Abram Rescues Lot and Meets Melchizedek

Four kings went to war against five kings in the valley of Siddim. The five had served Chedorlaomer for twelve years, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. After striking many peoples and places on the way, the four kings fought them there. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and the victors carried off goods and food from those cities.

Lot, Abram’s relative, was living in Sodom, so he was taken too, along with his goods. A man who escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. Abram was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, and Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner were Abram’s allies.

When Abram heard that Lot had been taken captive, he led out 318 trained men born in his house and pursued the raiders as far as Dan. By night Abram and his servants struck them and chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. Abram brought back all the goods, and he also brought back Lot, the women, and the other people.

After Abram returned, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the King’s Valley. Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, brought out bread and wine. He blessed Abram and blessed God Most High, saying that God had delivered Abram’s enemies into his hand. Abram gave him a tenth of all.

Then the king of Sodom said, in effect, that Abram could keep the goods if he returned the people. But Abram would not take even a thread or a sandal strap from what belonged to that king. He had sworn to Yahweh, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth. Abram accepted only what the young men had eaten, and he said his allies could take their own share. What does Abram’s choice show about where he believed blessing really came from?