Genesis Chapter 14 - — Abram the Deliverer and Melchizedek | In His Image - Genesis Bible Study
These cities had served Chedorlaomer for twelve years but rebelled in the thirteenth year. In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and his allies invaded the region, defeating several peoples before confronting the rebellious kings in the vale of Siddim.
The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were defeated, and their cities were plundered. Lot, Abram's nephew, was living in Sodom, so he, his household, and his possessions were taken captive.
When Abram heard that Lot had been captured, he armed 318 trained servants born in his own house and pursued the invading army. Abram and his men attacked by night, defeated them, and recovered Lot, the people, and the possessions.
As Abram returned from victory, two kings came to meet him: the king of Sodom and Melchizedek king of Salem.
Melchizedek is introduced as:
“the priest of the most high God.” — Genesis 14:18 KJV
He brought forth bread and wine and blessed Abram in the name of “the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth.” Abram then gave Melchizedek tithes of all.
The king of Sodom offered Abram the recovered goods, but Abram refused to enrich himself from Sodom, declaring that no one would be able to say:
“I have made Abram rich.” — Genesis 14:23 KJV
Genesis 14 therefore reveals Abram not merely as a shepherd and sojourner, but as a deliverer, household leader, worshipper of the Most High God, and man increasingly learning to distinguish God's provision from worldly gain.
Genesis 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;
Genesis 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.
Genesis 14:3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
Genesis 14:4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
Genesis 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,
Genesis 14:6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.
Genesis 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.
Genesis 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;
Genesis 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.
Genesis 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.
Genesis 14:11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
Genesis 14:12 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
Genesis 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.
Genesis 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
Genesis 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.
Genesis 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.
Genesis 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.
Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Genesis 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
Genesis 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Genesis 14:21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
Genesis 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,
Genesis 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:
Genesis 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.
(KJV)
Observation Questions
Which king appears as the dominant ruler among the four eastern kings, and how long had the cities of the plain served him before rebelling?
What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah during the battle, and what happened to Lot?
How many trained servants did Abram arm after learning that Lot had been taken captive?
What strategy did Abram use against the enemy, and what was he able to recover?
Who was Melchizedek, what did he bring to Abram, and how did he bless him?
What did the king of Sodom offer Abram, and why did Abram refuse to take the goods for himself?
Reflection Questions
Lot's earlier decision to dwell near Sodom eventually placed him in the middle of its conflict. What does this teach you about the long-term consequences of the environments we choose?
Abram responded immediately when he learned that Lot had been captured. What does his response teach you about responsibility toward family and others in distress?
Abram had trained servants already prepared within his household. What does this teach you about the importance of preparation before a crisis occurs?
After Abram's victory, Melchizedek reminded him that God had delivered his enemies into his hand. How can success tempt us to forget the true source of our strength and victory?
Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth after receiving the blessing. What does this reveal about Abram's acknowledgment of God in his victory and possessions?
Why was Abram willing to rescue the people of Sodom but unwilling to become wealthy through the king of Sodom? What can this teach you about serving people without becoming entangled with ungodly systems?
Practical Application
Genesis 14 teaches several important lessons about choices, preparation, deliverance, worship, and integrity.
Your Environment Can Affect Your Battles
In Genesis 13, Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” By Genesis 14:12, Scripture says:
“for he dwelt in Sodom.”
Lot did not begin by choosing captivity. He chose what appeared to be prosperous land. Yet his proximity to Sodom eventually caused him to become caught in a battle that began before he ever arrived there.
We should therefore consider not only what a decision offers us, but also what it places us near.
Preparation Often Comes Before the Battle
Abram had:
“trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen.” — Genesis 14:14
They were already trained when the crisis occurred.
There is a spiritual principle here: the time to prepare is before the battle arrives. Prayer, knowledge of Scripture, spiritual discernment, godly character, and disciplined obedience should be developed continually—not only when trouble comes.
Abram Fought for Deliverance, Not Personal Gain
Abram did not go to war because someone had taken his possessions. He went because:
“he heard that his brother was taken captive.”
Here “brother” refers to his kinsman Lot.
Abram risked his resources to deliver someone else. This presents a powerful picture of intercession expressed through action—seeing another person's bondage and refusing to remain indifferent.
Victory Must Be Followed by Worship
One of the most important moments occurs after the battle.
Melchizedek declares:
“Blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.” — Genesis 14:20
Abram had fought the battle, but God received the glory for the victory.
This is an important lesson for believers. We may pray, prepare, work, endure, and fight faithfully, but when victory comes we must remember who gave the victory.
Melchizedek — King and Priest
Melchizedek suddenly appears in the narrative as:
King of Salem
and
Priest of the Most High God.
His name is associated with righteousness, while Hebrews later draws attention to his title as King of Salem, connecting Salem with peace (Hebrews 7:2).
Psalm 110:4 later declares:
“Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 5–7 applies this passage to Jesus Christ, explaining Christ's superior and enduring priesthood.
We should therefore distinguish between what Genesis explicitly tells us and what later Scripture reveals typologically. Genesis identifies Melchizedek as an actual king and priest; Hebrews uses him to illuminate the unique priesthood of Christ.
Abram Refused the Wealth of Sodom
The contrast between Melchizedek and the king of Sodom is striking.
Melchizedek blessed Abram.
The king of Sodom offered Abram possessions.
Abram received the blessing but refused the wealth.
He declared:
“I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth...” — Genesis 14:22
Abram did not want the king of Sodom later claiming:
“I have made Abram rich.”
This is a powerful lesson in integrity and spiritual independence.
Not every opportunity for increase should be accepted simply because it is profitable. Sometimes we must consider the source, the association, and what accepting it might communicate.
Abram wanted the testimony of his provision to remain connected to the Most High God.
Key Truth
Genesis 14 shows Abram moving from separation in Genesis 13 to spiritual warfare, deliverance, worship, and discernment. He rescued Lot without seeking personal gain, honored Melchizedek, acknowledged God as the source of victory, and refused to allow the wealth of Sodom to become the explanation for his blessing.
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