Génesis 14

1 Y aconteció en aquellos días que Amrafel, rey de Sinar; Arioc, rey de Elasar; Quedorlaomer, rey de Elam, y Tidal, rey de los gentiles

2 hicieron guerra contra Bera, rey de Sodoma, y contra Birsa, rey de Gomorra, y contra Sinab, rey de Adma, y contra Semeber, rey de Zeboim, y contra el rey de Bela, la cual es Zoar

3 Todos éstos se juntaron en el valle de Sidim, que es el Mar Salado

4 Doce años habían servido a Quedorlaomer, y al decimotercer año se rebelaron

5 Y en el año decimocuarto vino Quedorlaomer, y los reyes que estaban de su parte, e hirieron a los refaítas en Asterot-carnaim; a los zuzitas en Ham, y a los emitas en Save-quiriataim

6 Y a los horeos en el monte de Seir, hasta la llanura de Parán, que está junto al desierto

7 Y volvieron y vinieron a En-mispat, que es Cades, e hirieron todas las labranzas de los amalecitas, y también al amorreo, que habitaba en Hazezon-tamar

8 Y salió el rey de Sodoma, y el rey de Gomorra, y el rey de Adma, y el rey de Zeboim, y el rey de Bela, que es Zoar, y ordenaron contra ellos batalla en el valle de Sidim

9 es a saber, contra Quedorlaomer, rey de Elam, y Tidal, rey de los gentiles, y Amrafel, rey de Sinar, y Arioc, rey de Elasar; cuatro reyes contra cinco

10 Y el valle de Sidim estaba lleno de pozos de betún; y huyeron el rey de Sodoma y el de Gomorra, y cayeron allí; y los demás huyeron al monte

11 Y tomaron toda la hacienda de Sodoma y de Gomorra, y todas sus provisiones, y se fueron

12 Tomaron también a Lot, hijo del hermano de Abram, que moraba en Sodoma, y a su hacienda porque él moraba en Sodoma, y se fueron

13 Y vino uno que escapó, y lo denunció a Abram el hebreo, que habitaba en el alcornocal de Mamre amorreo, hermano de Escol y hermano de Aner, los cuales estaban confederados con Abram

14 Y oyó Abram que su hermano era cautivo, y armó los criados de su confianza, nacidos de su casa, trescientos dieciocho, y los siguió hasta Dan

15 Y se derramó sobre ellos de noche él y sus siervos, y los hirió, y los siguió hasta Hoba, que está a la izquierda de Damasco

16 Y recobró todos los bienes, y también a Lot su hermano y su hacienda, y también las mujeres y el pueblo

17 Y salió el rey de Sodoma a recibirlo, cuando volvía de herir a Quedorlaomer y a los reyes que estaban con él, al valle de Save, que es el valle del Rey

18 Entonces Melquisedec, rey de Salem, sacó pan y vino; el cual era sacerdote del Dios alto

19 y le bendijo, y dijo: Bendito sea Abram del Dios alto, poseedor de los cielos y de la tierra

20 y bendito sea el Dios alto, que entregó tus enemigos en tu mano. Y Abram le dio los diezmos de todo

21 Entonces el rey de Sodoma dijo a Abram: Dame las personas, y toma para ti la hacienda

22 Y respondió Abram al rey de Sodoma: He alzado mi mano al SEÑOR Dios alto, poseedor de los cielos y de la tierra

23 que desde un hilo hasta la correa de un zapato, nada tomaré de todo lo que es tuyo, para que no digas: Yo enriquecí a Abram

24 Sacando solamente lo que comieron los jóvenes, y la parte de los varones que fueron conmigo, Aner, Escol, y Mamre; los cuales tomarán su parte

Génesis 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.