Does the Enemy’s Power and Numbers Matter?

Four kings defeated 5 kings in the Sodom area and established a tribute for them to be paid to one of the four kings, Chedorlaomer.  After 12 years, the 5 Sodom kings rebelled and refused to pay a tribute in the 13th year.  The 4 northern kings banded together and came down from the Damascus area and defeated 7 nations (Rephaim, Zuzim, Emim, Horites, Enmishpat, Amalekites, and Amorites) prior to getting to the 5 Sodom kings.  The 4 kings then defeated the 5 Sodom kings and took Lot and his family and others as their spoils.  Abraham was informed, and he led 318 men (and two confederate leaders), and he attacked them at night in the Dan area, which is northern Canaan.  He “smote them and pursued them to Hobath, which is on the left-hand side of Damascus”.  He returned with Lot and all of the spoils. 

We see Abraham attacked with just 318 men against 4 powerful kings that had already destroyed 12 nations.  And yet, Abraham destroyed them and returned all of the spoils back to the Sodom kings.  Why does it state 318 and not 300?  Eighteen tells us that God caused this defeat to happen, and to God, the power and the enemy’s numbers did not matter. 

We need to remember that numbers and power do not mean anything to Hashem.  Trust in Hashem is the right pathway. 

BN 12-18-23