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In the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of the nations, it came to pass,
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that these kings made 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.
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All these latter kings joined together and came to the Valley of Siddim, that is, the Salt Sea.
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Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
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In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer came, and the kings who were with him, and they defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim
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and the Horites in their hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is by the wilderness.
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Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat, that is, Kadesh, and struck all the territory of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who lived in Hazezon Tamar.
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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 drew up their battle lines against them in the Valley of Siddim,
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against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of the nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
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Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits. As the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah fled, they fell into them, and the rest fled to the hills.
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So the enemy took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their food, and went away.
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They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew, and his goods, and went away—for Lot was living in Sodom.
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Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and Aner, these were allies of Abram.
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When Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive, he armed his trained men, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen in all, and pursued them as far as Dan.
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He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and attacked them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
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He brought back all the goods, and also brought back Lot his nephew and his goods, as well as the women and the people.
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After Abram returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh, that is, the King’s Valley.
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Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High.
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And he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Maker of heaven and earth,
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and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
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And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.”
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But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn by the LORD, God Most High, Maker of heaven and earth:
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I will take nothing that is yours, not even a thread or a sandal strap, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’
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No, not for me! Only what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre—let them take their portion each.”
⚔️ Summary of Genesis 14
This chapter tells of the first great war in the Bible. Four kings from the east (including Kedorlaomer) fought against five local kings in the region of Sodom and Gomorrah. In that war, Sodom and Gomorrah were defeated, and Lot (who lived in Sodom) was taken captive together with his possessions.
When Abram heard that Lot had been taken captive, he acted at once. With 318 trained men from his household, he pursued the enemy as far as Dan and succeeded in defeating the enemy force, rescuing Lot, and bringing back all the plunder and the captives.
After that victory, Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, came to bless Abram. In return, Abram gave a tenth (a tithe) of all the spoils to Melchizedek.
The king of Sodom offered Abram all the spoils of war, but Abram refused, so that no one could say, “I have made Abram rich.” Abram wanted glory for God alone.
📖 Main Lessons
- Abram showed courage and love by defending his family.
- God can give victory to a few faithful people.
- Melchizedek portrays a holy priest-king who brings blessing.
- Abram lived with integrity — he refused wealth that was not from God.
- Tithing is a response of faith and gratitude for the Lord’s provision.
✨ Spiritual Meaning
- True faith is active in action, not only in prayer — like Abram who helped Lot.
- Melchizedek is a picture of Jesus: the High Priest and King of Peace (Hebrews 7).
- Abram lived not for earthly wealth, but for the honor of God.
- True victory is when we act in the will and strength of the Lord.
- Giving (tithing) is a form of honor and worship.
