The chapter we hope to discuss this time is a special one because it shows Abram so totally different than in the previous histories. It is the only place where we read of the father of the faithful as a soldier. Although he is a foreigner in Canaan, we should not picture him as a poor and beggarly vaga­bond. We have seen before that Abram was very rich, especially in cattle. Consequently, he had many servants and shepherds. When it was necessary, Abram could muster quite a military power for those days, as we see in this part of God's Word.

It is remarkable that so many details are given about persons, places and also that several explanations are added. In the beginning it is mentioned that the war broke out between four kings. These kings undoubtedly had their residence far from the land of Canaan and from the five kings who ruled over the cities in that district. That area was chosen by Lot some time ago, without his acknowledging the Lord in his ways.

Who are all those kings mentioned? The first is named Amraphel, king of Shinar. Many believe that he was the famous king of Babel who ruled about 2000 B.C. He is remembered for the laws he made, which had some resemblance to the laws of Moses. This warfare must have been in the beginning of his rule when he was yet subjected to Chedar-laomer. Later he shook off this yoke and became king of a free nation.

The second is Arioch, king of Ellasar, or Larsa, which is in the vicinity of Ur. Then Chedar-laomer who was king of Elam. Elam probably was situated east of Babel on the lower course of the River Tigris and the well-known Persian Gulf where last year war raged against Saddam Hussein. The name Chedar-laomer means "servant of Lagamar," the goddess of the Elamites. From secular history this king is not known. Not many excavations were possible in this part of the world. If this possibility would arise, then probably more light would be shed on his reign and power.

The fourth king is Tidal who is called the king of the nations because he ruled over several tribes of the Hittites. We cannot identify this king with full surety either, but it is evident that the old powers of Babylon were represented in these kings. These four kings came to war against the five confederate kings of the cities of the plains. We cannot expect to find their names in literature of the old world. We already have problems identifying the rulers of the big nations, so the names of these unknown kings are not recorded in the history books. These five cities were situated in the plain which has become the Dead Sea. It was then called the Vale of Siddim.

During twelve years these kings of the plains served Chedar-laomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him. These four kings of the east sent their armies in the fourteenth year to punish these rebellious cities. Most likely these kings were not present themselves, but they sent their generals. We cannot imagine that such armies were so very large, as we have today.

Their punitive expedition was not only against Sodom and the surround­ing cities, but it seems that also other kings had rebelled. Most likely the whole western part of the kingdom of Chedar-laomer had tried to break the bonds of the Elamites. In this military campaign these kings from the east swept down from the north in the neighborhood of Damascus, then went down to the eastern shore of the River Jordan, punishing other rebellious nations in their path. They went as far south as the country of the Amorites in El-Paran. Then they returned northward to fight against the confed­eracy of the five kings of the plains.

These allied forces waited for the enemy in the Vale of Siddim. The Bible says that this valley was full of slime pits. In the Hebrew language it is "pits, pits." When words are repeated in Hebrew, then it means many – so full of pits. There they had dug asphalt of bitumen. This is a natural derivative of crude oil. It is readily available in Mesopotamia and Palestine. This was also used as cement or mortar for the building of the tower of Babel several centuries earlier.

It is easy to guess the reason for the choice of this terrain. They counted on their acquaintance with this terrain to be profitable for them, while the enemy would be hindered in its movement by the many pits. But it turned out badly for the five kings; they were defeated. They had to flee and on their flight these slime pits became death pits to many. The few who were spared fled to the mountains. In verse 10 it is written, "And the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there." "Fell" has the meaning of be­ing defeated. Later on we will see this king of Sodom alive and well. But many fell in the slime pits when they came too close to the edge or did not notice them when they fled, and so died.

Is this not an example of the abyss of hell which devours so many? Why does this happen? Because of living too close to the slime pits of the world. When we live in sin with the world, then we will perish with the world. There are so many slime pits in our society. Therefore, young people, listen to what the apostle John writes: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world" (1 John 2:15a). This world will pass away and the lusts thereof. How sad it is when the world is our all, for then we shall lose everything.

After the defeat of the armies of Sodom and Gomorrah, these cities were ransacked and the remaining inhabitants were made slaves. They were carried away to the country of the enemy with no future. Also Lot, who lived in Sodom was made pris­oner and led away by the enemy. His choice did not bring happiness to him – only grief.

The previous time we have seen that Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom; now he lives in Sodom. Sin is a slippery slope and always leads away from God. The poet says in Psalm 1:1; "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." First walking, then standing, and finally sitting. This is the way it went with Lot also. He who forsakes the Lord will experience sorrow and grief.

The cities of the plains were plundered and the people were taken into custody. This is the forerunner of the final judgment because when the people will not convert, then the cities will be destroyed by the Lord. They are making themselves ripe for judgment and show that under no circumstances will they repent. All the catastrophes – famine, war, destruction and earthquakes – are rumblings of the judgment to come. These signs will increase toward the end of the world, according to God's Word. Sodom and Gomorrah hardened themselves un­der the callings of the Lord, as we know. How is it with us? Are there times that we may bow before the Lord and ask for forgiveness? He who forsakes the Lord will not prosper. Did we not see this in the life of Lot?

At the time of this war Abram dwelt in the plain of Mamre near Hebron, which is really only a short distance from the battlefield. "And there came one that had escaped and told Abram the Hebrew." The name Hebrew means "from the other side." This shows that Abram was a stranger in the land; he was known to be a stranger.

