I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share for the men who went with me--Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. They may take their portion." I will accept nothingThis phrase reflects Abram's integrity and reliance on God rather than material wealth. The Hebrew root for "accept" (לָקַח, laqach) often implies taking possession or receiving. Abram's refusal to take spoils from the king of Sodom underscores his commitment to God's promise rather than earthly riches. Historically, this act of refusal would have been counter-cultural, as victors typically claimed spoils. Abram's decision highlights his faith and trust in God's provision. but what my men have eaten
Here, Abram acknowledges the practical needs of his men. The Hebrew word for "eaten" (אָכַל, akal) signifies consumption for sustenance. Abram ensures that his men are cared for, reflecting a leader's responsibility to his followers. This phrase also suggests a sense of fairness and justice, as Abram only claims what was necessary for survival, not excess. and the share for the men who went with me
Abram distinguishes between his own refusal of wealth and the rights of his allies. The Hebrew word for "share" (חֵלֶק, cheleq) indicates a portion or allotment. This demonstrates Abram's respect for the contributions of others and his fairness in distributing rewards. It also highlights the importance of alliances and mutual respect among leaders in ancient times. Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre
These names refer to Abram's allies, who were Amorite leaders. Their mention by name signifies the importance of their support in Abram's military campaign. Historically, alliances were crucial for survival and success in the ancient Near East. By acknowledging these men, Abram honors their partnership and ensures they receive their due reward. They may take their portion
Abram's statement here is a declaration of justice and fairness. The Hebrew root for "portion" (חֵלֶק, cheleq) again emphasizes the rightful distribution of goods. Abram's decision allows his allies to benefit from the victory, reinforcing the principle that those who labor deserve their reward. This reflects a biblical ethic of fairness and the acknowledgment of others' contributions. Persons / Places / Events 1. Abram (Abraham)The central figure in this passage, Abram is demonstrating integrity and fairness after a victorious battle. 2. Aner, Eshcol, and MamreAllies of Abram who participated in the battle. They are entitled to their share of the spoils. 3. The King of SodomHe offered Abram the spoils of war, which Abram declined, except for what his men had already consumed and the portion for his allies. 4. The Battle of the KingsThis event involved a coalition of kings, including the King of Sodom, and Abram's rescue of Lot. 5. The Spoils of WarThe goods and wealth captured during the battle, which Abram chooses not to keep for himself. Teaching Points Integrity in LeadershipAbram's decision to refuse the spoils demonstrates integrity and sets a standard for godly leadership. Trust in God's ProvisionBy not taking the spoils, Abram shows his trust in God's provision rather than relying on material wealth. Fairness and JusticeAbram ensures that his allies receive their rightful share, highlighting the importance of fairness and justice in our dealings. Setting an ExampleAbram's actions serve as a model for believers to prioritize spiritual values over worldly gains. Community and PartnershipRecognizing the contributions of others, as Abram did with his allies, fosters a sense of community and partnership. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Abram's refusal of the spoils reflect his faith and trust in God, and how can we apply this principle in our own lives? 2. In what ways does this passage challenge us to consider our own integrity and fairness in our interactions with others? 3. How can we, like Abram, ensure that we are honoring God with our resources and decisions? 4. What lessons can we learn from Abram's treatment of his allies, and how can we apply these lessons in our relationships and partnerships? 5. How does Abram's example encourage us to prioritize spiritual wealth over material possessions, and what practical steps can we take to align our lives with this principle? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 14:22-23Abram's refusal to take anything from the King of Sodom is rooted in his commitment to God, showing his reliance on God rather than earthly wealth. Hebrews 7:1-2This passage references Melchizedek, who blessed Abram after the battle, highlighting Abram's faith and righteousness. Proverbs 3:9-10Encourages honoring the Lord with one's wealth, which Abram exemplifies by not taking the spoils for himself. 