9 Bible Verses about Alliances
Most Relevant Verses
Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. He was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. They were Abram's allies.
Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham. They said: God is with you in all that you do. Swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity. Consider the kindness that I have shown to you. Please show it to me and to the land in which you have sojourned. Abraham said: I swear it.read more.
Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well of water that the servants of Abimelech had seized. Abimelech said: I do not know who has done this thing. You did not tell me, nor did I hear of it until today. Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech. The two of them made a covenant. Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. Abimelech asked Abraham: What do these seven ewe lambs mean, which you have set by themselves? He said: You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that it may be a witness to me, that I dug this well. Therefore he called that place Beer-sheba, because there the two of them took an oath. They made a covenant at Beer-sheba. Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, arose and returned to the land of the Philistines. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beer-sheba. There he called on the name of Jehovah, the Everlasting God. Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for many days.
Abimelech came from Gerar with Ahuzzath, his friend (companion), and Phicol, the commander of his army, to see Isaac. Isaac asked: Why have you now come to see me? You were so unfriendly to me before and made me leave your country. They answered: Now we know that Jehovah is with you. We think that there should be a solemn agreement between us. We want you to promiseread more.
that you will not harm us. We did not harm you. We were kind to you and let you go peacefully. Now it is clear that Jehovah has blessed you. Isaac prepared a feast for them, and they ate and drank. Early the next morning each man made his promise and sealed it with a vow. Isaac said good-bye to them. They parted as friends. That day Isaac's servants told him about the well they dug. They said: We have found water. Isaac named the well Shibah. The town is still called Beer-sheba.
Now, let us make an agreement (covenant) and let it stand as a witness between you and me. Jacob took a stone and set it up as a marker. Jacob said to his relatives: Gather some stones. They took stones, put them into a pile, and ate there by the pile of stones.read more.
In his language, Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha (Witness Pile), but Jacob called it Galeed. Laban said: This pile of stones stands as a witness between you and me today. This is why it was named Galeed, and also Mizpah (Watchtower), because he said: May Jehovah watch between you and me when we are unable to see each other. If you mistreat my daughters or marry other women behind my back, remember that God stands as a witness between you and me. Laban also said to Jacob: Here is the pile of stones. Here is the marker that I have set up between you and me. This pile of stones and this marker stand as witnesses that I will not go past the pile of stones to harm you, and that you will not go past the pile of stones or marker to harm me. May the God of Abraham and Nahor the God of their father judge between us. So Jacob swore this oath out of respect for his father Isaac. He offered a sacrifice on the mountain. He invited his relatives to eat the meal with him. They ate with him and spent the night on the mountain.
While Israel remained at Shittim, the people indulged in sexual immorality with the Moabite women. The Moabites invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods. The people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel joined itself to Baal of Peor. Jehovah was angry against Israel.
When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, They resorted to a ruse (scheme) (trick). They acted as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, worn out, torn, and mended. They had worn out and patched shoes on their feet, they wore old garments; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy.read more.
They went to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel: We come from a distant country, make a treaty with us. The men of Israel said to the Hivites: Perhaps you live near us. How can we make a treaty with you? They said: We are your servants. Joshua said to them: Who are you? Where do you come from? They said: From a very far country, your servants came because of the name of Jehovah your God, for we have heard about him and all he did in Egypt; and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. Our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying: 'Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them: We are your servants. Therefore make a treaty with us.' We took hot fresh bread for our provision out of our houses on the day we came to you. Now it is dry, and it is moldy: These bottles of wine, which we filled, were new and now they are cracked. Our garments and shoes have become old by reason of the very long journey. The men sampled their provisions but did not ask for counsel from Jehovah. Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live. The leaders of the congregation ratified it by an oath. At the end of three days after they had made a treaty with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived among them. The children of Israel journeyed to their cities on the third day. Their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim. The children of Israel did not kill them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by Jehovah God of Israel. The entire congregation murmured against the princes. But all the leaders said to the entire congregation: We have sworn to them by Jehovah the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. This we will do to them. We will even let them live in case we become angry. This is because of the oath we swore to them. The leaders said to them: Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water to the entire congregation as the leaders had promised them. Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying: Why did you deceive us, saying: 'We are very far from you' when you dwell among us? Now you are cursed, and none of you will be freed from being slaves, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God. They answered Joshua: For the reason that it was absolutely told to your servants, how Jehovah your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and destroy all the inhabitants of the land. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you. So we did this thing. Now we are in your hands. Do to us what seems good and right to you. Joshua saved them from the children of Israel. They did not kill them. Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of Jehovah, even to this day, in the place he should choose.
