THE TWO KINGS – by Paul M Hanssen
Today, I received an email from a spiritual son in a far away land. He asked a question that I had never been asked before. It was a great question. When reading the account of Abram’s return from the slaughter of the four kings, he understood the story to say that more than one king met with Abram. His question was, “Is it correct that Abram was met by more than one king after his slaughter of the four kings?” My answer to him was, “Yes!”
I further explained to him that Abram pursued the four kings after he had learned that his nephew, Lot, had been taken captive. These four kings, Chedorlaomer, Tidar, Amraphel, and Arioch united in battle against five other kings and kingdoms. (Genesis 14:9). The kings and kingdoms of Sodom and Gomorrah were among the five kingdoms that they attacked. Lot, Abram’s nephew, lived in Sodom, and he and all of his family and possessions were taken captive by the four kings. That was a huge mistake on their part.
Once Abram heard of that which had befallen his nephew, he gathered his trained warriors together, three hundred and eighteen of them, and he and his servant warriors pursued the four kings for the purpose of freeing Lot, his family and his possessions. (Genesis 14:14)
Abram and his men accomplished their mission and Lot was set free. However, this is where the story becomes interesting. After Abram returned from the slaughter of the four kings, two other kings came out to meet him. Abram was met by Melchizedek, King of Salem and by Bera, King of Sodom.
Melchizedek means the King of righteousness, whereas according to Easton’s Bible Dictionary Bera means son of evil. Melchizedek was the king of Salem (Jerusalem), whereas Bera was the king of Sodom (the world). King Melchizedek was the priest of the most High God. In contrast, King Bera was a son and servant of the god of this world. Both kings met Abram after his overcoming victory.
Genesis 14:17-18
And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Awareness, discernment, and caution is needed in the midst of every battle, but even more so after the victory has been won. This is the time for greater caution. Rest assured, two kings will meet you after every victory. One king offers life, whereas the other king offers a tempting proposition of gain, wealth and success. One king offers the crucified body and the blood of Christ which maintains humility and brokenness. The other king offers worldly gain and pride.
And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. (Genesis 14:21)
Abram retrieved all of the possessions, livestock, and people that the kings had taken from Sodom, including Lot and his family. The king of Sodom offered Abram to keep all of the possessions which had been taken from his domain. Abram, being the wise man that he was, refused so much as a shoelace from the king of Sodom.
That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: (Genesis 14:23)
During our spiritual warfare, battles, and trials, we are often blessed with great gain. Over the years and throughout history, many servants of God have fallen because after great victories in their personal lives and ministries they surrendered to the king of this world and embraced the gain as their own. When prayers are answered, when God speaks to you and through you, when He uses you to touch someone’s life, when a healing takes place through your prayer, or when spiritual battles are won through your warfare, it is inevitable that you will be met by two kings. The question will always be – which king will you serve? Which of the two kings will you “take from”. Will you take the humility bread and cup from Melchizedek, or will you take the spoil of wealth and gain from Bera?
No victory is won without a visit from these two kings!