Genesis 14:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we have the first war mentioned in Scripture. Though the wars of nations make up much of history, this one is told because Abram and Lot were caught up in it.

We can notice first who took part in it. The attackers were four kings, including the kings of Shinar and Elam, that is, Chaldea and Persia. They were likely not the ruling kings of those large kingdoms in person, but leaders of colonies that had come from them and settled near Sodom.

The people attacked were the kings of five cities in the plain of Jordan, Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar. Four of those kings are named, but not the king of Zoar, also called Bela. He may have been left unnamed because he was less important, or because he was especially wicked and therefore unworthy to be remembered.

The cause of the war was that the five kings rebelled against Chedorlaomer after serving him for twelve years. They had little joy in their fruitful land while they paid tribute to a foreign power and could not enjoy their own possessions freely. Rich lands are tempting prizes, and lazy, pleasure-loving lands are easy targets for rising powers.

The people of Sodom were descendants of Canaan, and Noah had said that Canaan would be a servant to Shem. Elam was descended from Shem, so this prophecy began to take shape early. In the thirteenth year, the five kings grew tired of being subject to Chedorlaomer, so they refused tribute and tried to win back their freedom. In the fourteenth year, after time for planning, Chedorlaomer and his allies came to punish them and force them to pay, if not willingly, then by the sword.

This shows where wars usually come from, pride, greed, and ambition. These selfish desires have driven the bloodshed of thousands.

The war moved quickly and ended badly for the rebels. The four kings overran the nearby lands and took rich spoil from them (Genesis 14:5-7). When the king of Sodom heard what had happened, wisdom would have told him to make peace, since his enemy had already won so much. But he chose to risk everything instead of giving in, and the result matched his choice. Those whom God means to destroy, he leaves to their own foolishness.

The forces of the king of Sodom and his allies were defeated, and many who escaped the sword seem to have died in the slime pits (Genesis 14:10). We live surrounded by death in many forms, especially in war. The cities were then plundered (Genesis 14:11). All the goods of Sodom, especially their food and supplies, were carried off by the victors.

When people abuse God’s good gifts for gluttony and excess, it is just for him to strip those gifts away. That is often how he deals with misuse of his bounty (Hosea 2:8-9).

Lot was also taken captive (Genesis 14:12), along with his goods. In one sense, he shared the common trouble of the people around him. Though he was a righteous man, and Abram’s nephew, he was still drawn into the disaster that came on the city. This reminds us that all things happen alike to all people (Ecclesiastes 9:2). Even the best people cannot promise they will be free from great troubles in this life.

It also shows that many honest people suffer because of the wickedness around them. That is why it is wise to separate ourselves from evil company, or at least clearly set ourselves apart from it (2 Corinthians 6:17), so that we may be delivered from its judgment (Revelation 18:4).

Lot also suffered because of the bad choice he had made in settling there. The text points this out by saying that they took Abram’s brother’s son, who lived in Sodom. A close relative of Abram should have stayed with Abram and learned from him, but since Lot chose to live in Sodom, he should not be surprised if he shared Sodom’s trouble.

When we leave the path of duty, we place ourselves outside the shelter of God’s protection. Then we cannot expect the choices made by our own desires to end well. Special mention is made of Lot’s goods, the same possessions that had once stirred up his dispute with Abram and led to their separation. It is fitting for God to take away the comforts that have made us careless about enjoying him.