went to war against five other kings: Bera of Sodom, Birsha of Gomorrah, Shinab of Admah, Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (or Zoar).

Lot looked around and saw that the whole Jordan Valley, all the way to Zoar, had plenty of water, like the Garden of the LORD or like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD had destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.)

Do you see that little town? It is near enough. Let me go over there---you can see it is just a small place---and I will be safe."

Hurry! Run! I can't do anything until you get there." Because Lot called it small, the town was named Zoar.

These five kings had formed an alliance and joined forces in Siddim Valley, which is now the Dead Sea.

The valley was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah tried to run away from the battle, they fell into the pits; but the other three kings escaped to the mountains.