Bible Basics: Genesis 23–24
Genesis 23
Verses 1–2: After living 127 years, Sarah dies in Hebron (on the southern edge of modern-day Israel). Abraham deeply mourns the loss of his wife.
3–6: Abraham publicly meets with the Hittites (who possess Hebron and the surrounding region) at the Hebron city gate, and asks if they'll sell him some property for Sarah's burial. They’ve seen God work in amazing ways in Abraham's life, and greatly esteem him. They view Abraham as a “mighty prince” in their land, offering him use of any of their best tombs.
7–11: With gratitude and respect, Abraham bows down and requests to purchase the cave of Machpelah from Ephron at full price. With a return of respect, Ephron says no—he’ll freely give Abraham both the field and cave for Sarah's burial.
12–14: Bowing, Abraham again asks to purchase Ephron's field. Ephron names the price of the field as 400 shekels (roughly $3000 to $103,000 in US currency today), but courteously encourages Abraham to freely take the field.
15–18: Abraham agrees to Ephron’s valuation and pays for the field in the presence of the townspeople. He buries Sarah there.
Genesis 24
1–4: Abraham has been fully blessed by God, and now as an elderly man he looks to the future of Isaac, his son. Calling his chief servant, Abraham asks him to swear before God to find a wife for Isaac among Abraham's kinsmen, not the Canaanite people, whose hearts were consistently turned away from God.
5–9: The chief servant asks a reasonable question: “What if the woman I find won’t return with me? Should I bring Isaac to her?” (my paraphrase). Abraham is quick and clear in his response, instructing him to “make sure” Isaac doesn't return to Abraham's home country. Abraham believes God's promise to give the Canaanite land to his descendants and trusts that God will grant his servant success. In an act of good faith, the chief servant vows to fulfill Abraham's wishes.
10–14: Abraham’s servant and company journey to Nahor (now Southeastern Turkey)* to find a wife for Isaac. They reach a well outside of town by sundown, just in time for the local women to draw water. Here, he prays for success on his mission, and a sign to know which girl God’s chosen for Isaac: she’d be the one to offer both him and his camels water when he asks for a drink.
15–20: Rebekah enters the scene before the servant finishes praying. She's beautiful and pure, with a heart to serve others. When Abraham’s servant asks for a drink, she gladly obliges and draws water for his camels as well.
21–27: Seeing her response and the kindness of her heart, the servant presents her with gifts of jewelry from Abraham's household. Once he learns that she is Abraham's kinsman, and she invites him to lodge in her father's home, he knows he's found the one. In relief and gratitude he bows before God, praising him for his kindness and faithfulness to Abraham.
28–31: Running home, Rebekah tells her family of all that has happened. Laban, her brother, quickly sets out for the well to invite the servant and company into their home.
32–49: After the camels are tended, the servant and his men sit down for a meal with Rebekah's family. Before they eat, though, the servant insists on telling them about Abraham, Isaac, his oath, and the events of his journey thus far.
50–60: Bethuel (Rebecca's father) and Laban agree that God has chosen Rebekah for Isaac, and consent to her departure. Worshipping God again for his kindness, the servant gives costly gifts to Rebekah and her family as her bride-price. The next morning, though, Laban and Milcah (Rebekah's mother) aren't ready to let her go. They ask the servant to wait ten days before departing. Unwilling to delay his return to Abraham, the servant urges them to let the journey home begin. Rebekah agrees, and they send her and her nurse (possibly meaning “teacher”)** off—blessing her to have many children and for protection from harm.
61–66: In the meantime, Isaac has journeyed to his father's home. One evening while he was out in a field meditating, he sees the approach of Rebekah's caravan. She also sees him at a distance, and asks who he is. The servant identifies Isaac, and Rebecca veils herself, according to the custom of the time for brides before their marriage. After Isaac hears the story of finding Rebekah, he brings her into his mother's tent and marries her. He loves her, and finds comfort over the recent loss of his mother.
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nahor,_son_of_Terah
**https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4199139/jewish/Who-Was-Deborah-the-Nurse.htm