Abram rescues Lot and honors God Most High

14:1 At that time Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations 14:2 went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 14:3 These last five kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 14:4 For twelve years they had served Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 14:5 In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings who were his allies came and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim, 14:6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is near the desert. 14:7 Then they attacked En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh) again, and they conquered all the territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazazon Tamar. 14:8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and prepared for battle. In the Valley of Siddim they met 14:9 Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar. Four kings fought against five. 14:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits. When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell into them, but some survivors fled to the hills. 14:11 The four victorious kings took all the possessions and food of Sodom and Gomorrah and left. 14:12 They also took Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions when they left, for Lot was living in Sodom. 14:13 A fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, the brother of Eshcol and Aner. (All these were allied by treaty with Abram.) 14:14 When Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive, he mobilized his 318 trained men who had been born in his household, and he pursued the invaders as far as Dan. 14:15 Then, during the night, Abram divided his forces against them and defeated them. He chased them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 14:16 He retrieved all the stolen property. He also brought back his nephew Lot and his possessions, as well as the women and the rest of the people. 14:17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet Abram in the Valley of Shaveh (known as the King’s Valley). 14:18 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (Now he was the priest of the Most High God.) 14:19 He blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth. 14:20 Worthy of praise is the Most High God, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. 14:21 Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and take the possessions for yourself.” 14:22 But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I raise my hand to the Lord, the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth, and vow 14:23 that I will take nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal. That way you can never say, ‘It is I who made Abram rich.’ 14:24 I will take nothing except compensation for what the young men have eaten. As for the share of the men who went with me – Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre – let them take their share.”

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Abram hears that Lot has been taken captive. He gathers the men in his household, pursues the enemy, and brings Lot and the captured goods back. Then Melchizedek blesses Abram in the name of God Most High, and Abram gives him a tenth. When the king of Sodom offers Abram the goods, Abram refuses to take the credit or the wealth, so that only the Lord will be seen as the source of his success.

This passage shows both courage and faith. Lot had chosen to live near Sodom, and that choice led him into danger. Abram does not ignore his nephew’s trouble. He acts quickly, gathers the men in his household, and rescues him.

The battle is reported plainly. The text does not present Abram’s victory as human strength alone. Later in the chapter, Abram says that the Lord, the Most High God, is the one who brought victory. That keeps the focus on God’s rule over nations and kings.

Melchizedek is a priest-king of Salem. He blesses Abram, and he blesses God for giving the victory. Abram responds by giving him a tenth of everything. This shows honor, gratitude, and respect for God’s priestly servant.

The king of Sodom then offers Abram the goods of the battle. Abram refuses. He will not let Sodom say that it made him rich. He wants it clear that his blessing comes from God, not from a corrupt city. This guards Abram’s witness and keeps the Lord at the center of the story.

• God Most High rules over battles, kings, and outcomes.
• Abram shows faithful courage by rescuing Lot.
• Melchizedek blesses Abram as priest of God Most High.
• Abram gives a tenth to Melchizedek in gratitude.
• Abram refuses Sodom’s wealth so Sodom cannot claim credit for his success.

• Warning: do not seek blessing or identity from corrupt power.
• Warning: do not let worldly wealth take God’s place as the source of your confidence.
• Command/example: act with courage and responsibility for others in need.
• Command/example: give thanks to God for victory and provision.
• Promise/truth: the Lord can deliver His people from stronger enemies.

This story belongs to the Abrahamic promises. Abram is the bearer of God’s covenant line, and his rescue of Lot shows God’s care for that line. Melchizedek’s priest-king role later becomes important in Scripture, especially when later books speak of a greater priesthood. Abram’s refusal of Sodom’s wealth protects the promise from being tied to a sinful city and keeps the future blessing in God’s hands.

Believers should be willing to help family and others in real need. They should not measure success by money or by the approval of worldly powers. When God gives help, they should respond with gratitude and generosity. They should also be careful to give God the credit for any victory or provision.

• Lite Commentary
• In-depth Commentary