Genesis 14:21 - Meaning and Application

Here we have what passed between Abram and the king of Sodom, the ruler who followed the king who had fallen in battle (Genesis 14:10). The king felt that he should honor Abram in return for the help he had given. The exchange shows both the king’s offer and Abram’s careful refusal.

The king of Sodom made a generous offer to Abram: “Give me the people and keep the goods,” which is the sense of the Hebrew. He asked for the persons who belonged to his city, but he freely gave the goods to Abram. When a right is unclear and divided, it is wise to settle the matter by mutual agreement rather than keep fighting over it. The king had a natural claim to both the people and the goods, but Abram had also rescued them, so the king chose a fair way to end any dispute. Gratitude should lead us to repay, as far as we can, those who have labored, risked, and spent themselves for our good. As Paul says, “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?” (1 Corinthians 9:7). Soldiers earn their pay at great cost, since they put their lives in danger.

Abram made a noble refusal. He gave the people back to the king, since they had been rescued from the enemy, and he returned all the goods as well. He would not take even a thread or a shoe strap, nothing at all that had belonged to the king of Sodom or anyone with him. A living faith helps a person look on the riches of this world with holy indifference (1 John 5:4). What are all the pleasures and decorations of this life to someone who has God and heaven always before him? Abram even named the smallest things, a thread and a shoe strap, because a tender conscience avoids even small wrongs.

Abram confirmed this choice with a solemn oath: “I have lifted my hand to the LORD” that he would take nothing (Genesis 14:22). Notice the names he gives God, “the Most High God, maker of heaven and earth,” the same title Melchizedek, the priest-king of Salem, had just used (Genesis 14:19). It is good to learn how devout people speak well about God, and to follow their example. In this way we can improve through the godly conversation of others. The raising of the hand was a meaningful sign in an oath. It showed that Abram called God to witness his truth and sincerity, and that he asked for God’s judgment if he lied. The matter of the oath, not taking any reward from the king of Sodom, was lawful, even though Abram was not already required to do it.

Abram may have made such a vow before the battle, if God would give him victory. If so, he was now keeping a promise made in the hope of mercy, even though it went against his own interest. Vows made while seeking a blessing must be kept carefully after the blessing comes, even when they cost us something. A citizen of Zion, that is, one who belongs to God’s people, does not change his word when he has sworn, even if it hurts him (Psalm 15:4). Or Abram may have made this oath now to strengthen his refusal and stop any more pressing. There are times when it is right to give up something that is truly ours, as Paul also did in some matters (1 Corinthians 8:13; 1 Corinthians 9:12). Strong resolve is a good help against temptation.

Abram also gave a reason for his refusal: he did not want the king of Sodom to say, “I made Abram rich.” That would have brought reproach in two ways. It would have cast doubt on God’s promise and covenant, as if God could not enrich Abram without the spoils of Sodom. It would also have slandered Abram’s faith and kindness, as if he had entered the dangerous battle only to make himself rich. We must be careful not to give others reason to say what should not be said. God’s people should avoid anything that looks cheap, greedy, or self-serving. Abram may have known that the king of Sodom was proud and likely to use such a thing against him later, even without reason. When dealing with such people, we need special caution.

Abram limited his refusal with two clear exceptions (Genesis 14:24). When we make vows, we should include necessary limits so that we do not later say, “It was an error” (Ecclesiastes 5:6). Abram excepted, first, the food for his soldiers. They deserved their share while they served in the battle. This would not give the king of Sodom any reason to claim that Abram had enriched himself. Second, he excepted the shares of his allies and confederates, saying, “Let them take their portion.” Those who are strict about limiting their own freedom should not force those same limits on others. We should not make ourselves the rule by which everyone else must be measured. A good man may deny himself a freedom that he would not deny another, unlike the Pharisees, who laid heavy burdens on others (Matthew 23:4). There was no reason for Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, Abram’s allies, to give up their right in the spoil the way Abram did. They did not make the same profession of faith, and they were not bound by the same vow. They did not have Abram’s hope of a share in the world to come, so they could rightly take their portion of this world.