# Genesis 14 đ: Abram Rescues Lot
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đ Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#đ Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#đ¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#đ§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#âď¸ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#đ Key Observations / đ Life Application]]
> [[#đŹ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#âď¸ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#đ Related Passages]]
> [[#đ Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#đ Internal Notes]]
## đ Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
### The Blessing of Victory for Godâs People
[[#Verse 01.]] At that time Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nationsÂ
[[#Verse 02.]] went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).Â
[[#Verse 03.]] These last five kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).Â
[[#Verse 04.]] For twelve years they had served Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.Â
[[#Verse 05.]] 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,Â
[[#Verse 06.]]Â and the Horites in their hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is near the desert.Â
[[#Verse 07.]] 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 Hazezon Tamar.
[[#Verse 08.]]Â Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and prepared for battle. In the Valley of Siddim they metÂ
[[#Verse 09.]] Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar. Four kings fought against five.Â
[[#Verse 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.
[[#Verse 11.]] The four victorious kings took all the possessions and food of Sodom and Gomorrah and left.
[[#Verse 12.]] They also took Abramâs nephew Lot and his possessions when they left, for Lot was living in Sodom.
[[#Verse 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.)Â
[[#Verse 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.Â
[[#Verse 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.Â
[[#Verse 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.
[[#Verse 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 Kingâs Valley).Â
[[#Verse 18.]] Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (Now he was the priest of the Most High God.)Â
[[#Verse 19.]] He blessed Abram, saying, âBlessed be Abram by the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth.
[[#Verse 20.]] Worthy of praise is the Most High God,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.â
Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
[[#Verse 21.]] Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, âGive me the people and take the possessions for yourself.âÂ
[[#Verse 22.]] But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, âI raise my hand to the Lord, the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth, and vowÂ
[[#Verse 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, âIt is I who made Abram rich.âÂ
[[#Verse 24.]] I will take nothing except compensation for what the young men have eaten. As for the share of the men who went with meâAner, Eshcol, and Mamreâlet them take their share.â
## đ Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
###### Verse 23.
###### Verse 24.
## đ¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. This is the first war recorded in the Bible.
2. Four kings from the east fought five kings from the area of the Dead Sea (14:9).
3. Abram is called "the Hebrew" (14:13), the first time the word appears in the Bible.
4. Abram's household had 318 trained men (14:14), showing how large it was.
5. Abram chased the kings as far north as Dan (14:14).
6. The Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits (14:10), consistent with the bitumen found around the Dead Sea.
7. Melchizedek means "king of righteousness," and Salem means "peace" (Hebrews 7:2).
8. Salem is generally identified with Jerusalem (Psalm 76:2).
9. This is the first tithe mentioned in the Bible (14:20).
10. Melchizedek appears only here, in Psalm 110:4, and in Hebrews 5 to 7.
## đ§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## âď¸ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is our great High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, the King of righteousness and King of peace (Hebrews 7:1-3). Like Melchizedek, He brings bread and wine and blesses His people (14:18-19).
## đ Key Observations / đ Life Application
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đŹ Discussion Questions
1. Abram rescued Lot even though Lot had chosen poorly (14:14). What does that teach about loving difficult people?
2. Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything (14:20). Why do you think he responded with generosity?
3. Abram refused the king of Sodom's reward (14:22-23). Why does it matter where we get our security?
## âď¸ Key Verses to Remember
- đ verse 14: Abram leads 318 trained men to rescue Lot.
- đ verses 18-20: Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, blesses Abram.
- đ verse 23: Abram refuses anything from the king of Sodom.
## đ Related Passages
- đ [[Hebrews 07#Verse 01.|Hebrews 7:1-17]] - Jesus, a priest in the order of Melchizedek.
- đ [[Psalm 110#Verse 04.|Psalm 110:4]] - A priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
- đ [[Psalm 76#Verse 02.|Psalm 76:2]] - God's dwelling in Salem.
- đ [[Hebrews 05#Verse 06.|Hebrews 5:6-10]] - Christ appointed as High Priest.
- đ [[Genesis 12#Verse 03.|Genesis 12:3]] - Those who bless Abram will be blessed.
## đ Devotional Reflection
đ SOAP: [[Genesis 14- SOAP|The Lord is the Blessing]]
## đ Internal Notes