War Between Ancient Kings — Genesis 14 Daily Word

Genesis 14 chronicles an ancient war among kings of the Near East, where Chedorlaomer’s coalition defeats Sodom and Gomorrah, leading to Lot’s captivity and Abram’s heroic rescue mission.

Genesis 14 records a war among the kings of the ancient Near East. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah battle the coalition forces of Chedorlaomer in the Valley of Siddim and are defeated and plundered. In the course of these events, Lot, the nephew of Abram, is taken captive, which leads to Abram’s rescue mission.

The War Between the Kings of Sodom and Gomorrah

1. [Scripture]

[1] In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, [2] these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). [3] And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). [4] Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. [5] In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, [6] and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness. [7] Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh) and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who were dwelling in Hazazon-tamar. [8] Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim [9] with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five. [10] Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. [11] So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. [12] They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way. [13] Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. [14] When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. [15] And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. [16] Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people. (Gen 14:1-16, ESV)

2. [Daily Word]

# Chapter 14 describes how people who had scattered and settled in their own lands began to wage war against one another.

In verse 1, we read that Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar), as recorded in verse 2. This was, at its core, an event in which four powerful kings from the northeastern region of Mesopotamia came down to punish five cities of the southwestern plain, including Sodom. The reason they came to subdue these cities is recorded in verse 4: the five cities, including Sodom, had served Chedorlaomer king of Elam for twelve years but then rebelled against him.

So the kings formed a coalition and marched down together to conquer the rebellious peoples. As they advanced, verse 5 records that they defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, and the Horites in their hill country of Seir. Then, turning to the northwest in verse 7, they struck the Amalekites in the region of Kadesh and the Amorites who lived in Hazazon-tamar, before arriving at the Dead Sea to wage war against the four cities led by Sodom. However, Sodom was unable to resist and instead fell into panic and fear.

Verse 10 records this scene of terror: the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell into them, while the rest of the army fled to the hills. The four kings then seized all the possessions and food of Sodom and Gomorrah and carried them away.

# In the midst of all this, one particular event takes place.

Verse 12 tells us that they also took Lot, the nephew of Abram who was living in Sodom, and carried off his possessions. God clearly governs and oversees every aspect of our lives. Therefore, it is His desire that we live within the Lord, according to His will.

This is because it is only safe to live by what God has given us. Yet we often choose to live according to our own will rather than God’s will. There are times when our own thoughts take priority over God’s will and over our trust in Him. However, we must clearly remember [8] The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright. (Prov 21:8, ESV) — the moment we drift even slightly from God, our once-straight path begins to bend, and at times we may find ourselves facing twists and detours in life. Yet what is certain is that God loves us and holds us fast to the very end.

In verse 13, we read that one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. In verse 14, when Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive, he led out his 318 trained men born in his household and pursued as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. He brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people. God raised up Abram as a faithful servant.

This is just as it is written in [26] God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” (Acts 3:26, ESV) — God raised up Abram and sent him first to bless those around him, turning each of them from their wickedness, so that through Abram, Lot would be rescued and saved. In the same way, we must remember that Jesus came to this earth so that we might turn from the sins we commit and forsake our wickedness — and above all, so that we might believe in Jesus Christ and receive salvation, thus bringing us the blessing of God.

Therefore, following the example of Jesus, we too must remain spiritually awake in this world, the kingdom that God has established. We must be people who are awake and prepared. This is because, as [1] Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; (Ps 1:1, ESV) reminds us, God uses those who are blessed, and through that very service, He will supply all the material needs that bring Him glory and thanksgiving.

Let us remember that in order to live as those who are truly blessed by the Lord, we must live wholly before God and walk according to His will. With that in mind, let us all hope and pray together that we may remain fully awake in the Lord today as well.

Genesis 14, Ancient War, Sodom and Gomorrah, Rescue of Lot, Abram’s Faith

Originally published in Korean at bible2u.com