Why did HaSh-m answer, "If I will find in Sedom... " in the future tense?
Seforno: The visit of the angels to Sedom was the litmus test that would determine HaSh-m's final judgment. 1
What is meant by "in the midst of the city"? Why did Avraham ask for "the city" in the singular (18:24), and why does HaSh-m likewise single out Sedom in His response?
Rashi, Seforno; Rashbam (to 18:24): Because Sedom was the metropolis, 1 and the king of Sedom was chief of the kings (Rashbam).
Ramban #1: Avraham mentioned "in the midst of the town" because the people feared HaSh-m in public.
Ramban #2: He mentioned it, because he thought that Sedom might perhaps be worthy of salvation on account of the temporary residents who lived there, such as Lot (and maybe there were others like him).
The Seforno adds that HaSh-m specifically mentioned Sedom because that is where the cream of the crop gathered, and where the righteous people who would rebuke the Resha'im would be most likely to be.
