Nature of covenants

Kinds of covenant relationship

The relationship between king and people

2 Samuel 5:3 NASB95

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the Lord at Hebron; then they anointed David king over Israel.

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Terms for peace granted to a weaker party

Joshua 9:15 NASB95

Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.

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A mutual commitment to peaceful relations

1 Kings 5:12 NASB95

The Lord gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.

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An agreement on a common course of action

Jeremiah 34:8 NASB95

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem to proclaim release to them:

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The relationship between husband and wife

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God’s covenant with Israel is likened to a marriage:

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An expression of friendship

1 Samuel 18:3 NASB95

Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

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Sealing a covenant

By sharing a meal

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The meal Jesus Christ shared with his disciples is an important part of the institution of the new covenant:

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By offering a sacrifice

The Hebrew expression for making a covenant means, literally, “to cut a covenant”. This may refer to the solemn practice, described here, of cutting an animal in half and walking between its pieces; ; ; ; Sacrifice is an important part in sealing covenants made by God.

By making an oath

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The obligations of a covenant

Covenant responsibilities must be honoured

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Covenant obligations are watched over by God

1 Samuel 20:42 NASB95

Jonathan said to David, “Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’ ” Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city.

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The consequences of breaking covenant faith

Joshua 9:20 NASB95

“This we will do to them, even let them live, so that wrath will not be upon us for the oath which we swore to them.”

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Covenants with other nations are forbidden

Exodus 34:12 NASB95

“Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst.

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Covenants with other nations lead to a commitment to foreign gods

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Covenants with other nations lead to a denial of faith in God

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