Genesis 14

Genesis 14 recounts a major war where four Eastern kings defeat five kings of the Jordan plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah, capturing Lot, Abram's nephew. Abram, upon learning of Lot's captivity, mobilizes his 318 trained servants and confederates, pursuing and defeating the victorious kings by night to recover all the captives and goods. Afterward, Abram is blessed by Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of the most high God, to whom Abram gives tithes. Abram then nobly refuses any spoils from the King of Sodom, affirming his reliance on the Most High God.

The chapter opens with a confederation of four Eastern kings, led by Chedorlaomer, waging war against five kings of the Jordan plain who had rebelled after twelve years of servitude. These Eastern kings systematically conquer various peoples before engaging the Jordan kings in the Vale of Siddim, where the latter are routed and their cities plundered. Among the captives is Lot, Abram's nephew, who dwelt in Sodom. Informed of Lot's capture, Abram, with 318 trained servants and his confederates, pursues the victorious kings, defeating them by a night assault and recovering all the plunder, including Lot. Returning from the slaughter, Abram is met by Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of the most high God, who blesses Abram, and to whom Abram gives a tenth of all. Finally, Abram refuses to take any spoil from the King of Sodom, declaring his oath to the LORD, the most high God, lest he be credited with making Abram rich, allowing only his confederates to take their due portion.

Genesis chapter 14 recounts a pivotal conflict involving regional powers and Abram's subsequent intervention. It begins by introducing a coalition of four powerful Eastern kings, led by Chedorlaomer of Elam, who initiate a punitive expedition against five rebellious kings of the Jordan plain, including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. These Jordan kings had served Chedorlaomer for twelve years before their rebellion in the thirteenth. In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and his allies systematically conquer various peoples, such as the Rephaims, Zuzims, Emims, Horites, Amalekites, and Amorites, as they advance towards the Jordan valley. The climactic battle occurs in the Vale of Siddim, where the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah are defeated and flee into slimepits, leading to the plunder of their cities. Among those taken captive is Lot, Abram's nephew, who resided in Sodom. Upon learning of Lot's capture from an escapee, Abram, identified as "the Hebrew" and dwelling in the plain of Mamre, swiftly mobilizes his household. He arms 318 trained servants, born in his own house, and, joined by his confederates Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, pursues the victorious Eastern kings as far as Dan. Employing a strategic night assault, Abram divides his forces, smites the kings, and pursues them further to Hobah, near Damascus. This decisive action results in the recovery of all the goods, Lot, his possessions, the women, and the other people who had been taken captive. Following this victory, Abram is met by two figures: the King of Sodom and Melchizedek, King of Salem. Melchizedek, uniquely identified as "the priest of the most high God," brings forth bread and wine and blesses Abram, acknowledging the Most High God as the possessor of heaven and earth and the one who delivered Abram's enemies into his hand. In response, Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of all the spoils. The King of Sodom then offers Abram all the recovered goods, asking only for the persons. However, Abram steadfastly refuses to take any spoil, from "a thread even to a shoelatchet," swearing an oath to the LORD, the most high God, to prevent the King of Sodom from claiming to have enriched him. Abram only permits his confederates, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, to take their rightful portion.