1. Wars for physical control (vs. 1-16, three wars/battles)
 a) A coalition of 4 city-state kings from the east (v1, “Shinar”- Babylon 1st mentioned) led by 
     Chederlaomer/ Elam warred against & controlled a coalition of 5 kings from the rich valley south of 
     the Dead Sea (where Lot lived, first & second name are compounded with “evil/wicked.” After 12 
     years of submission, the latter group rebelled (stopped paying tribute).
 b) Chederlaomer’s forces engaged in a war campaign the moved from the north down the king’s highway 
     on the east side of the Jordan River to El-paran (finger of the Red Sea). Then they moved NW to 
     Kadesh (v7). Then NE (Amorites, v7b). Then against the coalition of 5 kings in the valley of Sittim 
     after all reinforcements were cut off. This coalition was defeated again and many feel into tar pits 
     (where liquid petroleum came to the surface) in their flight or fled to hill country on both sides of their 
     valley. The forces from the east plundered Sodom & Gomorrah, including Abram’s nephew Lot, who 
     was living in Sodom. Conflict for control is the way of the world & believers get caught in the middle 
     at times.
 c) A fugitive brought word to Abram living in Hebron (13:18) where he lived in a covenant relationship 
     of peace with local Amorites. Abram did not let Lot’s selfish response in Genesis 13 hold him back 
     from coming to rescue. His clan had grown. He led 318 trained men with forces from his allies (v24). 
     We don’t know how large Chederlaomer’s forces were: most likely much larger than Abram’s forces 
     (remember they controlled that area for 12 years and won every battle on the latest sweeping 
     campaign). It was a courageous step of faith. Abram pursued the eastern forces to Dan, later to be on 
     the northern border of Israel. Abram divided his forces for a surprise attack at night (the eastern forces 
     were not expected this), and defeated them and pursued them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.
 d) Abram brought back all the goods and people, including Lot. Genesis 12:1-3 happened on an  
     international scale. Abram’s sacrificial & courageous step of faith led to a great rescue of nearby 
     plunder city-states and people.
2. Wars of spiritual allegiance (vs. 17-24). Two kings come out to meet Abram in the “King’s Valley” 
    probably just south of Jerusalem. The King of wicked Sodom (Gen. 13:13) is mentioned first.
 a) Melchizedek (king of righteousness), king of Salem (“peace”, Jerusalem) abruptly appears. He brought 
     bread & wine for a feast to refresh the exhausted warriors and as a generous mark of gratitude. 
     Melchizedek was a priest of God Most High. Here is a community that from the time of Noah 
     remained faithful to the true God.
 b) Melchizedek blessed Abram of God Most High to whom he was a priest declaring He was the 
     Possessor/Creator of heaven & earth. He also blessed/praised God Most High as the One who caused 
     Abram to be victorious in battle.
 c) Abram then gave a tithe of all the battle spoils to God Most High by giving it to Melchizedek. The 
     principle of giving a tithe/tenth to God was in place long before the Law commanded it. In your 
     giving, you should begin there.
 d) The King of Sodom brought nothing. He declared Abram could give the people to him, but take the 
     goods taken from the battle.
 e) Abram responded that he had raised his hand in an oath to the “LORD (personal covenant keeping 
     God) God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth” (including all the goods of the world) that he 
     would not take even something as small as a thread, sandal thong or anything else from the King of 
     Sodom. Otherwise he knew this king would take credit (“I” emphatic) for making Abram rich. His 
     Amorite allies could have their share, but he by-passed what was rightfully his from the battle.
 f) This spiritual battle was won by acknowledging, giving back and trusting in the LORD God Most High 
     possessor of heaven & earth, rather than getting caught in an unhealthy attachment with an ungodly 
     person.