the second day, he drove them in a body unto Hoba, a
place belonging to Damascus; and thereby demonstrated that victory does
not depend on multitude and the number of hands, but the alacrity and
courage of soldiers overcome the most numerous bodies of men, while he
got the victory over so great an army with no more than three hundred
and eighteen of his servants, and three of his friends: but all those
that fled returned home ingloriously.

2. So Abram, when he had saved the captive Sodomites, who had been taken
by the Assyrians, and Lot also, his kinsman, returned home in peace.
Now the king of Sodom met him at a certain place, which they called The
King's Dale, where Melchisedec, king of the city Salem, received him.
That name signifies, the righteous king: and such he was, without
dispute, insomuch that, on this account, he was made the priest of God:
however, they afterward called Salem Jerusalem. Now this Melchisedec
supplied Abram's army in an hospitable manner, and gave them provisions
in abundance; and as they were feasting, he began to praise him, and to
bless God for subduing his enemies under him. And when Abram gave him
the tenth part of his prey, he accepted of the gift: but the king of
Sodom desired Abram to take the prey, but entreated that he might have
those men restored to him whom Abram had saved from the Assyrians,
because they belonged to him. But Abram would not do so; nor would make
any other advantage of that prey than what his servants had eaten; but
still insisted that he should afford a part to his friends that had
assisted him in the battle. The first of them was called Eschol, and
then Enner, and Mambre.

3. And God commended his virtue, and said, Thou shalt not however lose
the rewards thou hast deserved to receive by such thy glorious actions.
He answered, And what advantage will it be to me to have such rewards,
when I have none to enjoy them after me?--for he was hitherto childless.
And God promised that he should have a son, and that his posterity
should be very numerous; insomuch that their number should be like
the stars. When he heard that, he offered a sacrifice to God, as he
commanded him. The manner of the sacrifice was this:--He took an heifer
of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram in like
manner of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a pigeon [19] and as
he was enjoined, he divided the three former, but the birds he did not
divide. After which, be