Abram Rescues Lot – Genesis 14:1-16

Much of this narrative takes place around the Dead Sea.  The NIV Study Bible notes: 

“Hebrew “Salt Sea.” Its water contains an approximately five times greater concentration of chloride and bromide salts than the water in the world’s oceans, making it the densest large body of water on earth,” and “Lumps of asphalt are often seen even today floating in the southern end of the Dead Sea.”  “The Dead Sea, the lowest body of water on earth (about 1,300 feet below sea level), is flanked by hills on both sides.”

As we have seen in the description of Sodom and Gomorrah, this is a rich land, a desirable land to possess.

[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. (Genesis 14:1–16, ESV)

Lot has chosen to live in the Jordan Valley, and more particularly, in the city of Sodom, a city known for its sinfulness.  As the Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament states: As 12:3 has forecast, those who join with Abraham (v.13b) will enjoy his blessing (v.24b); but those who separate from him, as Lot had done (13:12), will suffer the same fate as Sodom and Gomorrah.  This cities fate is tied to its decision to stop paying monetary tribute to Chedorlaomer and his allied nations, bringing Chedorlaomer’s wrath on this nation and the others who joined it in rebelling against his rule.  Chedorlaomer starts in the north and east of the Jordan River, using warfare to bring these nations back into line, traveling south to the Gulf of Aqaba, then turning north to come to Sodom and Gomorrah, where he succeeds in regaining control.  He captures the cities and their populace, including Lot and family, and all their valuable goods.

But he has not figured on a lone player like Abram, who desires to rescue his nephew, and possesses a trained army of 318 men, as well as an alliance of his own with Mamre, Eshcol and Aner.  Did Abram pray about this foray against such a large army, or in other words, was he doing God’s will?  We’re not told, but his victory is certainly attributed to Yahweh, as we will see.  The fact that he surprised Chedorlaomer’s army and attacked at night certainly increased the odds of victory, and we don’t know how many military assets his three allies had, but it is also true that Yahweh was fighting for him.

We see the first use of the term “Hebrew” in this passage, a term some attribute to Abram’s ancestor Eber, though others identify it not as an ethnic term but as a “designation of a social class of people known as the “Habiru” in many ancient texts, who were typically dispossessed peoples” (Walton, NIV Application Commentary).  Whatever its derivation, it separates Abram out from the other inhabitants of Canaan, and we see in his actions the boldness and family commitment of someone who trusts in Yahweh.  This is the first time he must intercede for Lot, and it shows, as he is later described in 20:7, “He is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary).