8 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

and his servants. He took from them the prisoners and
the goods that they had taken away. On his return
from this victory he was welcomed by a great person,
Melchisedek, King of Salem, Priest of the Most High
God. He was a type of Christ, as the apostle explains
in the epistle to the Hebrews. The name Melchisedek
means righteous king, or king of righteousness. Salem
means peace ; it is the same place as J erusalem, which
means a vision of peace. This kingly priest blessed
Abram, and said,—‘ Blessed be Abram of the Most
High God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy
hand.’ This teaches us that if in anything success
attend us we ought to give to God all the glory, and
assume no credit to ourselves. Abram shewed his
thankfulness to the God who had given him success by
giving to his priest the tenth part of all the spoil.

« Then the king of Sodom advanced, and offered to
give Abram the goods, on condition that he would give
to him the people whom he had rescued. Abram said
that he would take not the smallest thing, lest the king
of Sodom might say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ So
he restored the people and all the goods to the king,
except a portion for his three friends, Aner, Eshcol, and
Mamre; for he knew that those who had served him,
although they did not serve him for payment, ought to
be rewarded when it was in his power. This teaches
us a lesson of justice and of gratitude,—to give to all
that which is their due ; and to shew by our actions that
we are grateful to those who have obliged us.