1. Lesson One of the Book of Daniel, Introduction to the Book of Daniel

Lesson 31, Geography Study Concerning the Scriptures, Patriarchal Migrations and Wanderings, Abraham in the Promised Land, Continued

ABRAHAM IN THE PROMISED LAND 

Genesis 14:8-11,  And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;  With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.  And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.  And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. 

Because a Mesopotiamian victory was swift and decisive, the cities of the valley were captured, along with some of their citizens, including Lot, who was taken as far as Dan. (9) 

Genesis 14:12,  And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son (Abram’s nephew), who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

Having learned of the catastrophe at Hebron , Abraham immediately led his men in pursuit of Lot’s captors, successfully overtaking them at Dan and routing them as far as the north of Damascus. (10)

Genesis 14:13-16,  And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew (first use of the word Hebrew, Patronymic from H5677; an Eberite (that is, Hebrew) or descendant of Eber:—Hebrew (-ess, woman)); for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.  And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.  And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.  And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

As he returned from that mission past the valley of Shaveh, Abraham was met by the king of Salem, Melchizedek, with whom Abraham shared the spoils of victory.  (11)

Genesis 14:17-24,  And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.  And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:  And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.  And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.  And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,  That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:  Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.