Genesis 14 - The Battle of Kings, Redemption of Lot, and the Mystery of Melchizedek
Genesis 14 introduces the first recorded war in the Bible, in which Abram wages battle to rescue Lot. The chapter also reveals the mysterious figure of Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God. This event foreshadows Christ’s priesthood and introduces the concept of tithing in scripture.
Human Rebellion & God’s Sovereign Plan
Author: Moses, traditionally credited as the writer of Genesis
Book Placement: First book of the Bible, foundational to Israel’s covenantal history
Language: Originally written in Hebrew
Verse Count: 24 verses
Historical Significance: This chapter records the first war in the Bible, the first mention of a priesthood outside of Israel, and the first act of tithing.
Theological Themes:
🔹 War and Deliverance – Abram fights for Lot’s freedom, mirroring Christ’s redemption.
🔹 The Mystery of Melchizedek – A priest-king who foreshadows Christ’s eternal priesthood.
🔹 Tithing as Worship – Abram gives a tithe, establishing a divine principle before the Law.
Genesis Chapter 14 Overview
Genesis 14:1-12 – The War of Kings and Lot’s Capture
📖 “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…”
🔎 These kings represent powerful empires. Amraphel (Shinar) is often linked to Babylon, foreshadowing future conflicts between God’s people and Babylonian rule.
📖 “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).”
🔎 Five rebellious kings defied the dominant power of Chedorlaomer. Their cities were morally corrupt, showing that rebellion against oppression does not always mean righteousness.
📖 “Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.”
🔎 The number 13 often represents rebellion in scripture (Genesis 10:8-10, Revelation 13). This uprising mirrors humanity’s rebellion against divine authority.
📖 “And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims… and the Amorites that dwelt in Hazezontamar.”
🔎 The Rephaims were a race of giants, possibly linked to the Nephilim (Genesis 6:4). Their defeat shows that earthly strength is no match for divine judgment.
📖 “And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.”
🔎 The judgment upon these wicked cities foreshadows their later destruction in Genesis 19. Sin often leads to bondage and loss.
📖 “And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.”
🔎 Lot’s worldly choice placed him in the wrong company, leading to his capture. This serves as a warning about the dangers of compromising with sin.
Genesis 14:13-16 – Abram’s Rescue Mission
📖 “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.”
🔎 Abram is referred to as “the Hebrew” for the first time, distinguishing him as a man set apart by God. The term “Hebrew” (עִבְרִי Ivri) means one who has crossed over, symbolizing Abram’s separation from worldly systems. His alliances with Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner indicate that righteous influence can extend beyond one’s own people.
📖 “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.”
🔎 Abram’s response was immediate and bold—he did not hesitate to rescue Lot despite being outnumbered. His 318 trained men symbolize faith over military might, much like Gideon’s small army in Judges 7. This highlights that God’s power, not human numbers, determines victory.
📖 “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.”
🔎 Abram’s strategy was tactical and inspired.
- Dividing his forces – A surprise attack method.
- Striking at night – Used effectively later by Gideon and other biblical leaders.
- Pursuing the enemy beyond Damascus – Total victory, ensuring the captives were completely freed.
This demonstrates Godly wisdom in battle—victory often requires strategy, not just strength.
📖 “And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.”
🔎 Abram’s mission was a complete success. Not only did he rescue Lot, but he recovered everything the enemy had stolen. This mirrors Christ’s redemptive mission, where He rescues us from bondage to sin and restores what was lost.
Genesis 14:17-20 – Melchizedek’s Blessing and the First Tithe
📖 “And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.”
🔎 Two kings approached Abram after his victory—the king of Sodom and Melchizedek, king of Salem. This moment symbolizes a spiritual choice:
- The king of Sodom represents worldly temptation, offering earthly rewards.
- Melchizedek represents God’s divine blessing and priesthood.
This foreshadows how believers must choose between the riches of the world and the blessings of God.
📖 “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.”
🔎 Melchizedek is a mysterious figure, described as both a king and a priest—a combination that was not permitted in Israel under the Law (except in Christ).
- King of Salem – “Salem” means peace, making him the King of Peace (a title later given to Jesus).
- Brought forth bread and wine – A clear foreshadowing of Christ’s Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28).
- Priest of the Most High God – His priesthood predates the Levitical system, pointing to Christ’s eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7:1-3).
📖 “And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth.”
🔎 Melchizedek blesses Abram, affirming that Abram’s victory came from God, not his military might.
- “Possessor of heaven and earth” – Declares God’s absolute sovereignty.
