Page 19 - Biblical Theology Textbook - masters

David and Jonathan also formed a covenant as described in – 1 Sam 18:1-4 and 1 Sam 20:16. The reason
this covenant was made is simply because “Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he
loved him as himself.” In 1 Sam 20, we see how Jonathan does everything he could to save the life of
David and in 2 Sam 1, we see the lamentation of David when he hears of the death of Saul and Jonathan.
We also see that David honors this covenant even after the death of Jonathan by protecting his son in 2
Samuel 21:7 and then later David looks after his son as one of his own family (2 Samuel 9:7).

2. A second form of covenant in the Bible was called a Suzerainty
Covenant. This was the most common form of a covenant found
nd
during the 2 to the 7the millennium B.C. and was what is today
referred to as the Suzerainty covenant. This was a covenant made
between a stronger (Suzerain) and a weaker (vassal) party. The most
common instance of this was the agreement made between two
nations after a war where one conquered the other. The Hittites,
Egyptians, and Assyrians were suzerains to the Israelites.

3. A third form of covenant in the Bible as the Royal Grant Covenant. This covenant is also a covenant
made between a stronger and a weaker party. However, in this case, it is not the rights of the Suzerain
(stronger party) that is protected, but the rights of the vassal (weaker party). The curses in this covenant
is against anybody that would infringe upon the rights of the vassal. The other difference we see is that
this covenant is normally the result of the loyalty of the vassal towards the Suzerain. Thus, it is seen as a
reward for loyalty and is guaranteed by the stronger party. We also see that this reward is normally land
and dynasty. This means that the land is not only the property of the vassal but also of his descendants.
This implies that as part of this covenant the boundaries and characteristics are clearly defined.

The land is of course not given unconditionally. Although in most cases it is not explicitly documented,
the continued loyalty of the vassal is assumed. If the vassal decides to no longer be loyal to the Suzerain,
the Suzerain may decide to revoke the privilege.

The Suzerainty Covenant was ratified in a ceremony in which both parties would walk between the split
animal pieces, but a Royal Grant was ratified in a ceremony in which the Suzerain would walk between
the pieces alone.

Types or validation of Covenants in the Old Testament

There were many ways two covenant partners validated their agreements in the Old Testament, based
on how strong the covenant agreement was. From the weakest form of validation to the strongest, let’s
learn the various ways covenant parties validated their agreements.

The first type of covenant validation in the Bible was the Blood Covenant. This is also
known as the servant hood covenant. It requires the shedding of blood (either of the
involved parties or of an animal) to ratify the covenant. A blood covenant between
humans is a very old tradition that has been well recorded throughout history and is
still being practiced in many cultures today. It is frequently done by making a cut in
the flesh of the parties entering the covenant and then allow the blood of the parties
to mix, thereby symbolizing the lives that have now become one.

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