After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”
Comment: The King of Sodom is dealt with briefly, abruptly and given the ‘cold shoulder’. Abram when offered Sodom’s goods which he had rescued said, and I quote,” I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” I suspect that the godly Abram wanted nothing obtained by the evil behaviour of the Sodomites.
Melchizedek king of Salem was different in nature. He was priest of God Most High, and Abram treated him very differently. Melchizedek offered Abram (and presumably his soldiers) sustenance and blessed Abram in the Name of the Most High God. In Hebrews Melchizedek is likened to Jesus; He offered bread and wine (which is what was used for the last supper) and Abram gave him a tenth of all the spoil of his victory! We know nothing more of this man historically but he is used to highlight the ministry of Jesus in a couple of places (Psalms and Hebrews)
Prayer: Help me to give that which is due to You, to You.
As I read it! 