In studying Genesis 14, it occurred to me one day that this war, the first described in scripture, may be more rightly called "World War I" (WWI) than the one that occurred in 1914-1918. It is certainly a "Great War" like the modern WWI, and the first part of this chapter (vv. 1-16), which deals with the specifics of this war, is laden with truth as well as the latter part (vv. 17-24), familar to most due to the appearance of Melchizedek.
1. First, let's note the events leading up this war. A man once said, "War is God's judgment on sin in this life; and hell is God's judgment on sin hereafter." This principle is illustrated well in Gen. 13-14. Note in Gen. 13:13 the exceeding wickedness and sinfulness of Sodom. Then, in 14:4, we see Sodom and four neighboring cities (Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, and Bela/Zoar) in subjection to Chedorlaomer, an Elamite king (from east of Shinar/Mesopotamia in modern southern Iraq/southwest Iran), no doubt for their sin (and in fulfillment of Noah's prophecy in Gen. 9:26). So this king is ruling over a large area, and since Shinar is between Elam and Canaan, Chedorlaomer likely reigns over the three kings with him (Amraphel, Arioch, and Tidal). His primacy is evident by references to "the kings that were with him" (vv. 5, 17).
2. Because of Sodom's wickedness, and evil influence on its neighbors (Deut. 29:23; Ezek. 16:49, Jude 7), it's no surprise that the five cities of the plain rebel against Chedorlaomer. If they won't submit to God, how can they submit to worldly authority?
3. In response to this rebellion, Chedorlaomer gathers a multi-national, allied army, taken from what I believe are the greatest nations of that time (Shinar, where Nimrod reigned; Ellasar; Elam; and other "nations"). Note that it's Shem's seed vs. Ham's seed, so in light of Gen. 9: 26, the outcome is predictable. If Tidal king of "nations" ruled over any Japhetic peoples, then it would truly have been a "world war," with all three races involved!
4. Chedorlaomer's campaign is very strategic: he smites all of the Sodomites' neighbors first, so they can't come to their assistance, and saves his archenemies for last. Sodomite neighbors that perish:
(a) Giants (v. 5; cf. Deut. 2:10-12, 20-23). The last giants living, after the flood, are connected with Ham (Anak, Og, and Goliath all descend from Ham), and are a sinful bunch (idolaters etc.). Note "Zuzims in Ham" (v. 5).
(b) Horites. Predecessors of the Edomites in Seir (Gen. 36:20; Deut. 2:12). May have been giants too, considering the context.
(c) Amalekites. This is before the Amalek which sprang from Esau (Gen. 36:12; his grandson), or an anachronism of Moses' (like "Dan" in v.14--Dan not yet born at this point).
(d) Amorites. Larger part killed, yet the ones confederate with Abram spared (grace). Bad note: Abram confederate with those whom God judges in this war.
5. Finally the armies meet, with one alliance (i.e. Chedorlaomer's) facing another, more wicked one (sound familiar?). The Sodomite alliance doesn't put up much of a fight: they flee before Chedorlaomer's host, and are either slaughtered in the vale of Siddim (v. 10, "fell there") or flee "to the mountain" (v. 10). How can the wicked stand in battle, with God against them?
6. It's curious that Chedorlaomer doesn't destroy Sodom and its allies: he simply takes all of the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah (and perhaps the other three cities) and departs. Maybe he thought that these cities had learned their lesson and would submit now. True, they do not rebel against him again, but they persist in their sin despite God's visible judgment on them (Rom. 1:18), and their destruction becomes "an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly (2 Pt. 2:6).
In summary, there's much here to support the thought that this war, the first described in scripture, could rightly be called the first "world war" rather than the one that occurred about 4000 years later.
Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. Eccl. 1:10
