Midrash sobre Génesis 14:23

(Gen. 14:23:) THAT < I WILL TAKE NOT > SO MUCH AS A THREAD OR A SANDAL STRAP < FROM ANYTHING THAT IS YOURS >…. Why? Because the Holy One has promised me that he will make me rich, as stated (in Gen. 12:2): I WILL MAGNIFY YOUR NAME. Now should I receive from what belongs to you, so that you might say (ibid., cont.): I HAVE MADE YOU RICH? The Holy One said: You have said: < NOT > SO MUCH AS A THREAD. By your life I am giving your children an altar around which A THREAD OF RED PAINT encompasses, just as our masters have taught (in Mid. 3:1).

Another interpretation: You have stated (in Gen. 14:23): < NOT > SO MUCH AS A THREAD OR A SANDAL STRAP. I am exalting your children, as stated (in Cant. 7:2 [1]): HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE YOUR FEET IN SANDALS. Another interpretation: < NOT > SO MUCH AS A THREAD. I am exalting your children with a thread, as stated (in Cant. 4:3): [YOUR LIPS ARE] LIKE A SCARLET THREAD. Another interpretation: You have stated: < NOT > SO MUCH AS A THREAD OR A SANDAL STRAP. By virtue of this I am punishing your enemies, as stated (in Ps. 60:10 [8]): UPON EDOM WILL I CAST MY SHOE. You have refused a reward of flesh and blood. See what a reward is prepared for you with me. Thus it is stated (in Gen. 15:1): YOUR REWARD SHALL BE VERY GREAT.

... David is the shepherd of Israel, as it says “You shall shepherd My people Israel…” (Divre HaYamim I 11:2) And who shepherded David? The Holy One, as it says “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Tehillim 23:1) Jerusalem is the light of the world, as it says “And nations shall go by your light…” (Yeshayahu 60:3) And who is the light of Jerusalem? The Holy One, as it is written “…but the Lord shall be to you for an everlasting light…” (Yeshayahu 60:19)