A bunch of kings started a war.
Sodom and Gomorrah were plundered. Lot was captured in the raid and everything he owned was taken.
But one of Lot’s men escaped and told Abram.
Abram mobilized an army of 318 men.
Abram chased King Kedorlaomer north of Damascus and rescued Lot, the other captives and all the stolen goods.
Sodom’s king greeted Abram’s return in the valley of Shaveh (AKA the King’s Valley.)
Melchizedek, Salem’s king and priest of God Most HIgh, brought Abram bread and wine. Then he blessed Abram. Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered (Lot’s goods).
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you can keep the goods for yourself.”
Abram replied, “I swear to God I will not take a single thread from you. Otherwise you’ll claim to have made me rich. All I ask is you give a fair share of the goods to my allies, Aner, Eshcol and Mamre.” (I thought swearing to God was taking the Lord’s name in vain.)
