Genesis 14 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Genesis 14

WHEN:

• Abram was born in approximately 1996 B.C. and died in 1821 B.C. at 175 years old (Gen 25:7).

• The events recorded in Genesis 14 happened sometime between 1921-1896 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Abram – A man from Ur of the Chaldeans who moved to Canaan at God’s instruction. God promised to bless all the nations of the earth through him and his descendants.

• Lot – Abram’s nephew who lived near the city of Sodom.

• Nine Warring Kings – Five kings fought against four kings. These will be discussed further in the outline.

• Melchizedek – King of Salem and Priest of God Most High.

WHERE:

• The key battle discussed in this chapter occurred in the Valley of Siddim.

• Abram pursued his nephew’s kidnappers from Hebron (Oaks of Mamre), to Dan, and then north of the city of Damascus.

• Melchizedek met Abram in the Valley of Shaveh (the King’s Valley). Many believe this was one of the two valleys surrounding the site of the city of Jerusalem, either the Kidron Valley or the Hinnom Valley.

OUTLINE:

• ABRAM SAVES LOT AFTER HE IS TAKEN CAPTIVE (14:1-16):

  • Chapter 14 starts off with a war.

  • Four kings allied together and fought against five kings.

  • The group of 4 consisted of (1) Amraphel of Shinar, (2) Arioch of Ellasar, (3) Chedorlaomer of Elam, and (4) Tidal of Goiim.

  • The group of 5 consisted of (1) Bera of Sodom, (2) Birsha of Gomorrah, (3) Shinab of Admah, (4) Shemeber of Zeboiim, and (5) the king of Bela (Zoar).

  • The war started when the 5 kings rebelled against Chedorlaomer who they had served for 12 years.

  • One of the key battles took place in the Valley of Siddim when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fought Chedorlaomer and his allies.

  • The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah lost the battle and had to flee.

  • Their cities were taken captive by the enemy forces.

  • Lot, Abram’s nephew who lived near Sodom, was taken as a prisoner.

  • One of the survivors of the battle went to the oaks of Mamre to inform Abram of his nephew’s fate.

  • Upon hearing the news, Abram rallied 318 trained men from his household and pursued Lot’s captors to Dan.

  • He overtook them and defeated them, chasing them all the way to Hobah, north of Damascus.

  • Abram brought Lot, his family, and all his possessions back to Canaan.

• ABRAM MEETS MELCHIZEDEK (14:17-24):

  • Bera king of Sodom and Melchizedek king of Salem met Abram at the Valley of Shaveh when he returned from his victory.

  • Melchizedek is described as a king and as the “priest of God Most High.”

  • Melchizedek blessed Abram and Abram gave him a tenth of all he possessed.

  • The king of Sodom offered all the spoils of the war to Abram, but he refused them because he didn’t want it to be said that the king of Sodom made him rich.

APPLICATION:

• In our day, the terms “patriarch” or “patriarchy” are usually thought of in a negative light.

• But Genesis 14 portrays a patriarch (Abram) in a positive and godly way.

• A patriarch is a man who leads and protects his household.

• A real patriarch is a man who leads and protects even when fulfilling that duty requires great personal sacrifice.

• In order to save his nephew, Abram had to pursue his kidnappers on foot for approximately 150 miles.

• Abram’s example teaches modern men that leading a house isn’t about making everyone submit to your will while you lounge in ease.

• Leading like Abram and like Jesus means protecting and providing for those in your care, usually at personal expense.