Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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(2.) That the tenth of our increase is a very fit proportion to be set apart for the honour of God and the service of his sanctuary.
(3.) That Jesus Christ, our great Melchizedek, is to have homage done him, and to be humbly acknowledged by every one of us as our king and priest; and not only the tithe of all, but all we have, must be surrendered and given up to him.
21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and
take the goods to thyself.
We have here an account of what passed between Abram and the king of Sodom, who succeeded him that fell in the battle (Ge 14:10), and thought himself obliged to do this honour to Abram, in return for the good services he had done him. Here is,
The king of Sodom's grateful offer to Abram (Ge 14:21): Give me the soul, and take thou the substance; so the Hebrew reads it. Here he fairly begs the persons, but as freely bestows the goods on Abram. Note,
1. Where a right is dubious and divided, it is wisdom to compound the matter by mutual concessions rather than to contend. The king of Sodom had an original right both to the persons and to the goods, and it would bear a debate whether Abram's acquired right by rescue would supersede his title and extinguish it; but, to prevent all quarrels, the king of Sodom makes this fair proposal.
2. 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. Who goes a warfare at his own charges? 1Co 9:7. Soldiers purchase their pay dearer than any labourers, and are well worthy of it, because they expose their lives.
22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted up mine hand
unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,