Genesis 14, War in the Valley of Siddim

Abraham and Lot have parted ways.  A confident Lot will soon need Abram's help.

Genesis 14:1-10  War in the Valley of Siddim

At this time Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer 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). All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (the Salt Sea).

For twelve years they had been subject to Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim and the Horites in the hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran near the desert. Then they turned back and went to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazazon Tamar.

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) marched out and drew up their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar--four kings against five.

Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills.

Shinar is Babylonia; the Salt Sea is the Dead Sea. The Valley of Siddim is the valley around the Dead Sea.

This is an impressive array of kings.  After initial victories by Kedorlaomer, five kings ally themselves to stand up to Kedorlaomer at the Valley of Siddim.

Genesis 14: 11-16, Lot, a victim
The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. They also carried off Abram's nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.

One who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

The four kings (presumably led by Kedorlaomer) plunder Sodom and Gomorrah, capturing Lot and his family. Abraham organizes a successful rescue against these powerful kings.

In this passage, Abram, is called "the Hebrew".  This is the first occurrence of this term in the Torah.  It is not clear where this name comes from.  There are a number of ideas. (See Wikipedia for a summary.)

There is considerable speculation over the identification of these kings. Wikipedia has an article on the Battle of Siddim that is an attempt to put this into modern views of ancient timelines. It consists of considerable speculation.

It is strange that we have such a precise number of men -- 318!

Genesis 14: 17-24, Melchizedek
After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." 

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself."

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, `I made Abram rich.' I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me--to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share."

Melchizedek is a strange individual, showing up in Hebrew lore and in the New Testament letter to the Hebrews. (And also in Psalm 110.) The name apparently translates as "Righteous King".

Salem is present day Jerusalem.  So Melchizedek, king of ancient Jerusalem, will play a certain role in Jewish legends.

Abram has sworn an oath regarding integrity.

NIV footnotes: "Creator" in verses 19 and 22 could also be translated "Possessor."