Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 16:1-3

"Now Sarai, Abram`s wife, bare him no children: and she had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, Jehovah hath restrained me from bearing; go in, I pray thee, unto my handmaid; it may be that I shall obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai, Abram`s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her handmaid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife." — Genesis 16:1-3 (ASV)

Sarai, no longer expecting to have children herself, proposed to Abram that he take another wife, through whom she might have children. This wife was to be her slave, whose children would be her property. This was done without seeking counsel from the Lord. Unbelief was at work; God's almighty power was forgotten. It was a bad example and a source of much distress.

In every relationship and situation in life, there is some cross for us to bear: much of the exercise of faith consists in patiently submitting, waiting for the Lord's time, and using only those means that He appoints for the removal of the cross.

Foul temptations may have very fair pretenses and be colored with what is very plausible. Fleshly wisdom diverts us from God's way.

This would not be the case if we would seek counsel from God through His word and by prayer before we attempt anything that is doubtful.