Lot Kidnapped

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Chapter 14 deals with an account of the first war in scripture. Four kings, two from Persia (Elam) and two from Chaldea (Shinar), made war against the kings of the five cities of the Plain of Jordan. The cities were Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Zoar.
King Chedorlaomer of Persia had controlled these five cities for 12 years, and they had paid him tribute. They rebelled and to make a long story short, they were defeated. The kings of Persia plundered the cities and Lot was taken captive along with all he owned. This caused Abram to get involved in the only military action of his life. We do not know how one family of herdsman could defeat the armies of four kings, but they did. God again intervened and Lot and his friends were rescued.
In verses 17 - 20, we have briefly mentioned a man by the name of Melchizedek. There are four possible answers to his identity.

Some believe he was Shem, the son of Noah. If this were true, he would have been about 400 years old. But why would he have changed his name?
Some believe it was an appearance of the Son of God Himself, appearing for a righteous cause bringing peace. It was said of him, "He had no mother or father having neither birth nor death."
Some believe he was a Canaanite prince who knew God and was obedient to Him.
The Arabic Bible says he was the son of Heraclim and Salathiel which means he was the great, great, great grandson of Noah through Japheth.

Of more importance was what he did. He fed Abram and his soldiers, he blessed Abram and he conveyed to God Abram's blessing and praise. Then Abram gave him tithes of all that he had.
The King of Sodom praised Abram for bringing back all the loot and the people of his city. He told Abram that he could have the spoils but that he wanted the people. Abram did not want either so he returned them both to the king.

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