- Blessing before riches – Abram receives a spiritual blessing first before being offered material wealth (contrast this with the king of Sodom’s later offer).
📖 “And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”
🔎 Abram responds to Melchizedek by giving a tithe—one-tenth of all his spoils.
- First mention of tithing – This predates the Law of Moses, showing tithing is a principle of faith, not legalism.
- Tithing as worship – Abram’s offering was a thanksgiving gift, acknowledging that victory comes from God.
- New Testament connection – Hebrews 7 explains that Melchizedek’s priesthood is eternal, and Jesus is our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:17).
Genesis 14:21-24 – Abram Rejects the King of Sodom’s Offer
📖 “And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.”
🔎 The king of Sodom’s offer reveals a worldly mindset—he values possessions over people.
- “Give me the persons” – He is concerned with regaining power over his people, rather than their well-being.
- “Take the goods to thyself” – He assumes Abram will desire earthly wealth as a reward for victory.
This moment tests Abram’s faith and integrity, as he must decide between God’s provision and the riches of a corrupt kingdom.
📖 “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.”
🔎 Abram publicly declares his allegiance to God, refusing to associate with Sodom’s wealth.
- “I have lift up mine hand” – This phrase signifies an oath of dedication to God.
- “The most high God, possessor of heaven and earth” – Abram acknowledges God alone as his source, not human rulers.
This statement aligns with Melchizedek’s earlier blessing (Genesis 14:19), reinforcing that true provision comes from God.
📖 “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.”
🔎 Abram refuses even the smallest portion of Sodom’s wealth to prevent any misinterpretation of God’s blessing.
- “Not take from a thread to a shoelatchet” – A Hebrew idiom meaning absolute rejection of worldly gain.
- “Lest thou shouldest say” – Abram ensures his success is attributed to God, not Sodom’s corrupt king.
This mirrors how believers must avoid compromising with worldly influences for temporary gain.
📖 “Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.”
🔎 Abram’s final response shows wisdom and fairness.
- “Save only that which the young men have eaten” – Basic needs were met, but no excess wealth was taken.
- “The portion of the men which went with me” – Abram respects his allies’ rights, allowing them to decide for themselves.
This demonstrates Abram’s personal integrity while still honoring agreements with others.
Genesis Chapter 14 - Notes & KJV
📜 Overview: War, Redemption, and a King-Priest’s Blessing
1️⃣ The War of Kings – Four kings wage war against five, leading to Lot’s capture.
2️⃣ Abram’s Rescue Mission – Abram gathers 318 trained men and defeats the enemy.
3️⃣ The Encounter with Melchizedek – The priest-king of Salem blesses Abram.
4️⃣ Abram’s Refusal of the King of Sodom’s Wealth – A demonstration of faith and integrity.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Righteousness Fights for the Oppressed – Abram risks his life to rescue Lot, just as Christ rescues sinners from the bondage of sin. His selfless actions demonstrate that righteousness is not passive but actively defends those in need. Do we stand up for truth even when it is costly?
🔑 Faith Over Numbers Leads to Victory – Abram’s 318 men defeated powerful armies, emphasizing that God’s power, not human strength, secures the victory. This mirrors Gideon’s army in Judges 7, showing that trusting in God’s provision always triumphs over worldly might.
🔑 Melchizedek’s Mystery & Christ’s Eternal Priesthood – Melchizedek, a king and priest, foreshadows Jesus’ eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7:17). He brings bread and wine, prefiguring Christ’s Last Supper. His priesthood is divine, without beginning or end, pointing to Jesus as our forever mediator.
🔑 Tithing as an Act of Worship, Not Obligation – Abram’s tithe to Melchizedek predates the Mosaic Law, showing that giving to God is an act of gratitude and faith, not legalism. This principle is echoed in 2 Corinthians 9:7—giving should be cheerful and voluntary, not forced.
🔑 Worldly Riches vs. God’s Provision – Abram rejects the wealth of Sodom, ensuring that his blessings come from God alone. This parallels Jesus’ rejection of Satan’s offer of worldly kingdoms (Matthew 4:8-10). We, too, must decide whether we seek temporary rewards or eternal riches in Christ.
🔑 Spiritual Warfare Requires Pursuing the Enemy Until Total Victory – Abram chased the enemy beyond Damascus, ensuring a complete rescue. This reflects spiritual persistence—we must not settle for partial victories over sin but fight until we are fully free (Ephesians 6:12).
🔑 Aligning with the Right Kingdom Matters – Abram encountered two kings after battle—the king of Sodom (worldly corruption) and Melchizedek (divine blessing). This moment required discernment, just as believers today must choose between the systems of the world and the kingdom of God.
