¹⁸ For the Lord had closed fast all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.^(A)

¹⁷ But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.^(A)

² Jacob became very angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”^(A)

¹⁰ So they sent the ark of the God of Israel^[a] to Ekron. But when the ark of God came to Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “Why^[b] have they brought around to us^[c] the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our^[d] people?”

⁶ Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb.^(A)

⁷ Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all that are yours.”^(A)

² and Sarai said to Abram, “You see that the Lord has prevented me from bearing children; go in to my slave; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.^(A)