Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Genesis Ch.14 / 50 Ch.s
GE:14
* The battle of the kings, Lot is taken prisoner. (1-12) Abram
rescues Lot. (13-16) Melchizedek blesses Abram. (17-20) Abram
restores the spoil. (21-24)
#1-12 The wars of nations make great figure in history, but we
should not have had the record of this war if Abram and Lot had
not been concerned. Out of covetousness, Lot had settled in
fruitful, but wicked Sodom. Its inhabitants were the most ripe
for vengeance of all the descendants of Canaan. The invaders
were from Chaldea and Persia, then only small kingdoms. They
took Lot among the rest, and his goods. Though he was righteous,
and Abram's brother's son, yet he was with the rest in this
trouble. Neither our own piety, nor our relation to the
favourites of Heaven, will be our security when God's judgments
are abroad. Many an honest man fares the worse for his wicked
neighbours: it is our wisdom to separate, or at least to
distinguish ourselves from them, #2Co 6:17|. So near a relation
of Abram should have been a companion and a disciple of Abram.
If he chose to dwell in Sodom, he must thank himself if he share
in Sodom's losses. When we go out of the way of our duty, we put
ourselves from under God's protection, and cannot expect that
the choice made by our lusts, should end to our comfort. They
took Lot's goods; it is just with God to deprive us of
enjoyments, by which we suffer ourselves to be deprived of the
enjoyment of him.
#13-16 Abram takes this opportunity to give a real proof of his
being truly friendly to Lot. We ought to be ready to succour
those in distress, especially relations and friends. And though
others may have been wanting in their duty to us, yet we must
not neglect our duty to them. Abram rescued the captives. As we
have opportunity, we must do good to all.
#17-20 Melchizedek is spoken of as a king of Salem, supposed to
be the place afterwards called Jerusalem, and it is generally
thought that he was only a man. The words of the apostle, #Heb
7:3|, state only, that the sacred history has said nothing of
his ancestors. The silence of the Scriptures on this, is to
raise our thoughts to Him, whose generation cannot be declared.
Bread and wine were suitable refreshment for the weary followers
of Abram; and it is remarkable that Christ appointed the same as
the memorials of his body and blood, which are meat and drink
indeed to the soul. Melchizedek blessed Abram from God. He
blessed God from Abram. We ought to give thanks for other's
mercies as for our own. Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, is
the Mediator both of our prayers and praises, and not only
offers up ours, but his own for us. Abram gave him the tenth of
the spoils, #Heb 7:4|. When we have received some great mercy
from God, it is very fit we should express our thankfulness by
some special act of pious charity. Jesus Christ, our great
Melchisedek, is to have homage done him, and to be humbly
acknowledged as our King and Priest; not only the tithe of all,
but all we have, must be given up to him.
#21-24 Observe the king of Sodom's grateful offer to Abram, Give
me the souls, and take thou the substance. Gratitude teaches us
to recompense to the utmost of our power, those that have
undergone fatigues, run hazards, and been at expense for our
service and benefit. Abram generously refused this offer. He
accompanies his refusal with a good reason, Lest thou shouldest
say, I have made Abram rich: which would reflect upon the
promise promise and covenant of God, as if He would not have
enriched Abraham without the spoils of Sodom. The people of God
must, for their credit's sake, take heed of doing any thing that
looks mean or mercenary, or that savors of covetousness and
self-seeking. Abraham can trust the Possessor of Heaven and
earth to provide for him.