Abram finds himself surrounded by tyranny and temptation. He responds without tribalism not quietism. He is neither aggressive nor passive. Yet he maintains his testimony in this episode.

v1-4: Lot finds himself in difficulty, as the kings of Sodom and the nearby cities go to war with an alliance of eastern kings, led by Kedorlaomer. The fighting takes place in the area later covered by the Dead Sea. After 12 years of being subject to the eastern kings, the local kings rebel.

The words 'kings' and 'war' appear for the first time in this chapter. Here are kingdoms and here is conflict. There are the mighty kings of Mesopotomia and the local kings of immorality. Abram would be conquered by the military power of the first set; or be enslaved by the immorality of the second set. Instead, he stands as the man of God in this environment.

v5-7: Kedorlaomer seems not to restrict his intervention to the Dead Sea area; he attacks other kings on the way.

v8-11: The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah are defeated, their goods taken away. Strangely they are unfamiliar with the dangers of fighting in the valley with its tar pits.

v12: Lot is now living in Sodom; whose company does he prefer; godly Abram's, or sinful Sodomites'? His initial compromise led to a tolerance of sin. He had been rich, and now he loses everything.

v13-17: Abram has a concern for his "brother", Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20; Jude 22-23. Lot's problems are the inevitable consequences of his decisions; yet Abram risks his own life to save him. Abram had not become involved in the previous civil war (v8-9), but now it is a family matter, so he becomes involved.

Abram has allies, apparently not Canaanites, for the Amorites came from the south east. With 318 trained men, his household has become like a small town. Abram is known as the "Hebrew", the separate one. Abram is never titled 'king.' His testimony is one of faith and integrity.

On the subject of 'household,' the African Study Bible makes this comment: 'In Africa, the concept of family is broader than in the West. It includes not only parents and siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, but also all who share the same clan name. It even extends to include friends of a biological family in some communities. The emotional attachment to family is strong and family influences such things as your choice of work, marriage partner, and religion.' Perhaps the Abrahamic household was more similar to that, than to the western 'nuclear family.'

v18-24: Melchizedek pictures Christ, he is priest and king, a higher priesthood than that of Aaron, Hebrews 7:9-10. No Jew would take both offices. Although Melchizedek lives close to the place of the fighting, he does not become involved, for he recognises that the real warfare is spiritual. In like manner, Abram refuses material blessing from the king of Sodom, but accepts spiritual blessing from Melchizedek; he is made rich by Melchizedek.

As in the NT, the Bible writers recognise a 'spiritual' conflict which is unseen on the earth, yet influences events on the earth. See 2 Cor 10.3-6; Eph 6.10-12.

Abram's testimony; God made him rich, he sought no reward from man, nor glory for himself.