“And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.”
This verse is part of the account of Abram’s encounter with the king of Sodom after his successful rescue of his nephew Lot, who had been captured by an alliance of kings. To understand the significance of this verse, let’s examine the broader context of the story.
In Genesis 14, we learn that several kings waged war against Sodom and its neighbouring cities, including Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (or Zoar). These cities were engaged in rebellion against a coalition of kings led by Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam. During the battle, Sodom and Gomorrah were defeated, and Lot, who was living in Sodom, was taken captive along with his possessions.
Upon receiving news of Lot’s capture, Abram (who would later be renamed Abraham) gathered a force of 318 trained men from his own household and pursued the victorious kings. With a well-executed strategy, Abram rescued Lot and recovered all the possessions and people that had been taken, including the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah.
In Genesis 14:17-20, we see that after Abram’s victorious return, he encountered two significant figures: Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God, and the king of Sodom. Melchizedek blessed Abram and Abram gave him a tenth of all the spoils as an offering.
Following this encounter, the king of Sodom approached Abram and made the statement recorded in Genesis 14:21: “And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.” The king of Sodom requested the return of the people who had been taken captive, but he offered Abram to keep the recovered possessions.
Abram’s response:is recorded in the subsequent verses. In Genesis 14:22-24, Abram made a solemn oath before God that he would not take anything belonging to the king of Sodom, neither a thread nor a sandal strap, so that the king could not say he made Abram rich. Abram wanted to maintain his integrity before God and did not want any potential future conflicts or accusations from the king of Sodom. Instead, he insisted on giving back the goods to their rightful owners, including the share of spoils that belonged to his allies who had accompanied him in the rescue mission.
This verse highlights Abram’s commitment to honesty, integrity, and his trust in God as the ultimate provider and source of blessings. By refusing any personal gain from the king of Sodom, Abram demonstrated his faithfulness and dependence on God’s promises rather than compromising his values for temporary material gain.
In summary, Genesis 14:21 captures the request made by the king of Sodom to Abram, who had just returned victorious from the rescue mission. Abram’s response emphasizes his commitment to integrity and his unwavering faith in God’s provision and blessings. It serves as a reminder of the importance of staying true to one’s principles, even when faced with tempting offers or compromises.
