“And it came to pass at that time, that Amraphel, king of Sennaar, and Arioch, king of Pontus, and Chodorlahomor, king of the Elamites, and Thadal, king of nations,”
Of a people gathered of divers countries. That is, of Babylon: by kings here, meaning, them that were governors of cities.
“All these came together into the woodland vale, which now is the salt sea.”
Ambition is the chief cause of wars among princes. Or, of the labored fields. Called also the dead sea, or the lake Asphaltite, near unto Sodom and Gomorrah.
“Now the woodland vale had many pits of slime. And the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrha turned their backs, and were overthrown there: and they that remained, fled to the mountain.”
Or, were discomfited. And afterward was overwhelmed with water, and so was called the salt sea.
“And Lot also, the son of Abram’s brother, who dwelt in Sodom, and his substance.”
The godly are plagued many times with the wicked: therefore their company is dangerous.
“And behold one, that had escaped, told Abram the Hebrew, who dwelt in the vale of Mambre the Amorrhite, the brother of Escol, and the brother of Aner: for these had made a league with Abram.”
God moved them to join with Abram, and preserveth him from their idolatry and superstitions.
“And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after he returned from the slaughter of Chodorlahomor, and of the kings that were with him in the vale of Save, which is the king’s vale.”
Cross references: : 2 Sam. 18:18
“But Melchisedech, the king of Salem, bringing forth bread and wine, for he was the priest of the most high God,”
Heb. 7:1 For Abram and his soldiers’ refection, and not to offer sacrifice.
“Blessed him, and said: Blessed be Abram by the most high God, who created heaven and earth.”
In that Melchizedek fed Abram, he declared himself to represent a king, and in that he blessed him, the high Priest.
“That from the very woofthread unto the shoe latchet, I will not take of any things that are thine, lest thou say: I have enriched Abram.”
Hebrew, If I take from thee a thread , etc. Read 1 Sam. 14:45 .
“Except such things as the young men have eaten, and the shares of the men that came with me, Aner, Escol, and Mambre: these shall take their shares.”
He would not that his liberality should be hurtful to others.