17 And the king of Sodom goeth out to meet him (after his turning back from the smiting of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings who 'are' with him), unto the valley of Shaveh, which 'is' the king's valley. 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem hath brought out bread and wine, and he 'is' priest of God Most High; 19 and he blesseth him, and saith, 'Blessed 'is' Abram to God Most High, possessing heaven and earth; 20 and blessed 'is' God Most High, who hath delivered thine adversaries into thy hand;' and he giveth to him a tenth of all.
21 And the king of Sodom saith unto Abram, 'Give to me the persons, and the substance take to thyself,' 22 and Abram saith unto the king of Sodom, 'I have lifted up my hand unto Jehovah, God Most High, possessing heaven and earth— 23 from a thread even unto a shoe-latchet I take not of anything which thou hast, that thou say not, I—I have made Abram rich; 24 save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who have gone with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre—they take their portion.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 14:17-24
Commentary on Genesis 14:17-20
(Read Genesis 14:17-20)
Melchizedek is spoken of as a king of Salem, supposed to be the place afterwards called Jerusalem, and it is generally thought that he was only a man. The words of the apostle, Hebrews 7:4. When we have received some great mercy from God, it is very fit we should express our thankfulness by some special act of pious charity. Jesus Christ, our great Melchisedek, is to have homage done him, and to be humbly acknowledged as our King and Priest; not only the tithe of all, but all we have, must be given up to him.
Commentary on Genesis 14:21-24
(Read Genesis 14:21-24)
Observe the king of Sodom's grateful offer to Abram, Give me the souls, and take thou the substance. Gratitude teaches us to recompense to the utmost of our power, those that have undergone fatigues, run hazards, and been at expense for our service and benefit. Abram generously refused this offer. He accompanies his refusal with a good reason, Lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: which would reflect upon the promise promise and covenant of God, as if He would not have enriched Abraham without the spoils of Sodom. The people of God must, for their credit's sake, take heed of doing any thing that looks mean or mercenary, or that savors of covetousness and self-seeking. Abraham can trust the Possessor of Heaven and earth to provide for him.