And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
We have here an account of the first war that ever we read of in scripture, which (though the wars of the nations make the greatest figure in history) we should not have had the history of if Abram and Lot had not been concerned in it. Now, concerning this war, we may observe, I. The parties engaged in it.
Commenting on Genesis 14:1-12
All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim,.... Or "of fields", or "ploughed lands" (b), a fruitful vale abounding with corn; or of gardens or paradises, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem, being full of gardens and orchards, and was as the garden of the Lord, even as Eden, see Gen 13:10; though Aben Ezra thinks it had its name from the...
All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. (c) Ambition is the chief cause of wars among princes. (d) Called also the dead sea, or the lake Asphaltite, near Sodom and Gomorrah.