2. Exchange of weapons – Next the parties often exchanged weapons. This represented a pledge of strength and protection, a promise to safeguard and protect the other, along with an exchange of enemies. When Jonathan gave his sword and his bow to David, he is pledging his strength to David’s protection. David’s enemies are Jonathan’s enemies—even when that enemy turned out to be Jonathan’s own father.
We see evidence of this aspect of their covenant, when Jonathan protects David’s life on several occasions. He saved David’s life by warning David that his father wanted to kill him and helping him to hide (1 Sam. 19:2). He defended David verbally and for a time turned his father’s heart back to David. (1 Sam. 19:4-6).
Later, when Saul again turns against David, Jonathan risked his own life by sticking up for David and, in the process, angering his father to the point that Saul cast a javelin at Jonathan. He then warned David of the danger with the pre-arranged sign of the arrows. (1 Sam. 20:18-42). Jonathan kept his covenant to David.
Both young men understood this aspect of their covenants with God as well. David demonstrated it in his response to Goliath’s challenge. As you know, Goliath was so formidable he held the entire army of Israel at bay. The Bible states, “And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.” (1 Sam. 17:24) David’s response is different. He asks, “who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26; emphasis added) Circumcision was the mark of the covenant between God and his people, Israel. David understood what it means to be in a covenant relationship with God. It is not just the armies of Israel that Goliath defies, he is defying God as well. (Goliath may also have understood this. He may have believed that he had the favor of whatever pagan deity he worshiped and that he was also defying Israel’s God. He finds out that Israel’s God is God indeed.)
David’s older brother is angry with David and thinks he is being a willful, proud and foolish young man (1 Sam. 17:28). He see’s only the vast gap between the abilities and size of Goliath and that of David. His response reminds me a little of Laman and Lemuel, who can’t believe that the Lord is mightier than Laban.
Even King Saul doubt’s David. David has no experience in war, but he recounts how he has killed a lion, and a bear while tending sheep. He testifies, “Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God…The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Sam. 17:36-37) David again emphasizes Goliath’s lack of covenant status as contrasted with his own covenant with the Lord.
Despite Goliath’s formidable strength and ability—it is the arm of flesh. David understands what it means to go forth in the strength of the Lord (Mosiah 10:10-11).
Now a word of caution against taking this concept too far. David didn’t go around putting himself in foolish situations and expecting the Lord to save him from his own stupidity. He was skilled and practiced with his sling. He selected 5 stones—indicating he didn’t necessarily expect to be successful on the first try. He most likely was prompted by the Holy Ghost and knew that what he was doing was the Lord’s will. When we have the reassurance that the Lord is with us and we are doing his will, then our faithfulness to our covenants allows us to expect the Lord’s assistance even by miracles. David demonstrates his understanding of his covenant with the Lord by word and deed.
In this Jonathan was not a whit behind David in courage, skill or understanding. He and his armor bearer were alone when they came upon a garrison of 20 Philistines. Jonathan stated, “Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.” (1 Sam. 14:6). Before proceeding, Jonathan sought and received a sign from the Lord that the Lord was indeed with them. (1 Sam. 14:9-10) With this reassurance, Jonathan lead the way and the two proceeded to slay the twenty men single-handedly.
This understanding is important to our faith as well.
In further covenantal language, we are invited to take upon ourselves the “whole armor of God” including the “breastplate of righteousness”, the “shield of faith” and the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:13-17). As covenant partners, God will be our strength. (1 Nephi 21:5, Psalm 27:1) Our enemies, Satan, death and the natural man, becomes the Lord’s enemies as well. In the strength of the Lord, we shall contend against our enemies (Words of Mormon 1:14). Those not in covenant are left to their own strength. (Mosiah 10:11) Indeed, Paul testified that the Lord’s covenant people “can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth [them]”. (Phil. 4:13)
Of course, the Lord permits us to be tried and tested. He allows failure, setbacks, heart-aches, disappointments and opposition according as we need and as He sees fit. Even the Savior was not exempt from these things. But we have the assurance as we are faithful, that these will all be temporary. The ultimate outcome is without doubt. (D&C 122:7-9)
Consider these words, and remember they are the Lord's, from the dedication of the Kirtland Temple:
We ask thee, Holy Father, to establish the people that shall worship, and honorably hold a name and standing in this thy house, to all generations and for eternity;
That no weapon formed against them shall prosper; that he who diggeth a pit for them shall fall into the same himself;
That no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house;
And if any shall rise up against this people, that thine anger be kindled against them;
And if they shall smite this people wilt thou smite them; thou wilt fight for thy people as thou didst in the day of battle, that they may be delivered from the hands of all their enemies. (D&C 109:24-28)
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