🔑 God’s Blessing Is Greater Than the World’s Offers – Abram received a blessing before an offer of riches, teaching that God’s spiritual rewards outweigh earthly temptations. His choice reminds us to seek God first, knowing He provides all we need (Matthew 6:33).
Prophetic Patterns
🔮 The War Between Kingdoms – The battle between Chedorlaomer’s coalition and the five kings mirrors the spiritual war between God’s kingdom and the world’s corrupt systems. This foreshadows end-time conflicts where earthly powers war against God’s people (Revelation 16:14-16).
🔮 Abram as a Type of Christ the Deliverer – Abram rescues Lot from captivity, just as Jesus redeems humanity from the bondage of sin (Luke 4:18). His mission prefigures Christ’s ultimate victory over Satan.
🔮 Lot’s Captivity as a Picture of Sin’s Consequence – Lot’s worldly choices placed him in danger, illustrating how choosing the world over God leads to spiritual enslavement (James 4:4). His rescue symbolizes redemption through grace.
🔮 Melchizedek as a Type of Christ – A king-priest of righteousness and peace who brings bread and wine, foreshadowing Christ’s eternal priesthood and the Last Supper (Hebrews 7:1-3, Matthew 26:26-28).
🔮 The First Tithe & Christ’s Kingship – Abram’s tithe to Melchizedek prefigures giving to Christ, our High Priest. This foreshadows believers offering their lives and resources to Jesus, the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16).
🔮 Rejecting the World’s Wealth – Abram’s refusal of Sodom’s riches reflects Jesus rejecting Satan’s offer of earthly kingdoms (Matthew 4:8-10). This teaches dependence on God, not worldly prosperity.
🔮 Bread & Wine: A Covenant of Peace – Melchizedek offers bread and wine, a direct foreshadowing of Christ’s New Covenant in His blood (Luke 22:19-20). Just as Abram was blessed, believers receive spiritual blessings through Christ’s sacrifice.
🔮 The Greater Priesthood – Melchizedek’s priesthood is superior to the Levitical system, just as Christ’s priesthood supersedes the Old Covenant (Hebrews 7:17). This points to Jesus as our eternal mediator before God.
🔮 Choosing Between Two Kings – Abram encounters two kings after battle:
- Melchizedek (God’s kingdom) – Offers blessing and spiritual authority.
- The king of Sodom (the world’s system) – Offers earthly wealth and compromise.
This moment represents the believer’s choice between allegiance to Christ or the world (Joshua 24:15).
Time & Rebellion
⚖️ Rebellion Against Chedorlaomer and Its Consequences – The five kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, and their allies served Chedorlaomer for 12 years but rebelled in the 13th year.
- The number 13 in Scripture often represents rebellion (Genesis 10:8-10, Revelation 13).
- Their failure to submit without God’s intervention led to destruction and captivity, symbolizing how human rebellion against God results in enslavement to sin.
⚖️ Lot’s Choice to Dwell in Sodom Leads to His Capture – Lot initially pitched his tent near Sodom (Genesis 13:12), but by Genesis 14, he is living in the city.
- His progression from dwelling near sin to being consumed by it reflects how compromise with the world leads to bondage (Romans 6:16).
- This mirrors Israel’s later exile due to their disobedience (2 Kings 17:7-23).
⚖️ Abram’s Immediate Response vs. Delayed Repentance – When Lot was captured, Abram acted immediately to rescue him, in contrast to how often people delay turning to God after falling into sin.
- This shows that God is always willing to rescue, but we must be willing to be saved (Isaiah 55:6-7).
- Lot was rescued but later returned to Sodom (Genesis 19), showing that some people repeatedly return to sin despite warnings.
⚖️ Sodom’s King vs. Melchizedek: A Test of Allegiance – The king of Sodom offers material wealth, while Melchizedek offers a blessing from God.
- This represents the ongoing spiritual battle between serving God vs. serving the world (Matthew 6:24).
- The world entices with riches, but true fulfillment comes from God’s blessing and eternal inheritance (Proverbs 10:22).
⚖️ Rejecting the World’s Riches: A Picture of Righteous Separation – Abram refuses to take even a shoelace from Sodom, ensuring that his success is attributed to God alone.
- This prefigures God’s call to separate from wickedness (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
- Choosing God over worldly gain is a constant theme in Scripture (Hebrews 11:24-26).
Dual Fulfillment
🔁 Immediate Fulfillment:
- Abram physically rescues Lot from captivity, demonstrating God’s power to deliver His people from oppression.