1 Timothy 6:6-10Discusses contentment and the dangers of the love of money, paralleling Abram's decision to refuse the spoils. Matthew 6:19-21Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven, aligning with Abram's choice to prioritize spiritual wealth over material gain. People Abram, Amalekites, Amorites, Amraphel, Aner, Arioch, Bela, Bera, Birsha, Chedorlaomer, Dan, Elam, Emites, Eshcol, Ham, Horites, Lot, Mamre, Melchisedec, Melchizedek, Rephaites, Seir, Shemeber, Shinab, Tamar, Tidal, Zoar, Zuzims, ZuzitesPlaces Admah, Ashteroth-karnaim, Bela, Damascus, Dan, Elam, Ellasar, El-paran, En-mishpat, Gomorrah, Ham, Hazazon-tamar, Kadesh-barnea, King's Valley, Oaks of Mamre, Salem, Salt Sea, Seir, Shaveh-kiriathaim, Shinar, Sodom, Valley of Shaveh, Valley of Siddim, Zeboiim, ZoarTopics Accept, Aner, Belongs, Eaten, Eshcol, Except, Fighting-men, Goods, Mamre, Nothing, Portion, Save, ShareDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 14:1-24 4224 cities of the plain Genesis 14:22-24 5077 Abraham, character
5468 promises, human Genesis 14:23-24 6604 acceptance, human Library An Example of Faith
'Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureJerusalem
The first name of this city was Shalem, Genesis 14:18, Psalm 76:2, and it is still retained in the writing, however it is read Jerushalaim. "The name of that place is Jehovah-jireh. Abraham called the place Jireh; Shem called it Shalem. Saith God, If I shall call it Jireh, it will displease Shem the Just; if I shall call it Shalem, it will displease Abraham the Just. I will therefore put that name upon it which was put upon it by both, Jireh, Shalem,--Jerusalem."--"We do not, therefore, put Jod between …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Tithing
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:10). Down deep in the heart of every Christian there is undoubtedly the conviction that he ought to tithe. There is an uneasy feeling that this is a duty which has been neglected, or, if you prefer it, a privilege that has not been …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing Bethphage
There is very frequent mention of this place in the Talmudists: and, certainly, a more careful comparison of the maps with those things which are said by them of the situation of this place is worthy to be made; when they place it in mount Olivet, these make it contiguous to the buildings of Jerusalem. I. In the place cited in the margin, the case "of a stubborn judge" (or elder) is handling. For when, by the prescript of the law, difficult matters, and such things as concerning which the lower councils …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
SYRIA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EGYPTIAN CONQUEST NINEVEH AND THE FIRST COSSAEAN KINGS-THE PEOPLES OF SYRIA, THEIR TOWNS, THEIR CIVILIZATION, THEIR RELIGION-PHOENICIA. The dynasty of Uruazagga-The Cossseans: their country, their gods, their conquest of Chaldaea-The first sovereigns of Assyria, and the first Cossaean Icings: Agumhakrime. The Egyptian names for Syria: Khara, Zahi, Lotanu, Kefatiu-The military highway from the Nile to the Euphrates: first section from Zalu to Gaza-The Canaanites: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
ABRAHAM, THE TRADITIONAL FATHER OF HIS RACE.--Gen. 12:1-8; 13:1-13; 16; 18, 19; 21:7; 22:1-19. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible I, 73-94. Prin of Pol., 160-175. Jehovah said to Abraham, Go forth from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, to the land that I will show thee, that I may make of thee a great nation; and I will surely bless thee, and make thy name great, so that thou shalt be a blessing, I will also bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Promise to the Patriarchs.
A great epoch is, in Genesis, ushered in with the history of the time of the Patriarchs. Luther says: "This is the third period in which Holy Scripture begins the history of the Church with a new family." In a befitting manner, the representation is opened in Gen. xii. 1-3 by an account of the first revelation of God, given to Abraham at Haran, in which the way is opened up for all that follows, and in which the dispensations of God are brought before us in a rapid survey. Abraham is to forsake …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 14:24 NIVGenesis 14:24 NLTGenesis 14:24 ESVGenesis 14:24 NASBGenesis 14:24 KJV
Genesis 14:24 Commentaries
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