Chedorlaomer was a king who ruled the ancient region of Elam (Gentile nation). He appears to have been a quite powerful king at the time. Five regional kings who served him rebelled, escalating into a major war involving many kings.
Genesis 14:1they made war with Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).Genesis 14:2All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea).Genesis 14:3They served Chedorlaomer for twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.Genesis 14:4In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer came, and the kings who were with him, and struck the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim,Genesis 14:5and the Horites in their Mount Seir, to El Paran, which is by the wilderness.Genesis 14:6They returned, and came to En Mishpat (also called Kadesh), and struck all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that lived in Hazazon Tamar.Genesis 14:7The king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) went out; and they set the battle in array against them in the valley of SiddimGenesis 14:8against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.Genesis 14:9Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell there. Those who remained fled to the hills.Genesis 14:10They took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their food, and went their way.Genesis 14:11They took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who lived in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.Genesis 14:12One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner. They were allies of Abram.Genesis 14:13When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his three hundred eighteen trained men, born in his house, and pursued as far as Dan.Genesis 14:14He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.Genesis 14:15He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, and the women also, and the other people.Genesis 14:16The king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).Genesis 14:17Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.Genesis 14:18He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.