Genesis 14

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:5

Genesis 14:5. In the fourteenth year After some pause and preparation, Chedorlaomer, in conjunction with his allies, set himself to reduce the revolters. The four kings laid the neighbouring countries waste, and enriched themselves with the spoil of them, Genesis 14:5-7. Upon the alarm of which, the king of Sodom and his allies went out and were routed. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:13

Genesis 14:13. We have here an account of the only military action we ever find Abram engaged in, and to this he was not prompted by avarice or ambition, but purely by a principle of charity. Considering the impropriety of Lot’s conduct, he might have found a very plausible pretence for declining to expose himself and his servants to the danger which it was reasonable to suppose would attend the enterprise; but his love to his relation, who, notwithstanding his late error, was, upon the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:14

Genesis 14:14. He armed his trained servants To the number of three hundred and eighteen: a great family, but a small army; about as many as Gideon’s that routed the Midianites, Judges 7:7. He drew-out his trained servants, or his catechised servants; not only instructed in “the art of war,” but instructed in the principles of religion; for Abram commanded his household to “keep the way of the Lord.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:18

Genesis 14:18. It has been a great question among expositors, who Melchizedek was. The Jewish rabbins say that he was Shem, the son of Noah, who was king and priest to those that were descended from him, according to the patriarchal model. And it must be allowed to be probable that Shem was alive at this time, and that he was a great prince. But as Shem’s genealogy and birth are recorded in Scripture, and were well known, it could, with no propriety, be said of him, as the apostle says of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:19

Genesis 14:19. Blessed be Abram of the most high God Observe the titles he here gives to God, which are very glorious. 1st, The most high God, which speaks his absolute perfection in himself, and his sovereign dominion over all the creatures. 2d, Possessor of heaven and earth That is, rightful owner and sovereign Lord of all the creatures; because he made them. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:20

Genesis 14:20. And blessed be the most high God Observe, 1st, In all our prayers we must praise God, and join hallelujahs with all our hosannas. These are the spiritual sacrifices we must offer up daily, and upon particular occasions. 2d, God, as the most high God, must have the glory of all our victories. In them he shows himself higher than our enemies, and higher than we, for without him we could do nothing. And he gave him tithes of all That is, of the spoils, Hebrews 7:4. This may... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:21

Genesis 14:21. Give me the souls, and take thou the substance So the Hebrew reads it. Here he fairly begs the persons, but as freely bestows the goods on Abram. Gratitude teaches us to recompense to the utmost of our power those that have undergone fatigues, or been at expense for our service. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:22-23

Genesis 14:22-23 . Here observe, 1st, Abram gives to God the same titles that Melchizedek had just now used. It is good to learn of others how to order our speech concerning God, and to imitate those who speak well in divine things. 2d, The ceremony used in this oath; I have lift up my hand In religious swearing, we appeal to God’s knowledge of our truth and sincerity, and imprecate his wrath if we swear falsely; and the “lifting up of the hands” is expressive of both. Lest thou shouldest... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:1-24

Click image for full-size versionAbram meets Melchizedek (14:1-24)Lot’s selfish choice brought him unexpected trouble. In the Dead Sea region where Lot lived, a group of city-states rebelled against their Mesopotamian overlords and brought war upon themselves. Lot was captured and his possessions plundered (14:1-12). Abram was in no danger but he was concerned for Lot. With a fighting force of over three hundred from his large household, along with others from neighbouring households, he... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 14:1

came to pass in the days of. Hebrew v'yahi bemeyi : occurs 6 times (see App-10 ); always marks a time of trouble ending in blessing. Compare Ruth 1:1 .Isaiah 7:1 .Jeremiah 1:3 .Esther 1:1 . 2 Samuel 21:1 (Compare Genesis 14:14 ). in the days. Dated in the reign of a king of Babylon: the united forces led by a king of Elam. The Assyrian tablets show that Elam had conquered and overrun Babylonia. Amraphel reigned in N. (Shinar); Eri-Aku (Arioch), an Elamite prince, in the S. at Larsa... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:13

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:14

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:18

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:19

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:20

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:21

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:22-23

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:1-24

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 14:1

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