Genesis 14

In the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar; Arioch, king of Ellasar; Chedorlaomer, king of Elam; and Tidal, king of Goiim,

they made war with Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).

All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea).

They served Chedorlaomer for twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and struck the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim,

and the Horites in their Mount Seir, to El Paran, which is by the wilderness.

They returned, and came to En Mishpat (also called Kadesh), and struck all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that lived in Hazazon Tamar.

The king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) went out; and they set the battle in array against them in the valley of Siddim

against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.

Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell there. Those who remained fled to the hills.

They took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their food, and went their way.

They took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who lived in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner. They were allies of Abram.

When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his three hundred eighteen trained men, born in his house, and pursued as far as Dan.

He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, and the women also, and the other people.

The king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.

He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.

Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.

The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.”

Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to the LORD, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth,

that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’

I will accept nothing from you except that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion.”

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter records a military conflict among nine kings in the ancient Near East, culminating in Abram’s daring rescue of his nephew Lot after he was taken captive during the invasion. The chapter highlights God’s providential protection of Abram and his family, while also revealing Abram’s faith and integrity through his interaction with Melchizedek and his refusal to profit from the king of Sodom. It stands within the larger narrative of God’s unfolding promise to bless Abram and make him a blessing.

Flow.

Four eastern kings wage war against five Canaanite kings, defeating them and plundering Sodom, where Lot is taken captive.
A survivor brings news to Abram, who immediately mobilizes his private force, pursues the invaders, and defeats them in a nighttime raid.
Abram is met upon his return by two contrasting figures: Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blesses him, and the king of Sodom, who offers material reward.
Abram gives a tithe to Melchizedek and refuses any spoil from Sodom, affirming his reliance on God alone.

Connections.
Following chapter 13, in which Abram and Lot separate due to strife over land and Abram demonstrates generosity by allowing Lot first choice, chapter 14 shows the consequences of Lot’s choice to dwell in the fertile but morally compromised region of Sodom. When Lot is caught in the upheaval of war, Abram’s faithful intervention not only rescues his kin but also elevates his status as a man of courage and principle. This sets the stage for chapter 15, where God appears to Abram in a vision, reaffirming His covenant promise and recognizing Abram’s trust in divine provision over worldly gain.

What it teaches.
The encounter with Melchizedek, a priest of God Most High (El Elyon), affirms that true knowledge of God existed beyond Abram’s lineage and prefigures the eternal priesthood later associated with Christ (HC LD 25; cf. WCF 8.6). Abram’s tithe to Melchizedek and his oath to the LORD, “possessor of heaven and earth” (), reflect a theology of God as Creator and sovereign Owner of all, a truth echoed in WCF 4.1 and BC art. 12. His refusal to enrich himself from Sodom demonstrates that God’s chosen must not derive their blessing from ungodly alliances but from divine promise (WCF 7.1), setting a pattern of faith-led separation from the world’s corrupt systems.

Apply.
When God calls us to act, He equips us to stand faithfully, even among powers and choices that seem beyond our control.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.