2509. 'And Abimelech king of Gerar sent' means the doctrine of faith. This is clear from what has been stated above in 2504 - that by 'Philistia' is meant knowledge of the cognitions of faith, 1197, 1198, by 'Gerar', which was situated in Philistia, is meant faith, 1209, 2504, and by 'king' the truth itself of faith, 1672, 2015, 2069; consequently by 'Abimelech' is meant the doctrine of faith, but the doctrine of faith which has regard to rational things, as will be evident from what follows next.