Genesis 14 explained: Abram Rescues Lot and Meets Melchizedek

A revolt and a war (vv. 1-7)

Five small city kings near the Dead Sea had been under Kedorlaomer of Elam for twelve years and then rebelled, so he and three allied kings marched in and conquered peoples all along their route. Scholars have not been able to securely match these four kings to rulers known from other ancient records.

Sodom falls, Lot is taken (vv. 8-12)

The five kings lost, some of their men falling into the tar pits as they fled, and the invaders carried off goods, food and people. Lot was taken because he was living in Sodom, near where he had chosen to settle when he and Abram parted in the previous chapter.

Abram's night rescue (vv. 13-16)

Abram took 318 trained men born in his own household, along with local allies, chased the army far to the north, split his men and attacked at night. He brought back Lot, the other captives and all the goods, and a household that large shows how wealthy and powerful he had become.

Melchizedek's blessing (vv. 17-20)

Melchizedek, king of Salem (often identified with early Jerusalem) and a priest of God Most High, met Abram with bread and wine and blessed him, crediting God with the victory. Abram gave him a tenth of everything, and Christians later read this king who was also a priest as a picture of Jesus (Hebrews 7).

Abram refuses Sodom's reward (vv. 21-24)

The king of Sodom asked only for his people back and offered Abram the recovered goods. Abram swore he would take nothing, not even a thread or a sandal strap, so the king could never say "I made Abram rich," though he let his allies take their share.

Key verse: Genesis 14:20

Where Christians differ

Most Christians see Melchizedek as a real human king whose role foreshadows Jesus, while some have held that he was an actual appearance of Christ before his birth.

Something to think about

Abram risked a great deal for a nephew who had earlier chosen the better land for himself; what, in your view, makes someone worth going after when they are in trouble?