Genesis 14:1,Genesis 14:9

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 14:1-2

"And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim (nations), that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar)."This narrative is not "completely isolated,"[1] but it is vital to the whole Genesis record. (See the introduction above.) "These names are historical, and it is highly probable... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 14:1

Genesis 14:1. And it came to pass, &c.— The Vulgate renders it, and it came to pass in those days, that Amraphel, &c. a translation which Houbigant follows and approves. It is very difficult to give any satisfactory account of the persons here mentioned. For my own part, I cannot help being very strongly of opinion, that these four kings were only petty monarchs, like those mentioned in the next verse; and not such illustrious princes as those of Persia and Babylon. Or, if we suppose... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 14:1

1. And it came to pass—This chapter presents Abram in the unexpected character of a warrior. The occasion was this: The king of Sodom and the kings of the adjoining cities, after having been tributaries for twelve years to the king of Elam, combined to throw off his yoke. To chastise their rebellion, as he deemed it, Chedorlaomer, with the aid of three allies, invaded the territories of the refractory princes, defeated them in a pitched battle where the nature of the ground favored his army (... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 14:1-12

The four kings (Genesis 14:1) resided in the eastern part of the Fertile Crescent. They sought to dominate the land of Canaan by subjugating five kings (Genesis 14:2) who lived there. They probably wanted to keep the trade routes between Mesopotamia and Egypt open and under their control. It is interesting that people living around Babylon initiated this first war mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 14:2).Scholars have debated the identity of the Rephaim (Genesis 14:5; cf. Genesis 15:20; literally... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 14:1-16

Abram’s war with four kings 14:1-16 A major significance of this literary unit is that it describes two more challenges to God’s faithfulness and Abram’s faith. So far Abram had to contend with several barriers to God fulfilling His promises to him. His wife was barren, he had to leave the land, his life was in danger, and his anticipated heir showed no interest in the Promised Land. Now he became involved in a war and consequently became the target of retaliation by four powerful kings. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:1-24

The Battle of the Kings, and the Capture and Rescue of LotChedorlaomer, king of Elam, had subdued the Canaanites of the Jordan valley some years before the events narrated in this chapter. The latter had rebelled, and a campaign for their fresh subjugation was undertaken, which included a general punitive expedition from Syria to the Gulf of Akaba.Within the last few years Assyrian tablets of great antiquity have been found, throwing considerable, if indirect, light on this narrative, and... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 14:1

XIV.INVASION OF THE JORDAN VALLEY BY CHEDOR-LAOMER, KING OF ELAM.(1) It came to pass.—Connected with the settlement of Lot in the Jordan valley is one of the most remarkable episodes in the whole of the Bible, derived either from Canaanite records, or, as Mr. Sayce thinks (Chald. Genesis, p. 72), from those of Babylon. The latter view is made the more probable by the fact that Amraphel, though but a subject king, is placed first; and the way in which the patriarch is described in it, as “Abram... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 14:1-24

Melchisedek the Uncanonical Genesis 14:18 A deeply veiled figure. The force of the figure lies in its background; its mystery in its mean surroundings. Melchisedek was a Canaanite. His birthplace was uncanonical. He ruled with wonderfully despotic power. What gave this man such a marvellous power? His personal sanctity. Abraham represents earth; Melchisedek is the High Priest of heaven. I. Where did Melchisedek get that priesthood which he was certainly credited with possessing. Melchisedek... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:1-24

ABRAM’S RESCUE OF LOTGenesis 14:1-24THIS chapter evidently incorporates a contemporary account of the events recorded. So antique a document was it even when it found its place in this book, that the editor had to modernise some of its expressions that it might be intelligible. The places mentioned were no longer known by the names here preserved-Bela. the vale of Siddim. En-mishpat, the valley of Shaveh, all these names were unknown even to the persons who dwelt in the places once so... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 14:1-24

CHAPTER 14 The First Recorded War and Lot’s Deliverance 1. The battle of the confederacy (Genesis 14:1-10 ) 2. Sodom and Gomorrah spoiled (Genesis 14:11-13 ) 3. Abram’s rescue (Genesis 14:14-16 ) 4. Sodom’s king to meet Abram (Genesis 14:17 ) 5. Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20 ) 6. The king’s offer and Abram’s answer (Genesis 14:21-24 ) The record of the first war is here foreshadowing the last great warfare still to come. Amraphel, King of Shinar, has been historically located by... read more