Well we have what would seem like an epic battle to change the course of history. Genesis 14 starts out sounding like it is a major event with the four kings battling five kings, but then in the end the victor of the battle is chased down and defeated by Abram and 318 men. Now maybe the king’s armies had been severely depleted from the battle or maybe Abram’s men were just unbelievable, but in the end I don’t think this was as big of a battle as it sounded like it would be. Of course the population was smaller then so the percentage of people involved could have been huge.
Two of the groups defeated by Chedorlaomer are the Emim and the Rephaim who were a race of giants. Read this three part series to learn more about them. This does put Abram in perspective, since he defeated the guys who defeated two races of giants. Any preconceived notions of a lowly farmer Abram have once again been changed.
Next we encounter one of the more mysterious characters in the Bible. Melchizedek is not only a king, but also a priest. Remember that this is taking place before the priest system is set up through Aaron. For more about Melchizedek read this and the book of Hebrews.
Abram once again shows great common sense by not allowing himself to be indebted to the king of Sodom. His allegiance remains solely to God.