Christian Living

Abram Saves Lot Through Daring Rescue Operation

(Apologies for some reason the first minute was cut off during the podcast)

Learn how Abram's courage and faith guided him through a daring rescue operation to save Lot.

This post is based on the events that transpire in Genesis chapter 14.

Questions for You (and Me)

Do I serve God fully? (Or do earthly entertainment and materialism hamper me from fully serving God?)
Do I have enough faith in God to leave things to Him without worrying about the outcome?
Do I trust that God will provide for me?
Am I spiritually fortified against trials and temptations?
Am I courageous? Will I be bold against sin and the enemy?

The Battle of Siddim

The five cities of the plain kingdoms were under the rule of the Mesopotamian kingdoms led by King Chedorlaomer (Kedor-Lah-ohmer). After 12 years, they rebelled in the 13th year, which triggered the battle of Siddim. King Chedorlaomer called up the three other kings to accompany him in subduing the rebellious kings from the five cities of the plains.

The Battle of Nine Kings, or the Battle of Siddim, was fought in the valley of Siddim in what can only be described as an epic clash. The five-king coalition from the plain kingdoms was beaten. The Kings of Sodom and Gomorrah beat a hasty retreat into the mountains and saw their soldiers get killed among the tar pits.

Bible Verses

[Genesis 13:13] But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.
[Genesis 14:9] And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim 9against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
[Genesis 14:10] Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains.
[Genesis 14:11] Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way.

military history, ancient war, battle map, battle strategy, military tactics, ancient middle east map, ancient warfare, Bible battles, Battle of SIDDIM, Genesis 14, Abraham rescues Lot; War of Nine Kings — The battle occurred in the Valley of Siddim, most likely south of the Dead Sea.

Abram Learns Lot Has Been Captured

The northern Mesopotamian armies, which consisted of four kings (Chedorlaomer, Amraphel, Arioch, Tidal), overpowered the southern armies, which consisted of five kings (Bera of Sodom, Birsha, Shinab, Shemeber, Bela).

The southern kings, including the king of Sodom, fled to the mountains after being beaten by King Chedorlaomer's northern armies. The southern kings ransacked cities, including Sodom, where Lot was captured as a prisoner.

Bible Verses

[Genesis 13:18] Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord.
[Genesis 14:13] Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram.

Abram Sets Out to Rescue Lot

Abram faced a test when Lot was captured. This was a test of the courage of Abram's faith. Would he dare go up against the four great kings and their armies to rescue Lot?

Abram responds by immediately mounting a rescue operation to save his nephew Lot. He drums up 318 armed and trained servants to pursue the four southern kings. He is relentless and catches up with the four kings in Dan.

Abram was not indifferent to his fellow brother in need. He did not stop and say, well, Lot sowed what he reaped. No, he immediately set out to rescue Lot with the boldness of a lion.

Bible Verses

[Genesis 14:14] Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.

Abram Tracks the Enemy and Ambushes Them

Abram is victorious in battle against the four kings.

Abram and his group of 318 trained and armed men caught up to King Chedorlaomer and his army and attacked them near Dan. The Amorites he was allied with accompanied him as well. He fought them at night and pursued them for approximately 150 miles and turned around north of Damascus.

Abram pursued Chedorlaomer 150 miles to Hobah, north of Damascus.

A02881A — Abram and his 318 men may have set the ambush in the Barada Gorge, northwest of Damascus. (Source)

Bible Verses

[Genesis 14:15] He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
[Genesis 14:16] So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.
[Genesis 14:17] And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him.

Abram Refuses the Spoils of War

Abraham refuses the gifts from a godless king and leads by example.

Abram was tested when the king of Sodom offered to let him keep his confiscated possessions. This test was to determine the dignity or honorability of Abraham's faith. Would he accept gifts and honor from the godless king of Sodom?

Abram chooses to forfeit the riches offered by the king of Sodom. But Abraham told the King of Sodom that he could give his 318 men food and cover their expenses.

Abram chose to lead his men by example. He did not force others to walk according to his elevated standards. He was considerate of fellow believers and did not ask them to take the same stand as he did.

Bible Verses

[Genesis 14:22-23] But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’—

Abram Returned to Live in His Tent

After this great victory, Abram returned to live in his tent. Earlier in Genesis 13, we learn that Abram stayed far away from the cities of men. There is something to be said for living the tent life and not dwelling in the cities of men.

"Abram lived a Tent-Life."

[Genesis 13:12] Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom.
[Genesis 13:18] Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord.