Eishet Chayil: Part One
“And Abraham was old.” (Genesis 24:1) In reference to this the verse states; “A woman of valor is the crown of her husband.” (Proverbs 12:4) This refers to Abraham, who mourned for his wife. It was written before this section, “Sarah dies,” (Genesis 24:2) and Abraham began to cry over her, and he said, “A woman of valor, who can find?” (Proverbs 31:10) “The heart of her husband trusts in her.” (Verse 11) To which specific incident did Abraham refer? When he said to her, “Please say that you are my sister.” (Genesis 12:13)
“She bestows goodness upon him and never evil, all the days of her life,” (Proverbs 31:12) as it is stated, “And Pharaoh treated Abraham well for her sake.” (Genesis 12:16)
“She seeks wool and flax,” (Proverbs 31:13) refers to the difference between Isaac and Ishmael, and she therefore said to Abraham, “Drive out this slave-woman and her son.” (Genesis 21:10)