Battle of the Kings – Purpose of the Story/2
Battle of the Kings – Purpose of the Story
Exegetical Approaches
Overview
In attempting to understand the reasons for the Torah's inclusion the episode of the Battle of the Kings, some commentators focus on its relationship to the surrounding Avraham narratives, while others look to its relevance to the broader history of Israel. Thus, Radak and others suggest that the story serves to fill in the portrait of Avraham, highlighting his various qualities that emerge from the story, from selflessness to military prowess. Cassuto similarly connects the account to the other Avraham narratives, viewing it as the beginning of the realization of the Divine promises to Avraham.
In contrast, Ramban suggests that the narrative's significance is in its foreshadowing of future history, Israel's ultimate victory over the four kingdoms that will rule over it. Finally, R. Hirsch asserts that the story comes to emphasize the eternal vulnerability of the land of Israel and its people.
Avraham's Character
Hashem's Promises
Avraham's victory over the kings constituted a preliminary conquest of Canaan and its neighboring lands and was the beginning of the actualization of Hashem's promises to Avraham. The story is not out of place at all, but rather is integrally connected to the Divine covenants and assurances of the surrounding chapters.
- The Children of Israel – R. Hirsch and Cassuto claim that since the four kings had conquered the entire region, when Avraham vanquished them and chased them all the way to Damascus,1 he effectively gained control over the entire land of Canaan. This action thus staked out the Israelites' future claims to the land.
- Ammon, Moav, and Seir – The Ma'asei Hashem and Cassuto note that Avraham gained rights also to the lands east of the Jordan which were to go to his other descendants and relatives, the progeny of Lot and Esav. In conquering the four kings, Avraham inherited all that they had previously conquered, including the lands of the Refaim, Zuzim, Eimim, and Hori. Thus, the story provides the background for how Avraham's family (other than Yaakov's descendants) became sovereign over the entire region.
Forecasting Future History
Israel's Ultimate Triumph
Avraham's triumph over the four kings foreshadows Israel's future prevailing over the four major kingdoms: Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. The import of the episode, thus, lies in its impact on the future of the Israelite nation rather than its contribution to the portrait of Avraham.
Israel's Vulnerability of Israel
The episode serves to highlight the precarious placement of Israel amongst the nations.