What did the king of Sodom offer Abram after the victory?
a) All the land of Sodom
b) The people and the goods Abram had recovered
c) A place in his army
d) A share of his wealth
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b) The people and the goods Abram had recovered.
In the biblical narrative from Genesis 14, after Abram’s victory over the four kings who had taken Lot, the king of Sodom offered Abram a reward for his efforts. The king proposed to give Abram the people and goods that were recovered in the battle. This offer was significant because the goods included valuable possessions taken from Sodom and the people, who were part of the plundered city.
However, Abram declined the king’s offer. He expressed that he would not take anything from the king, not even a thread or a sandal strap, so that the king could not say, “I have made Abram rich.” Instead, Abram insisted that only what his men had consumed or what was due to his allies (such as Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre) be kept. This act demonstrated Abram’s integrity and his desire to rely on God rather than human alliances for his prosperity.
This exchange is pivotal for several reasons. First, it underscores Abram’s dependence on God for provision rather than on earthly rulers. Secondly, it highlights his moral standing and refusal to gain wealth through questionable means. Abram’s decision also indicates that his success was not driven by greed, but by his faith in God’s promise. This moment sets him apart from the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, who are later depicted as morally corrupt and sinful in other parts of the Bible.