The Blood Covenant Part 2
David and Jonathan
A Covenant Story
“Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.” 1 Samuel 18:1-4
The background for this story is chapter 17 where David defeated Goliath. David remembered the covenant and won the battle.
The basis for the covenant between David and Jonathan was the strong love Jonathan had for David. It is mentioned twice in these verses that Jonathan loved David as his own soul.
There were nine symbols or actions taken when two entered into covenant. One or more of these could be done:
a. Exchange of Garments - The position in society was reflected in the clothing of a person. David had much to gain and Jonathan had much to lose in this covenant. David had given a shepherd’s coat to Jonathan and Jonathan gave a king’s coat to David. It seemed David had everything to gain and Jonathan had everything to lose as with our covenant with God. Love and trust had to be the foundation for covenant.
b. The Exchange of Belts - The weapons hung on the belt - the promise of defense. David could give a sling. Jonathan could give a sword, dagger, and all the troops he was entrusted with by his father. When we entered into covenant with God, we gave Him our slingshot and He gave us the weapons of our warfare (Ephesians 6). We also have God’s army of angels.
c. They cut an animal in half - right down the backbone - into two halves - The two covenant partners walked a figure 8 through the pieces, around the outside and inside, showing they were now one inside the substitute (Abraham did this Genesis 15:17).
d. Two Entering Into Covenant - They cut themselves on their wrists or across the palms of the hands, at times, mixed with wine.
e. Ashes were placed in the cut to make the scars permanent - Anyone wanting to know about the covenant could see the scars in the hand or wait for the sleeves to be rolled up and see the wrists.
f. Names were exchanged and each name appears in the others - This is the right of attorney over assets. (Abram became Abraham).
g. Covenant terms were read to each other - the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. This is the significance of Deuteronomy 28 at which time all the blessings and cursings of the law were read to the people. It was done between Jacob and Laban by a heap of stones (Genesis 31:44-52).
h. A covenant meal was eaten - This was also done by Jacob and Laban. This commonly occurred after the reading of the terms of the covenant in many nations of the world. The covenant meal is almost universally bread and wine in heathen nations and Christian nations alike. Bread and wine speak that the two have become one together naturally and in the soul.
i. The two covenant partners planted a tree - This is found in the story of the covenant relationship between Abraham and Abimelech (Genesis 21:22-34). Abraham offered sheep instead of the cutting of the hand and the king did not understand it. He was used to cutting the flesh. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree (not a grove). It is a symbol of life for many to see for years.
“And so it was, in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad was with him. Then he said to his lad, “Now run, find the arrows which I shoot.” As the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. When the lad had come to the place where the arrow was which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried out after the lad and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?” And Jonathan cried out after the lad, “Make haste, hurry, do not delay!” So Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows and came back to his master. But the lad did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew of the matter. Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad, and said to him, “Go, carry them to the city.”
As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another, and they wept together, but David more so. Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘May the Lord be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants, forever.’ ” So he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.” 1 Samuel 20:35-42
