Genesis 14:4

4 They had been under the control of Chedorlaomer for twelve years, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him.

Genesis 14:4 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 14:4

Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer
King of Elam, who was of the race of Shem, and so the prophecy of Noah began to be fulfilled, that Canaan should be servant to Shem, ( Genesis 9:26 ) ; for the kings of Sodom and their subjects, were of the race of Ham in the line of Canaan, who had by violence seized on that part of the earth which was allotted to the sons of Shem, and therefore Chedorlaomer being a descendant of his claimed his right, and made them tributary to him, which they were for the space of twelve years: and in the thirteenth year they rebelled;
refused homage to Chedorlaomer and to pay tribute to him.

Genesis 14:4 In-Context

2 went to war against five other kings: Bera of Sodom, Birsha of Gomorrah, Shinab of Admah, Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (or Zoar).

3 These five kings had formed an alliance and joined forces in Siddim Valley, which is now the Dead Sea.

4 They had been under the control of Chedorlaomer for twelve years, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him.

5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and his allies came with their armies and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in the plain of Kiriathaim,

6 and the Horites in the mountains of Edom, pursuing them as far as Elparan on the edge of the desert.