In the biblical narrative, covenants often served as formal agreements between parties to secure mutual benefits, including military assistance. These covenants were not merely political or military alliances but were often imbued with religious significance, invoking the name of God to underscore their solemnity and binding nature.

1. The Covenant Between Abraham and Abimelech

One of the earliest examples of a covenant for mutual benefit, including military support, is found in the relationship between Abraham and Abimelech, king of Gerar. In Genesis 21:22-32, Abimelech approaches Abraham, recognizing God's favor upon him, and proposes a covenant to ensure peaceful relations and mutual support. Abraham agrees, and they swear an oath at Beersheba. This covenant, while primarily focused on peace, implicitly includes mutual defense, as it establishes a bond of loyalty and non-aggression.

2. The Gibeonite Deception and Covenant with Israel

In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites, fearing the advancing Israelites, resort to deception to secure a covenant of protection. Despite the deceit, the leaders of Israel honor the covenant, recognizing its binding nature before God. Joshua 9:15 states, "And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly swore an oath to them." This covenant later obligates Israel to defend the Gibeonites against a coalition of Amorite kings, as seen in Joshua 10:6-7, where the Gibeonites call upon Israel for military assistance, and Joshua responds by leading the Israelites to victory.

3. The Covenant Between Solomon and Hiram

King Solomon's covenant with Hiram, king of Tyre, is another example where mutual benefit, including military support, is evident. In 1 Kings 5:1-12, Hiram provides Solomon with cedar and cypress timber for the construction of the Temple, while Solomon supplies Hiram with wheat and oil. Although the primary focus is on trade and construction, the alliance between the two kingdoms implies a level of military cooperation and support, as was customary in ancient Near Eastern treaties.

4. The Covenant Between Asa and Ben-Hadad

In 1 Kings 15:18-20, King Asa of Judah seeks military assistance from Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, to counter the threat posed by Baasha, king of Israel. Asa sends silver and gold from the treasuries of the LORD's temple and the royal palace to Ben-Hadad, asking him to break his treaty with Baasha and form a new covenant with Judah. Ben-Hadad agrees, and his forces attack the northern cities of Israel, relieving the pressure on Judah. This covenant highlights the strategic use of alliances to procure military aid in times of war.

5. The Covenant Between Jehoshaphat and Ahab

In 1 Kings 22, King Jehoshaphat of Judah forms an alliance with King Ahab of Israel to fight against the Arameans at Ramoth Gilead. Despite the prophet Micaiah's warning, Jehoshaphat honors the covenant and joins Ahab in battle. This alliance, though ultimately ill-fated, demonstrates the use of covenants to secure military cooperation between neighboring kingdoms.

Throughout the biblical text, covenants designed for procuring assistance in war reflect the complex interplay of faith, politics, and military strategy. These agreements underscore the importance of loyalty and trust, often invoking divine witness to ensure their sanctity and adherence.1 Kings 15:18,19
Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelled at Damascus, saying,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Letter ix. Meditation.
... Sixth, by the fulfilment of promises, threatenings, covenants, &c., recorded in ... fitted
for the end for which it is designed, and that ... 1.) The procuring cause.1 ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter ix meditation.htm

Augustin's Part in the Controversy.
... that, in the prophet's view, the difference between the two covenants is that ... in
Pelagius' asseveration,"the theme of the first being "the assistance of the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/iii augustins part in the.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... the most degrading services, in the hope of procuring a little ... adds, 'God, who had,
as I hope, designed me for ... he was led to seek advice and assistance from a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Evangelical Revival.
... Some may say, "Our own service is public worship." Yes, in a sense, but not such
as to supersede the Church service. We never designed it should! ...
/.../chapter ix the evangelical revival.htm

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