Genesis 14

1 It happened in the days of Amrafel, king of Shin`ar, Aryokh, king of Ellasar, Kedorla`omer, king of `Elam, and Tid`al, king of Goyim,

2 that they made war with Bera, king of Sedom, and with Birsha, king of `Amorah, Shin'av, king of Admah, and Shem'ever, king of Tzevoyim, and the king of Bela (the same is Tzo`ar).

3 All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (the same is the Salt Sea).

4 Twelve years they served Kedorla`omer, and in the thirteenth year, they rebelled.

5 In the fourteenth year Kedorla`omer came, and the kings who were with him, and struck the Refa'im in `Ashterot-Karnayim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh-Kiryatayim,

6 and the Hori in their Mount Se`ir, to El-Paran, which is by the wilderness.

7 They returned, and came to En-mishpat (the same is Kadesh), and struck all the country of the `Amaleki, and also the Amori, that lived in Hatzatzon-Tamar.

8 There went out the king of Sedom, and the king of `Amorah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Tzevoyim, and the king of Bela (the same is Tzo`ar); and they set the battle in array against them in the valley of Siddim;

9 against Kedorla`omer king of `Elam, and Tid`al king of Goyim, and Amrafel king of Shin`ar, and Aryokh king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.

10 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sedom and `Amorah fled, and they fell there, and those who remained fled to the mountain.

11 They took all the goods of Sedom and `Amorah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

12 They took Lot, Avram's brother's son, who lived in Sedom, and his goods, and departed.

13 One who had escaped came and told Avram, the Hebrew. Now he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amori, brother of Eshkol, and brother of `Aner; and these were allies of Avram.

14 When Avram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan.

15 He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hovah, which is on the left hand of Dammesek.

16 He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative, Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

17 The king of Sedom went out to meet him, after his return from the slaughter of Kedorla`omer and the kings who were with him, at the valley of Shaveh (the same is the King's Valley).

18 Malki-Tzedek king of Shalem brought forth bread and wine: and he was Kohen of El `Elyon.

19 He blessed him, and said, "Blessed be Avram of El `Elyon, possessor of heaven and eretz:

20 and blessed be El `Elyon, who has delivered your enemies into your hand." Avram gave him a tenth of all.

21 The king of Sedom said to Avram, "Give me the people, and take the goods to yourself."

22 Avram said to the king of Sedom, "I have lifted up my hand to the LORD, El `Elyon, possessor of heaven and eretz,

23 that I will not take a thread nor a shoe-latchet nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Avram rich.'

24 Except only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me, `Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre: let them take their portion."

Genesis 14 Commentary

Chapter 14

The battle of the kings, Lot is taken prisoner. (1-12) Abram rescues Lot. (13-16) Melchizedek blesses Abram. (17-20) Abram restores the spoil. (21-24)

Verses 1-12 The wars of nations make great figure in history, but we should not have had the record of this war if Abram and Lot had not been concerned. Out of covetousness, Lot had settled in fruitful, but wicked Sodom. Its inhabitants were the most ripe for vengeance of all the descendants of Canaan. The invaders were from Chaldea and Persia, then only small kingdoms. They took Lot among the rest, and his goods. Though he was righteous, and Abram's brother's son, yet he was with the rest in this trouble. Neither our own piety, nor our relation to the favourites of Heaven, will be our security when God's judgments are abroad. Many an honest man fares the worse for his wicked neighbours: it is our wisdom to separate, or at least to ( 2 Corinthians. 6:17 ) of Abram should have been a companion and a disciple of Abram. If he chose to dwell in Sodom, he must thank himself if he share in Sodom's losses. When we go out of the way of our duty, we put ourselves from under God's protection, and cannot expect that the choice made by our lusts, should end to our comfort. They took Lot's goods; it is just with God to deprive us of enjoyments, by which we suffer ourselves to be deprived of the enjoyment of him.

Verses 13-16 Abram takes this opportunity to give a real proof of his being truly friendly to Lot. We ought to be ready to succour those in distress, especially relations and friends. And though others may have been wanting in their duty to us, yet we must not neglect our duty to them. Abram rescued the captives. As we have opportunity, we must do good to all.

Verses 17-20 Melchizedek is spoken of as a king of Salem, supposed to be the place afterwards called Jerusalem, and it is generally thought that he was only a man. The words of the apostle, Heb. 7:3 , state only, that the sacred history has said nothing of his ancestors. The silence of the Scriptures on this, is to raise our thoughts to Him, whose generation cannot be declared. Bread and wine were suitable refreshment for the weary followers of Abram; and it is remarkable that Christ appointed the same as the memorials of his body and blood, which are meat and drink indeed to the soul. Melchizedek blessed Abram from God. He blessed God from Abram. We ought to give thanks for other's mercies as for our own. Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, is the Mediator both of our prayers and praises, and not only offers up ours, but his own for us. Abram gave him the tenth of the spoils, ( Hebrews 7:4 ) . When we have received some great mercy from God, it is very fit we should express our thankfulness by some special act of pious charity. Jesus Christ, our great Melchisedek, is to have homage done him, and to be humbly acknowledged as our King and Priest; not only the tithe of all, but all we have, must be given up to him.

Verses 21-24 Observe the king of Sodom's grateful offer to Abram, Give me the souls, and take thou the substance. Gratitude teaches us to recompense to the utmost of our power, those that have undergone fatigues, run hazards, and been at expense for our service and benefit. Abram generously refused this offer. He accompanies his refusal with a good reason, Lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: which would reflect upon the promise promise and covenant of God, as if He would not have enriched Abraham without the spoils of Sodom. The people of God must, for their credit's sake, take heed of doing any thing that looks mean or mercenary, or that savors of covetousness and self-seeking. Abraham can trust the Possessor of Heaven and earth to provide for him.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 14

This chapter gives an account of a war that was waged, and a battle fought between four kings on one side, and five on the other, and of the occasion and issue of it, who were the first kings, and this the first battle the Scriptures speak of, Ge 14:1-11; Lot and his goods being taken and carried off, with those of Sodom, by the conquerors, Abram hearing of it armed his men, and pursued after them, and overtook and overcame them, and rescued Lot and his goods, with others, and returned, Ge 14:12-16; when he was met by the kings of Sodom and Salem, who congratulated him on his victory, Ge 14:17-19; and what passed between him, and those great personages, is related, Ge 14:20-24.