18. Long before this time, Abraham had dug many wells. After he died, the Philistines filled the wells with sand. So Isaac went back and dug those wells again. He gave them the same names his father had given them.
19. Isaac’s servants also dug a well near the little river and found fresh water.
20. But the men who herded sheep in the Valley of Gerar argued with Isaac’s servants. They said, “This water is ours.” So Isaac named that well Esek. He gave it that name because it was the place where they had argued with him.
21. Then Isaac’s servants dug another well. But there was an argument over this well too. So Isaac named that well Sitnah.
22. Isaac moved from there and dug another well. No one came to argue about this well. So Isaac named it Rehoboth. He said, “Now the Lord has found a place for us. We will grow and be successful in this place.”
23. From there Isaac went to Beersheba.
24. The Lord spoke to him that night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Don’t be afraid. I am with you, and I will bless you. I will make your family great. I will do this because of my servant Abraham.”
25. So Isaac built an altar and worshiped the Lord in that place. He set up camp there, and his servants dug a well.
26. Abimelech came from Gerar to see Isaac. He brought with him Ahuzzath, his advisor, and Phicol, the commander of his army.