Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, had invaded Canaan fourteen years before, and made it tributary to him. Several of the princes now revolted, and the Elamite king, with four allies, again marched into the country to reduce them to submission. Five kings of Canaan joined their forces and met the invaders in the vale of Siddim, but only to be completely overthrown. A large 135 part of the army was cut to pieces, and those who escaped fled for safety to the mountains. The victors plundered the cities of the plain and departed with rich spoil and many captives, among whom were Lot and his family.

Kedorlaomer, kongen af Elam, var trængt ind i Kanaan fjorten år før og havde tvunget det til at betale skat til ham. Flere af fyrsterne gjorde nu opstand, og den elamitiske konge marcherede igen sammen med tre forbundsfæller ind i landet for at tvinge det til underkastelse. Fem af Kanaans konger samlede deres styrker og mødte angriberne i Siddims dal, blot for at blive fuldstændig slået. En stor del af hæren blev hugget ned, og de, der undslap, flygtede op i bjergene for at bringe sig i sikkerhed. Sejrherrerne plyndrede byerne på sletten og drog af sted med et rigt bytte og mange fanger, deriblandt Lot og hans familie.