I. A Philistine king of Gerar, into whose dominions Abraham removed after the destruction of Sodom. The latter, from motives of prudence, pretended that Sarah, his wife, was his sister, whereupon Abimelech took her from him, intending to make her his concubine. By divine command, however, he restored her, rebuking Abraham for his fraud. Another Philistine king of Gerar of the same name was similarly deceived by Isaac in regard to Rebekah, and also rebuked him.

II. A son of Gideon by a Shechemite concubine, who made himself king after murdering all his 70 brethren except Jotham, and was killed after a reign of three years while besieging the tower of Thebez. (See Hebrews.)