Genesis 14

1 factum est autem in illo tempore ut Amrafel rex Sennaar et Arioch rex Ponti et Chodorlahomor rex Aelamitarum et Thadal rex Gentium

2 inirent bellum contra Bara regem Sodomorum et contra Bersa regem Gomorrae et contra Sennaab regem Adamae et contra Semeber regem Seboim contraque regem Balae ipsa est Segor

3 omnes hii convenerunt in vallem Silvestrem quae nunc est mare Salis

4 duodecim enim annis servierant Chodorlahomor et tertiodecimo anno recesserunt ab eo

5 igitur anno quartodecimo venit Chodorlahomor et reges qui erant cum eo percusseruntque Rafaim in Astharothcarnaim et Zuzim cum eis et Emim in Savecariathaim

6 et Chorreos in montibus Seir usque ad campestria Pharan quae est in solitudine

7 reversique sunt et venerunt ad fontem Mesfat ipsa est Cades et percusserunt omnem regionem Amalechitarum et Amorreum qui habitabat in Asasonthamar

8 et egressi sunt rex Sodomorum et rex Gomorrae rexque Adamae et rex Seboim necnon et rex Balae quae est Segor et direxerunt contra eos aciem in valle Silvestri

9 scilicet adversum Chodorlahomor regem Aelamitarum et Thadal regem Gentium et Amrafel regem Sennaar et Arioch regem Ponti quattuor reges adversus quinque

10 vallis autem Silvestris habebat puteos multos bituminis itaque rex Sodomorum et Gomorrae terga verterunt cecideruntque ibi et qui remanserant fugerunt ad montem

11 tulerunt autem omnem substantiam Sodomorum et Gomorrae et universa quae ad cibum pertinent et abierunt

12 necnon et Loth et substantiam eius filium fratris Abram qui habitabat in Sodomis

13 et ecce unus qui evaserat nuntiavit Abram Hebraeo qui habitabat in convalle Mambre Amorrei fratris Eschol et fratris Aner hii enim pepigerant foedus cum Abram

14 quod cum audisset Abram captum videlicet Loth fratrem suum numeravit expeditos vernaculos suos trecentos decem et octo et persecutus est eos usque Dan

15 et divisis sociis inruit super eos nocte percussitque eos et persecutus est usque Hoba quae est ad levam Damasci

16 reduxitque omnem substantiam et Loth fratrem suum cum substantia illius mulieres quoque et populum

17 egressus est autem rex Sodomorum in occursum eius postquam reversus est a caede Chodorlahomor et regum qui cum eo erant in valle Save quae est vallis Regis

18 at vero Melchisedech rex Salem proferens panem et vinum erat enim sacerdos Dei altissimi

19 benedixit ei et ait benedictus Abram Deo excelso qui creavit caelum et terram

20 et benedictus Deus excelsus quo protegente hostes in manibus tuis sunt et dedit ei decimas ex omnibus

21 dixit autem rex Sodomorum ad Abram da mihi animas cetera tolle tibi

22 qui respondit ei levo manum meam ad Dominum Deum excelsum possessorem caeli et terrae

23 quod a filo subteminis usque ad corrigiam caligae non accipiam ex omnibus quae tua sunt ne dicas ego ditavi Abram

24 exceptis his quae comederunt iuvenes et partibus virorum qui venerunt mecum Aner Eschol et Mambre isti accipient partes suas

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.