Genesis 25:1  “Abraham again took a wife…”
Much debate is listed in the commentaries as to when this occurred, before or after the death of Sarah.  Some are concerned that it had to be before since he would have been too old to have children.  Others say it had to have been after since the children aren’t mentioned until now.  All are good arguments, and I can see the points for both.  Taking the text as is, it appears he took a wife after the death of Sarah.  Keturah would have been of normal child bearing age, so any relations Abraham was able to have with her had a good chance of producing children.  The timing of the mention provides a conclusion of Abraham’s life.

5-6  “…Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac…gave gifts to the sons of the concubines…while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son…”
Keturah was not counted on the same level as Sarah, therefore her children received gifts and not a share of the inheritance or birthright.  As it says concubines, Hagar is probably included in the statement.  Ishmael would have received gifts from Abraham as did the children of Keturah.  Sending them away would have prevented contention.

8  “…died in a good old age, an old man and full of years…”
Fulfillment of God’s promise in His declaration of Abraham’s life.

9  “…his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him…”
Ishmael still had some contact with the family.

11  “…Isaac dwelt at Beer Lahai Roi”
Area was mentioned in chapter sixteen.  It is where the Angel of the LORD found Hagar when she was pregnant with Ishmael and ran from Sarah.

16  “…sons of Ishmael…twelve princes…”
Fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and Hagar.

23  “…the LORD said to her…the older shall serve the younger”
God tells Rebekah that the younger son would be the one to carry the promise in so many words.  We know that Jacob will steal the birthright from Esau by trickery, but was it necessary.  God would have provided the birthright to Jacob had he and his mother trusted God.  Interesting that we have two occasions where God promised something, a child to Abraham and a birthright to Jacob, but instead of waiting for Him to fulfill those promises, the people took it upon themselves to acquire what God promised, and trouble resulted.

26  “…Isaac was sixty years old…”
He was forty when he married Rebekah.  They waited twenty years before God gave them children.

28  “…Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob”
Age old problem of parental favorites.  Made a bad situation worse.

34  “…he ate and drank, arose, and went his way…Esau despised his birthright”
Display of Esau’s character.  May be one reason he wasn’t in the line of promise.  Appears he gave it no more thought until the day Isaac chose to bestow the blessing.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.