Genesis 14: A Rescue, a Blessing, and a Refusal
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;
That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El–paran, which is by the wilderness.
And they returned, and came to En–mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezon–tamar.
And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
Genesis 14 presents a seemingly isolated incident of ancient warfare, yet it’s interwoven with significant themes of God's protection, covenant faithfulness, and the foreshadowing of Christ. This chapter, packed with action and surprising encounters, reveals much about Abram's character and God's unfolding plan.
War in Canaan: Lot's Unfortunate Circumstance (Genesis 14:1-12)
The chapter opens with a conflict between two alliances of kings. Four kings from the east (Elam, Shinar, Ellasar, and Goiim) who had previously held dominion over the region, clash with five kings of Canaanite city-states clustered around the Dead Sea (Genesis 14:1-2, 8-9). After twelve years of servitude, the five Canaanite kings rebelled, prompting the eastern kings to retaliate, marching south along the east side of the Jordan River, defeating every city and people group in their path (Genesis 14:5-7).
Tragically, Lot, Abram’s nephew, who had chosen to settle in Sodom (Genesis 13:12), finds himself caught in the crossfire. The eastern armies conquer the five kings, and in the process, they loot Sodom, taking its possessions and people, including Lot and his family as prisoners (Genesis 14:12). It wasn’t long before Lot’s choice of location brought him trouble.
Abram's Daring Rescue (Genesis 14:13-16)
News of Lot's capture reaches Abram (Genesis 14:13). Without hesitation, Abram, despite being over seventy-five years old (Genesis 12:4), gathers his 318 trained men and, allied with three Amorite brothers, sets out in pursuit of the victorious armies (Genesis 14:14). These weren't just any men; to take 318 men against the armies of four kings, they had better be “trained”! Abram pursues them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus (Genesis 14:15) – a journey of approximately 240 miles, by night.
Against all odds, Abram and his small force overtake the eastern kings, defeat them in a night attack, and recover all the captured people and possessions, including Lot and his family (Genesis 14:15-16). The only explanation for such a victory was God fulfilling his word to Abram—that those who hurt Abram were hurting God, and God himself would defend Abram. God wants to be our protector when circumstances have raided our lives and stolen our joy, our hope, our tomorrows. He can lead a rescue mission to bring them back.
Melchizedek: King of Righteousness and Peace (Genesis 14:17-20)
Upon Abram's return, he is met by two kings: the king of Sodom and a mysterious figure named Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:17-18). Melchizedek, whose name means "King of Righteousness," and whose city, Salem, suggests "peace" (the city of Jerusalem, for instance, means “city of peace.”), brings bread and wine and blesses Abram in the name of "God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth" (El Elyon) (Genesis 14:18-19). This name for God emphasizes his power and might. Literally, it’s a superlative, meaning “God, the highest.” It comes up in this context because God wanted to emphasize his control. He wanted Abram to know that the kings were never in charge of the situation; he was. The kings thought they were high until El Elyon got into the fight.
The peculiar thing about him is that he’s both a king and a priest. Kings rule over the people, while priests stand between the people and God. No Jew ever occupied both offices. This is why the author of Hebrews says that Jesus was a priest and a king in “the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 5:10). Jesus is the true and permanent King of Righteousness and Peace, and he is the great high priest who bridged the gap between God and humanity. Melchizedek is a prototype of the Son of God.
In response, Abram gives Melchizedek a tithe – a tenth of all the recovered possessions (Genesis 14:20). We see the first tithe here, as Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. The order here is crucial. Abram only gave Melchizedek his tithe after Melchizedek had blessed him (Genesis 14:19-20). In other words, Abram did not give to get God’s blessing; he gave because he had already been blessed by God. His giving was a response to what God had done. Since Jesus came in “the order of Melchizedek,” the tithe is still valid today as believers respond to the goodness of God in their lives (see Hebrews 7:1-17).
