Abraham’s story moves from a priestly phase (setting up altars in the land) through a kingly phase (conquering the kings) to a prophetic phase (arguing with Yahweh and interceding for Abimelech). His life previews the history of Israel.

At each transition, there is an exodus, a thwarted threat to the bride, and a return. When he goes to Egypt in chapter 12, we don’t know that he’s a warrior; he’s been a priest. But he acquires stuff in Egypt, and comes back a king, with a sufficient company to raise an army of 318. Fending off Pharaoh’s assault on Sarai is the key to his elevation from priest to king. Then he goes out of the land again into Gerar, protects Sarai once again, and is explicitly called a prophet.

That is to say: Exile, death and resurrection, is the way of elevation; and, defending the bride from assault is the crisis that leads to exaltation. Adam failed; Abraham, the new Adam, succeeded; so too his Seed.