| Geneva Study Bible And Abram said, {a} Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? (a) His fear was not only lest he should not have children, but lest the promise of the blessed seed should not be accomplished in him. Scofield Reference Notes [1] "Lord" (Heb. Adon, Adonai) (1) The primary meaning of Adon, Adonai, is Master, and it is applied in the Old Testament Scriptures both to Deity and to man. The latter instances are distinguished in the English version by the omission of the capital. As applied to man, the word is used of two relationships; master and husband Gen 24:9,10,12 "master" may illustrate the former; Gen 18:12 "lord," the latter). Both these relationships exist between Christ and the believer Jn 13:13 "master"; 2Cor 11:2,3 "husband"). (2) Two principles inhere in the relation of master and servant: (a) the Master's right to implicit obedience Jn 13:13 Mt 23:10 Lk 6:46 (b) the servant's right to direction in service Isa 6:8-11 Clear distinction in the use of the divine names is illustrated in Ex 4:10-12. Moses feels his weakness and incompetency, and "Moses said unto the Lord [Jehovah], O my Lord [Adonai], I Amos not eloquent," etc. Since service is in question, Moses appropriately addresses Jehovah as Lord. But now power is in question, and it not the Lord (Adonai) but Jehovah (Lord) who answers (referring to creation power)--"and Jehovah said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? . . Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth." The same distinction in Josh 7:8-11. See, for other names of Deity: See Scofield Note: "Gen 1:1" See Scofield Note: "Gen 2:4" See Scofield Note: "Gen 2:7" See Scofield Note: "Gen 14:18" See Scofield Note: "Gen 15:2" See Scofield Note: "Gen 17:1" See Scofield Note: "Gen 21:33" See Scofield Note: "1Sam 1:3" [2] "Lord God" (Heb. Adonai Jehovah). When used distinctively, this compound name, while gathering into one the special meanings of each See Scofield Note: "Gen 2:4" See Scofield Note: "Gen 15:2" will be found to emphasize the Adonai rather than the Jehovah character of Deity. (The following passages may suffice to illustrate this:) Gen 15:2,8 Dt 3:24 9:26 Josh 7:7 Jud 6:22 16:28 2Sam 7:18-20, 2Sam 7:28,29 1Ki 2:26 Ps 69:6 71:5 Isa 7:7 See, for other names of Deity: See Scofield Note: "Gen 1:1" See Scofield Note: "Gen 2:4" See Scofield Note: "Gen 2:7" Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 2. Lord God, what wilt thou give?-To his mind the declaration, "I am thy exceeding great reward" [Ge 15:1], had but one meaning, or was viewed but in one particular light, as bearing on the fulfilment of the promise, and he was still experiencing the sickness of hope deferred. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 15:2-6 Though we must never complain of God, yet we have leave to complain to him; and to state all our grievances. It is ease to a burdened spirit, to open its case to a faithful and compassionate friend. Abram's complaint is, that he had no child; that he was never likely to have any; that the want of a son was so great a trouble to him, that it took away all his comfort. If we suppose that Abram looked no further than outward comfort, this complaint was to be blamed. But if we suppose that Abram herein had reference to the promised Seed, his desire was very commendable. Till we have evidence of our interest in Christ, we should not rest satisfied; what will all avail me, if I go Christless? If we continue instant in prayer, yet pray with humble submission to the Divine will, we shall not seek in vain. God gave Abram an express promise of a son. Christians may believe in God with respect to the common concerns of this life; but the faith by which they are justified, always has respect to the person and work of Christ. Abram believed in God as promising Christ; they believe in him as having raised him from the dead, Ro 4:24. Through faith in his blood they obtain forgiveness of sins. | 
