Genesis 14:16-24

16 He brought back everything they had, including women and soldiers. He also brought back his relative Lot and his possessions.

17 After Abram came back from defeating Chedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Shaveh Valley (that is, the King's Valley).

18 Then King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of God Most High.

19 He blessed Abram, and said, "Blessed is Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth.

20 Blessed is God Most High, who has handed your enemies over to you." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people, and keep everything else for yourself."

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I now raise my hand and solemnly swear to the LORD God Most High, maker of heaven and earth,

23 that I won't take a thread or a sandal strap. I won't take anything that is yours so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.'

24 I won't take one single thing except what my men have eaten. But let my allies Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share."

Genesis 14:16-24 Meaning and Commentary

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.