Abram's Refusal of Spoils (Genesis 14:21-24)
The king of Sodom, grateful for his rescue, offers Abram all the possessions, asking only for the return of his people (Genesis 14:21). Apparently the king of Sodom liked the sight of Melchizedek getting a tenth of Abram’s spoils, so he moved in to cut a deal with Abram too: Give me the people, but take the possessions for yourself. In other words, he wanted to make this a fifty-fifty split. But the king of Sodom had been on the losing end of this battle. He was one of the captives that Abram set free, yet he was trying to negotiate to make it look like he had something to do with the victory.
However, Abram refuses, vowing not to take even a thread or sandal strap from Sodom, so that no one could say, "I have made Abram rich" (Genesis 14:22-23). Abram responded by putting the king of Sodom in his place. He told the king that he would be keeping his own spoils (thank you very much), and wouldn’t touch even a thread or sandal strap or anything that belongs to him, because Abram wanted to make sure the king could never say, I made Abram rich (Genesis 14:23). The victory was God’s, and so God alone deserves the glory. This is a subtle reminder not to compromise with the world for the sake of economic or political gain. He only allows his Amorite allies to take their share of the spoils (Genesis 14:24).
Significance and Application
Genesis 14 highlights several key themes:
- God's Protection: God demonstrates his protection over Abram and his family, orchestrating a victory against seemingly insurmountable odds. With El Elyon in your life, the “kings” of sin, darkness, and temptation don’t stand a chance.
- Covenant Faithfulness: Abram's actions reflect his faith in God's promises and his commitment to righteousness.
- Foreshadowing of Christ: Melchizedek serves as a prefigurement of Jesus Christ, the King of Righteousness and High Priest.
- Separation from the World: Abram's refusal of Sodom's wealth demonstrates the importance of maintaining a separation from the corrupting influences of the world.
This chapter encourages us to trust in God's protection, to live righteously, and to recognize Jesus as our ultimate King and Priest. It also reminds us to be wary of compromising our values for worldly gain, and to give God the glory for all our victories.
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;
That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El–paran, which is by the wilderness.
And they returned, and came to En–mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezon–tamar.
And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
Genesis 14 presents a seemingly isolated incident of ancient warfare, yet it’s interwoven with significant themes of God's protection, covenant faithfulness, and the foreshadowing of Christ. This chapter, packed with action and surprising encounters, reveals much about Abram's character and God's unfolding plan.
War in Canaan: Lot's Unfortunate Circumstance (Genesis 14:1-12)
The chapter opens with a conflict between two alliances of kings. Four kings from the east (Elam, Shinar, Ellasar, and Goiim) who had previously held dominion over the region, clash with five kings of Canaanite city-states clustered around the Dead Sea (Genesis 14:1-2, 8-9). After twelve years of servitude, the five Canaanite kings rebelled, prompting the eastern kings to retaliate, marching south along the east side of the Jordan River, defeating every city and people group in their path (Genesis 14:5-7).
Tragically, Lot, Abram’s nephew, who had chosen to settle in Sodom (Genesis 13:12), finds himself caught in the crossfire. The eastern armies conquer the five kings, and in the process, they loot Sodom, taking its possessions and people, including Lot and his family as prisoners (Genesis 14:12). It wasn’t long before Lot’s choice of location brought him trouble.
Abram's Daring Rescue (Genesis 14:13-16)
News of Lot's capture reaches Abram (Genesis 14:13). Without hesitation, Abram, despite being over seventy-five years old (Genesis 12:4), gathers his 318 trained men and, allied with three Amorite brothers, sets out in pursuit of the victorious armies (Genesis 14:14). These weren't just any men; to take 318 men against the armies of four kings, they had better be “trained”! Abram pursues them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus (Genesis 14:15) – a journey of approximately 240 miles, by night.
