Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 13:8-9

"And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me. If [thou wilt take] the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if [thou take] the right hand, then I will go to the left." — Genesis 13:8-9 (ASV)

Let there be no strife.—It is evident that Lot was beginning to side with his herdsmen and regard himself as an injured man. But Abram meets him with the utmost generosity, acknowledges that their growth in wealth rendered a separation necessary, and gives him his choice. And Lot accepts it. Instead of feeling that he should have yielded the preference to his uncle out of respect for his age and rank, he greedily accepts the offer. He selects the region that seemed to offer the greatest earthly advantages, but finds in the long run that it has perils which far outweigh its promises of wealth and pleasure.