- The defeat of Chedorlaomer’s coalition shows that earthly empires rise and fall, but God’s sovereignty remains.
- Melchizedek blesses Abram, establishing a priesthood before the Levitical system, which points to a greater priesthood to come.
🔁 Future Fulfillment:
- Abram’s rescue of Lot mirrors Christ’s redemption of believers—delivering us from sin’s captivity (Luke 4:18).
- Melchizedek foreshadows Jesus, our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 7:17), offering bread and wine as a symbol of the New Covenant (Luke 22:19-20).
- The choice between Melchizedek and Sodom’s king represents the believer’s choice between Christ and the world (Matthew 16:26).
- The destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19) foreshadows final judgment (Revelation 18)—those who remain in the world’s system will perish, but those who align with God will be saved.
🔥 This passage is a prophetic picture of Christ’s victory, our spiritual rescue, and the final judgment of the wicked!
Historical & Cultural Context
🏺 Ancient Warfare & the War of Kings – The battle in Genesis 14 reflects the power struggles of Mesopotamian kings in the Bronze Age. It was common for stronger rulers to demand tribute from weaker city-states, as Chedorlaomer did before the five kings rebelled.
- Warfare during this period often involved coalitions of kings fighting to maintain dominance over trade routes and valuable land.
- The mention of Damascus and other key locations aligns with historical records of ancient Near Eastern conflicts.
🏺 Nomadic Warfare & Abram’s Strategy – Unlike the great kings, Abram was a nomadic leader, yet he successfully defeated a superior force using trained men from his household (Genesis 14:14).
- 318 trained men may seem small, but in ancient times, elite warriors were often better prepared than larger conscripted armies.
- This victory demonstrates that God’s hand, not military size, determined the outcome.
🏺 The Role of City-States & Sodom’s Political Power – Sodom was one of five city-states that formed a coalition but was ultimately defeated.
- These cities were wealthy yet corrupt, controlling fertile plains and trade routes near the Dead Sea.
- Their reliance on political alliances rather than God’s protection ultimately led to captivity, and later, their complete destruction in Genesis 19.
🏺 Melchizedek’s Dual Role as King & Priest – In the ancient world, it was unheard of for a king to also be a priest, making Melchizedek’s role highly unusual.
- Most pagan cultures separated religious and political authority, but Melchizedek prefigures Christ, the true King-Priest (Hebrews 7:1-3).
- Salem (later known as Jerusalem) was already considered a holy place, suggesting that true worship of the Most High God existed before Israel’s priesthood.
🏺 Tithing in Ancient Cultures – Giving a tenth of spoils to a deity or ruler was common in Mesopotamian cultures, but Abram’s tithe to Melchizedek stands apart because it was an act of worship, not tribute.
- This voluntary offering set a precedent for honoring God’s provision before it was required under Mosaic Law.
- Unlike other cultures where tithes were demanded by kings or gods, Abram’s tithe was a freewill acknowledgment of divine blessing.
Final Reflection & Life Application
📌 Are we aligning with God’s kingdom or compromising with the world? Abram faced a choice between two kings—one representing God’s blessing and another representing worldly wealth. Do we make choices that prioritize God’s will over temporary rewards?
📌 Do we trust God to deliver us, as Abram trusted in battle? Abram’s faith led him to victory, despite being outnumbered. Do we trust in God’s strength over human strategies when facing life’s battles?
📌 Are we positioned in a place of spiritual security, or are we too close to destruction? Lot’s decision to dwell in Sodom led to his eventual captivity. Are we living too close to compromise, or are we walking in obedience to God’s calling?
Like Abram, we must stand for righteousness, trust in God’s provision, and reject worldly temptations. Victory is not found in human strength but in God’s power and promises!
📖 Psalm 34:17 – “The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”
🔥 Our Call to Action: Stay rooted in God’s promises! Victory belongs to those who stand with Him, reject worldly corruption, and walk in faith.
Abram Rescues Lot
Gen 14:1 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;
Gen 14:2 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.
Gen 14:3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
Gen 14:4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
Gen 14:5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
Gen 14:6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.
Gen 14:7 And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.
Gen 14:8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
Gen 14:9 With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
Gen 14:10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
Gen 14:11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
Gen 14:12 And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
Gen 14:13 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.
Gen 14:14 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.
Gen 14:15 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.
Gen 14:16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
Abram Blessed by Melchizedek
Gen 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.
Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Gen 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Gen 14:21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
Gen 14:22 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,
Gen 14:23 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:
Gen 14:24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
Date Written
1446-1406 BC
Written By
Moses (written under divine inspiration)
Language
Hebrew
Verses
24