War Among the Kings

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.

Genesis 14:1–2 (KJV)

The text records a war between several kings, including:

• Amraphel

• Arioch

• Chedorlaomer

• Tidal

These kings fought against the kings of several cities including:

• Sodom

• Gomorrah

• Admah

• Zeboiim

• Bela (Zoar)

Lot Is Taken Captive

“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.”

Genesis 14:11–12 (KJV)

The text states that Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, was taken along with the goods.

Abram Prepares to Rescue Lot

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.

Genesis 14:13–14 (KJV)

The text records that Abram armed 318 trained servants from his household and pursued the captors.

Abram Defeats the Kings

“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.”

Genesis 14:15–16 (KJV)

Abram recovered:

• Lot

• The goods

• The women

• The people

Abram Meets Melchizedek

“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.”

Genesis 14:18–19 (KJV)

Abram met Melchizedek, described as:

• King of Salem

• Priest of the most high God

“And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”

Genesis 14:20 (KJV)

The text records that Abram gave Melchizedek tithes.

Abram and the King of Sodom

“And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.”

Genesis 14:21 (KJV)

“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:

Genesis 14:22–23 (KJV)

Abram stated that he would not take the goods.

Biblical Record Summary (KJV)

According to Genesis 14 (KJV):

• Several kings made war with the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, and other cities.

• Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, was taken captive.

• Abram armed 318 trained servants from his household and pursued the captors.

• Abram defeated the kings and recovered Lot, the goods, the women, and the people.

• Abram met Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the most high God.

• Abram gave Melchizedek tithes.

• Abram refused to take goods offered by the king of Sodom.