Against all odds, Abram and his small force overtake the eastern kings, defeat them in a night attack, and recover all the captured people and possessions, including Lot and his family (Genesis 14:15-16). The only explanation for such a victory was God fulfilling his word to Abram—that those who hurt Abram were hurting God, and God himself would defend Abram. God wants to be our protector when circumstances have raided our lives and stolen our joy, our hope, our tomorrows. He can lead a rescue mission to bring them back.
Melchizedek: King of Righteousness and Peace (Genesis 14:17-20)
Upon Abram's return, he is met by two kings: the king of Sodom and a mysterious figure named Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:17-18). Melchizedek, whose name means "King of Righteousness," and whose city, Salem, suggests "peace" (the city of Jerusalem, for instance, means “city of peace.”), brings bread and wine and blesses Abram in the name of "God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth" (El Elyon) (Genesis 14:18-19). This name for God emphasizes his power and might. Literally, it’s a superlative, meaning “God, the highest.” It comes up in this context because God wanted to emphasize his control. He wanted Abram to know that the kings were never in charge of the situation; he was. The kings thought they were high until El Elyon got into the fight.
The peculiar thing about him is that he’s both a king and a priest. Kings rule over the people, while priests stand between the people and God. No Jew ever occupied both offices. This is why the author of Hebrews says that Jesus was a priest and a king in “the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 5:10). Jesus is the true and permanent King of Righteousness and Peace, and he is the great high priest who bridged the gap between God and humanity. Melchizedek is a prototype of the Son of God.
In response, Abram gives Melchizedek a tithe – a tenth of all the recovered possessions (Genesis 14:20). We see the first tithe here, as Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. The order here is crucial. Abram only gave Melchizedek his tithe after Melchizedek had blessed him (Genesis 14:19-20). In other words, Abram did not give to get God’s blessing; he gave because he had already been blessed by God. His giving was a response to what God had done. Since Jesus came in “the order of Melchizedek,” the tithe is still valid today as believers respond to the goodness of God in their lives (see Hebrews 7:1-17).
Abram's Refusal of Spoils (Genesis 14:21-24)
The king of Sodom, grateful for his rescue, offers Abram all the possessions, asking only for the return of his people (Genesis 14:21). Apparently the king of Sodom liked the sight of Melchizedek getting a tenth of Abram’s spoils, so he moved in to cut a deal with Abram too: Give me the people, but take the possessions for yourself. In other words, he wanted to make this a fifty-fifty split. But the king of Sodom had been on the losing end of this battle. He was one of the captives that Abram set free, yet he was trying to negotiate to make it look like he had something to do with the victory.
However, Abram refuses, vowing not to take even a thread or sandal strap from Sodom, so that no one could say, "I have made Abram rich" (Genesis 14:22-23). Abram responded by putting the king of Sodom in his place. He told the king that he would be keeping his own spoils (thank you very much), and wouldn’t touch even a thread or sandal strap or anything that belongs to him, because Abram wanted to make sure the king could never say, I made Abram rich (Genesis 14:23). The victory was God’s, and so God alone deserves the glory. This is a subtle reminder not to compromise with the world for the sake of economic or political gain. He only allows his Amorite allies to take their share of the spoils (Genesis 14:24).
Significance and Application
Genesis 14 highlights several key themes:
- God's Protection: God demonstrates his protection over Abram and his family, orchestrating a victory against seemingly insurmountable odds. With El Elyon in your life, the “kings” of sin, darkness, and temptation don’t stand a chance.
- Covenant Faithfulness: Abram's actions reflect his faith in God's promises and his commitment to righteousness.
- Foreshadowing of Christ: Melchizedek serves as a prefigurement of Jesus Christ, the King of Righteousness and High Priest.
- Separation from the World: Abram's refusal of Sodom's wealth demonstrates the importance of maintaining a separation from the corrupting influences of the world.
This chapter encourages us to trust in God's protection, to live righteously, and to recognize Jesus as our ultimate King and Priest. It also reminds us to be wary of compromising our values for worldly gain, and to give God the glory for all our victories.