Is this also the case with us or do we go along with everything? Are we known by our friends, that we cannot go along with the world? How difficult this can be, especially when we have to sacrifice for it. We need the help of the Lord to be a separate people as it was promised when we were baptized. We should think more of the words of the Lord Jesus: "He who loveth father or mother, (boyfriend or girlfriend) more than Me is not worthy of Me." May the Lord give a true desire in our heart for His service. Then we will no longer have a longing for the world, although we must stay in the world. David complained that his flesh was yet cleaving to the world.

When Abram was informed of what had taken place, "What to do?" was the question for him. Although Abram and Lot had separated some time ago, still the bonds of love had not been broken. Here Lot is called the brother of Abram. This does not only point to the bond of blood, but there was also a spiritual bond. Lot was a child of God as well as Abram, but he wandered away from the Lord because the richness of this world was so attractive for him. Although he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, he remained a child of God and a brother of Abram. The Lord chastises His children with a purpose, that they will feel it is bitter to sin against the Lord. He chastises them out of love. The water can come to the lips, but the Lord will save him out of the hand of the enemy.

The Lord reigns over all things and it was in the providence of God that one soldier of a servant escaped and came to Abram, one whom he most likely knew from the past. Even had there been five times five, or twenty-five kings, still one should have been able to go to Abram. Undoubtedly Abram asked for the Lord's guidance and will. "Acknowledge Me in all thy ways."

When he received the message of Lot's mishap, he immediately armed his trained servants, they who were born in his house of his female slaves, men whom he could trust – in total 318. These slaves were closer to Abram than those who were bought with money. Therefore, the first ones mentioned were trained how to use the weapons. Of course these measures were not taken to undertake predatory incursions, but only to protect his family and possessions. Such means to defend ourselves are allowed. The Bible teaches us in many places that we must be prepared for the consequences of sin, also for theft and war.

From false idealism, some people do not want to hear of service in the army, to defend the country when necessary. The so-called pacifists seek a peace on earth which is not to be found on earth. The Lord Jesus has promised to give peace, but it is of a totally different nature: peace with God. The people who may receive some of this peace will by the grace of God seek peace with their neigh­bors as much as possible. Abram also belonged to the peacemakers, but when it was necessary he took up arms to go to battle.

With Abram went Mamre the Amorite, the brother of Eshcol and the brother of Aner, who were allied with him. Most likely they were the heads of tribes. Their relatives were also killed in Hazezontamar (Gen. 14:7). The number of their soldiers is not mentioned. Soon these men were on their way, but the enemy had a start. Therefore Abram had to march the full length of the land before he could overtake them in the most northern part of the country, near Dan, although it received this name later. Here Abram divided his little army in several detachments and attacked the enemy from all sides in the middle of the night. They did not expect an attack at all because all the enemies had been defeated. They were thrown into disarray and fled for their life's sake. Abram pursued them to Hobah, near to Damascus. All the prisoners of war were freed with their possessions. The purpose of this undertaking, the freeing of Lot and his family, was realized with the help of the Lord.

It was a happy reunion. We do not find a word of reproach from Abram to Lot as happens so often. How seldom do we practice this, especially when we feel aggrieved and seek revenge, but the Lord says: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves ... for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Rom. 12:19). Abram may deny himself before Lot and here he is also an example for us.

God saved Lot, his wife, and family. Yet Lot returned to Sodom, which he should not have done. He should have learned from the chastisement of the Lord, but he did not learn his lesson. He did not stay with Abram who had always been so good for him, but he looked again for the company of Sodom. An even heavier punishment had to follow to make him loose from Sodom. May such severe ways not be necessary for us, but that we may hear the call of the Lord in nature and especially from God's Word to bring us upon our knees and be made willing to leave everything behind. To­day it is yet the time of grace for us.

Abram fought and received a complete victory from the Lord. Is there anyone who could do more than Abram? Yes, what Christ has done for His church is more. He restored everything which we lost in the covenant head Adam. We have subjected ourselves to Satan's will, but Christ has defeated this enemy and opened a way of salvation for His church. How necessary that Christ went into the house of a strong man: "But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcometh him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils" (Luke 11:22). How poor and miserable we really are when we serve the devil who seeks our ruin!

We have heard of the five rebellious kings that they had served Chedar-laomer for twelve years and how they rebelled in the thirteenth year. The question is, "How many years have we served Satan?" Many of our readers probably must say, "More than twelve years." Twelve years are already much too long, but so many have served him for twenty, forty, sixty or eighty years. They still listen to Satan's commandments and pay tribute to him.

Has there never come a thirteenth year? We have to change kings; we must become a subject of the Lord by regeneration. Such renewal will be visible in our life. When we by the grace of God end the service of Satan, then the consequence will be that he will attack us with his mighty army. It will be the beginning of the spiritual warfare. "Welcome in the strife," God's people used to say. God's church is many times discouraged in this warfare, but the Lord will give them the vic­tory for Christ's sake as the poet sang:

But His crown shall ever flourish.
Blessed be His holy Name.

Questions⤒🔗

1. Tell something of the different kings mentioned in verses 1 and 2. Look on the map (in the back of your Bible?) approximately where they were living.
2. Follow the allied forces from the east where they went, and which nations they defeated.
3. Why did they fight against the five kings of the plains? Where did they battle and what was the outcome? Give some details of the battlefield. Do you see an application of this battlefield to us?
4. What is the reason that Abram is involved in this warfare? Follow him and his army until they surprisingly attack Chedarlaomer and tell the outcome.
5. Is the victory of Abram not a miracle? In what way is it a miracle and do you know more of such special deliverances the Lord has given to Israel and in church history?
6. This defeat and plundering of Sodom and Gomorrah is a serious warning for Lot and the inhabitants of these cities. Do you see a difference in the out­come now and later on for both?