For they had served Chodorlahomor twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they revolted from him.

For twelve years they were under the rule of Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they put off his control.

For they had served Chedorlaomer for twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they withdrew from him.

Duodecim annos servierant Cedorlaomer, et decimotertio anno defecerant.

Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer,.... King of Elam, who was of the race of Shem, and so the prophecy of Noah began to be fulfilled, that Canaan should be servant to Shem, Genesis 9:26; for the kings of Sodom, &c. and their subjects, were of the race of Ham in the line of Canaan, who had by violence seized on that part of the earth which was allotted to the sons of Shem, and therefore Chedorlaomer being a descendant of his claimed his right, and made them tributary to him, which they were for the space of twelve years:
and in the thirteenth year they rebelled; refused homage to Chedorlaomer and to pay tribute to him.

Twelve years they served him - The Sodomites were the posterity of Canaan, whom Noah had pronounced a servant to Shem, from whom Elam descended. Thus soon did that prophecy begin to be fulfilled. In the thirteenth year, beginning to be weary of their subjection, they rebelled - Denied their tribute, and attempted to shake off the yoke.