Genesis 14 is a commentary on one of the finest hours in Abram's life,
when he defeats four kings in battle, declines the riches of men, and
expresses His faith in God. This commentary on Genesis 14 also looks toward
the covenant.
GENESIS 14:1-24 1
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of
Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations,
2 that they made war
with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah,
Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
3 All these joined
together in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
4 Twelve years they
served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5 In the fourteenth year
Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him came and attacked the Rephaim
in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
6 and the Horites in their mountain of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is by
the wilderness. 7 Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and attacked
all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who dwelt in
Hazezon Tamar. 8 And the king
of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and
the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and joined together in battle in
the Valley of Siddim 9 against
Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar,
and Arioch king of Ellasar - four kings against five.
10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of
asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and
the remainder fled to the mountains. 11
Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their
provisions, and went their way. 12
They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods,
and departed. 13 Then one who had
escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees
of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were
allies with Abram. 14 Now when Abram
heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and
eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in
pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided
his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and
pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
16 So he brought back all the goods, and
also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and
the people. 17 And the king of Sodom
went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley),
after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with
him. 18 Then Melchizedek king of
Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.
19 And he blessed him and said: “ Blessed
be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has
delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.
21 Now the king of Sodom said to Abram,
“Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.”
22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom,
“I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven
and earth, 23 that I will take
nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything
that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’ -
24 except only what the young men have
eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre;
let them take their portion.”
What happened?
In brief, five kings invaded the region in which Lot lived, defeated the
local kings and made off with everything, including Lot, who is Abram’s
nephew. Abram learned of it and along with his servants chased down the invaders,
defeated them, and brought back Lot, as well as everything else. One of the local
kings is grateful to Abraham and tells him to keep the things he recovered.
Abram let his allies accept the offer but declines it for himself, telling the
king that he will wait for God to bless him, lest the king claim credit
when God makes Abram rich later. This was commendable because at this time
Abram had neither an heir nor land.
