1.171
AT this time, when the Assyrians had the dominion over Asia, the people
of Sodom were in a flourishing condition, both as to riches and the number
of their youth. There were five kings that managed the affairs of this
county: Ballas, Barsas, Senabar, and Sumobor, with the king of Bela; and
each king led on his own troops: and the Assyrians made war upon them;
and, dividing their army into four parts, fought against them. Now every
part of the army had its own commander; and when the battle was joined,
the Assyrians were conquerors, and imposed a tribute on the kings of the
Sodomites, who submitted to this slavery twelve years; and so long they
continued to pay their tribute: but on the thirteenth year they rebelled,
and then the army of the Assyrians came upon them, under their commanders
Amraphel, Arioch, Chodorlaomer, and Tidal. These kings had laid waste all
Syria, and overthrown the offspring of the giants. And when they were come
over against Sodom, they pitched their camp at the vale called the Slime
Pits, for at that time there were pits in that place; but now, upon the
destruction of the city of Sodom, that vale became the Lake Asphaltites,
as it is called. However, concerning this lake we shall speak more presently.
Now when the Sodomites joined battle with the Assyrians, and the fight
was very obstinate, many of them were killed, and the rest were carried
captive; among which captives was Lot, who had come to assist the Sodomites.
note
1.176
WHEN, Abram heard of their calamity, he was at once afraid for Lot
his kinsman, and pitied the Sodomites, his friends and neighbors; and thinking
it proper to afford them assistance, he did not delay it, but marched hastily,
and the fifth night fell upon the Assyrians, near Dan, for that is the
name of the other spring of Jordan; and before they could arm themselves,
he slew some as they were in their beds, before they could suspect any
harm; and others, who were not yet gone to sleep, but were so drunk they
could not fight, ran away. Abram pursued after them, till, on the second
day, he drove them in a body unto Hoba, a place belonging to Damascus;
and thereby demonstrated that victory does not depend on multitude and
the number of hands, but the alacrity and courage of soldiers overcome
the most numerous bodies of men, while he got the victory over so great
an army with no more than three hundred and eighteen of his servants, and
three of his friends: but all those that fled returned home ingloriously.
1.179
So Abram, when he had saved the captive Sodomites, who had been taken
by the Assyrians, and Lot also, his kinsman, returned home in peace. Now
the king of Sodom met him at a certain place, which they called The King's
Dale, where Melchisedec, king of the city Salem, received him. That name
signifies, the righteous king: and such he was, without dispute,
insomuch that, on this account, he was made the priest of God: however,
they afterward called Salem Jerusalem. Now this Melchisedec supplied
Abram's army in an hospitable manner, and gave them provisions in abundance;
and as they were feasting, he began to praise him, and to bless God for
subduing his enemies under him. And when Abram gave him the tenth part
of his prey, he accepted of the gift: but the king of Sodom desired Abram
to take the prey, but entreated that he might have those men restored to
him whom Abram had saved from the Assyrians, because they belonged to him.
But Abram would not do so; nor would make any other advantage of that prey
than what his servants had eaten; but still insisted that he should afford
a part to his friends that had assisted him in the battle. The first of
them was called Eschol, and then Enner, and Mambre.
1.183
And God commended his virtue, and said, Thou shalt not however lose
the rewards thou hast deserved to receive by such thy glorious actions.
He answered, And what advantage will it be to me to have such rewards,
when I have none to enjoy them after me? - for he was hitherto childless.
And God promised that he should have a son, and that his posterity should
be very numerous; insomuch that their number should be like the stars.
When he heard that, he offered a sacrifice to God, as he commanded him.
The manner of the sacrifice was this : - He took an heifer of three years
old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram in like manner of three
years old, and a turtle-dove, and a pigeon note
and as he was enjoined, he divided the three former, but the birds he did
not divide. After which, before he built his altar, where the birds of
prey flew about, as desirous of blood, a Divine voice came to him, declaring
that their neighbors would be grievous to his posterity, when they should
be in Egypt, for four hundred years; note
during which time they should be afflicted, but afterwards should overcome
their enemies, should conquer the Canaanites in war, and possess themselves
of their land, and of their cities.
