The Battle of the Kings (Abraham Rescues Lot)
With just 318 men from his own household, Abraham defeated a coalition of four kings to rescue his nephew Lot - and was blessed afterward by the mysterious Melchizedek.
When a coalition of four eastern kings led by Chedorlaomer defeated the five kings of the plain and carried off Lot along with the spoils of Sodom, Abraham armed 318 trained servants born in his own household and pursued the raiders as far as Dan. He divided his men, attacked by night, and routed the enemy all the way to Hobah, north of Damascus, recovering Lot, the women, and all the plundered goods. On his return, Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, to whom he gave a tithe of everything - one of the earliest and most significant priestly encounters in Scripture, later cited in Hebrews as a type of Christ's eternal priesthood.
Details
- Era
- Patriarchs
- Category
- Patriarchs
- Participants
- Abraham (318 men) vs. Chedorlaomer and three allied kings
- Outcome
- Abraham defeats the four eastern kings and rescues Lot
- Divine Intervention
- Yes
Key Chapters
Key Passages
Abraham Rescues Lot
Genesis 14:1-20
1nd it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;