A covenant is an agreement between two people or two different parties that make a binding promise to each other. Covenants define obligations and commitments. Although they are like contracts, they are different because they are personal and relational. When I married my husband, we entered a covenant with one another. Our vows defined the nature of the covenant. While it may seem easy to enter a covenant, some find it difficult to keep a covenant. This is evidenced in our country by the high divorce rate. If a covenant is easily broken the parties don’t understand the value of a covenant.
In the Bible, there are many covenants. I want to look today at the covenant between Jonathan and David. From their first meeting in I Samuel 18:1, there was a bond. Jonathan, Saul’s son, knew David was someone with whom he had a kindred spirit. Their bond was deeper than flesh and blood, it was based on their love for God. Jonathan saw a right spirit and a selfless heart within David, and it drew them together.
I Samuel 18:1-3 “And it came to pass when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would let him go no more home to his father’s house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant because he loved him as his own soul.”
Jonathan and David had made a covenant of friendship in chapter 18. Now in chapter 20, they make a covenant to take care of one another’s family if one of them should die. Jonathan knew that David would one day be king. It was customary in the ancient Near East when a new king came to power that all his offspring would be killed. This would eliminate anyone who might be a threat to the throne.
I Samuel 20:15 “But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house forever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David everyone from the face of the earth. So, Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.”
David does not forget the promise he made to his dear friend Jonathan. In II Samuel 9:3-13, he calls for Jonathan’s son to be brought to the palace. His son Mephibosheth, his family, and his servants were brought to David. When they arrived, there was fear in their hearts as they were brought before the king, but David assured them they had no reason to fear. David restores the land that was Saul’s to Mephibosheth and allows his servants to work it for Mephibosheth. He provides everything they need to live and prosper. He goes one step further with Mephibosheth. He brings him to the palace and treats him as he would his own son. He eats at the king’s table and is taken care of in royal fashion.
II Samuel 9:3-10 “And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. Thou, therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread always at my table.”
David could have forgotten about the covenant, after all, those who knew about it were all dead, but David was a man of his word. However, he did not keep the covenant out of obligation, but he fulfilled it out of love.
We could learn much from David and Jonathan’s relationship. First, if we are saved, we should feel a kindred spirit with other Christians. We have a common bond. Second, when we make a covenant, we should keep it! Every effort should be made to honor our covenants. We must have a forgiving spirit, a willingness to love even when the circumstances seem impossible. Third, we should be willing to go above and beyond the duty of the covenant. By the covenant, David was only required to not kill Jonathan’s offspring and to show kindness. However, he went well beyond his promise by bringing his offspring to the palace and providing for them.
What covenants or promises have you made? Have you kept them?
