children, or my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so promise that you will also be loyal to me and to this country in which you are living."

And so the place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them made a vow.

After they had made this agreement at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol went back to Philistia.

Jacob answered, "First make a vow that you will give me your rights." Esau made the vow and gave his rights to Jacob.

I am ready to make an agreement with you. Let us make a pile of stones to remind us of our agreement."

The Israelites were weak with hunger that day, because Saul, with a solemn oath, had given the order: "A curse be on anyone who eats any food today before I take revenge on my enemies." So nobody had eaten anything all day.

But David answered, "Your father knows very well how much you like me, and he has decided not to let you know what he plans to do, because you would be deeply hurt. I swear to you by the living LORD that I am only a step away from death!"

may our promise to each other still be unbroken. If it is broken, the LORD will punish you."

Once again Jonathan made David promise to love him, for Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.

"Will you lead me to those raiders?" David asked him. He answered, "I will if you promise me in God's name that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master."

When we make a vow, we use the name of someone greater than ourselves, and the vow settles all arguments.