David and his six hundred men went over at once to Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath. David and his men and their families lived with Achish at Gath. David brought his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. Word soon reached Saul that David fled to Gath. So he stopped hunting for him.read more.
David said to Achish: If it is all right with you, let me live in one of the outlying towns. Why should I live in the royal city with you? Achish immediately gave him Ziklag. This is why Ziklag still belongs to the kings of Judah today. David lived in Philistine territory for one year and four months. David and his men raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. Their territory extends from Telaim to Shur and Egypt. David attacked the territory and left no man or woman alive. He also took sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, and clothing and returned to Achish. Achish would ask: Whom did you raid today? David would answer: The south country (Negev) in Judah, or the south country of the Jerahmeelites, or the south country of the Kenites. He did not bring a single man or woman back to Gath alive. He thought, they could tell Achish what I really did. This was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. Achish trusted David and thought: David's people must be furious with him. From now on he will have to take orders from me.
From Thematic Bible
Alliances » Evil » Examples of heathen nations uniting in
They gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord (unanimously) (one purpose).
Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon gathered together. They and all their hosts came before Gibeon and camped. Then they made war against it.
Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish. Joshua killed him and his people, until he had left none remaining.
Eglon joined the Ammonites and the Amalekites. They defeated Israel and captured Jericho, the city of palm trees.
Alliances » Evil » Examples of God's people seeking
After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with King Ahaziah of Israel, who led him to do evil.
Do not run until your feet are bare and your throats are dry. But you say that it is useless. You love foreign gods and follow them.
Let there be an agreement between us just as there was between my father and your father. I have sent you an offering of silver and gold. End your agreement with Baasha, king of Israel that he may give up attacking me.
You go to Egypt for help without asking for my advice. You want Egypt to protect you. You put your trust in Egypt's military might.
Alliances » Political » With idolaters forbidden
Jehovah your God will deliver them to you. You must crush them! Completely destroy them. You should make no covenant with them. Do not show them mercy.
A prophet, Jehu son of Hanani, went to meet the king. He said to him: Do you think it is right to help those who are wicked and to take the side of those who hate Jehovah? What you have done has brought Jehovah's anger upon you.
You go to Egypt for help without asking for my advice. You want Egypt to protect you. You put your trust in Egypt's military might.
How horrible it will be for those who go to Egypt for help! Cursed are those who rely on very strong warhorses, who depend on many chariots. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel. They do not seek Jehovah.
The people of Ephraim try to catch the wind and try to chase the east wind all day. They are very dishonest, violent and destructive. They make treaties with Assyria and take olive oil to Egypt.
Alliances » Ratification of » By oaths
Swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity. Consider the kindness that I have shown to you. Please show it to me and to the land in which you have sojourned.
They answered: Now we know that Jehovah is with you. We think that there should be a solemn agreement between us. We want you to promise that you will not harm us. We did not harm you. We were kind to you and let you go peacefully. Now it is clear that Jehovah has blessed you. Isaac prepared a feast for them, and they ate and drank. read more.
Early the next morning each man made his promise and sealed it with a vow. Isaac said good-bye to them. They parted as friends.
Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live. The leaders of the congregation ratified it by an oath. At the end of three days after they had made a treaty with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived among them. The children of Israel journeyed to their cities on the third day. Their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim. read more.
The children of Israel did not kill them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by Jehovah God of Israel. The entire congregation murmured against the princes. But all the leaders said to the entire congregation: We have sworn to them by Jehovah the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. This we will do to them. We will even let them live in case we become angry. This is because of the oath we swore to them.
May our promise to each other still be unbroken. If it is broken, Jehovah will punish you. Once again Jonathan made David promise to love him. Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.
Alliances » Instances of » Zedekiah and pharaoh
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon appointed Zedekiah, son of Josiah, to be king of Judah. Zedekiah succeeded Jehoiakin, son of Jehoiakim. Zedekiah, his administrators, and the common people did not listen to what Jehovah spoke through the prophet Jeremiah. King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to the prophet Jeremiah. They asked him: Please pray to Jehovah our God for us. read more.
Jeremiah was still free to come and go among the people. The people of Jerusalem had not put him in prison yet. Pharaoh's army came from Egypt. When the Babylonians who were blockading Jerusalem heard this news, they retreated from Jerusalem. Jehovah spoke his word to the prophet Jeremiah: This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: 'Say this to the king of Judah, who sent you to get advice from me: Pharaoh's army has come out to help you. But it will go back to Egypt, its own land. Then the Babylonians will return. They will attack the city, capture it, and burn it down.
But he rebelled against him! He sent his envoys to Egypt that they might give him horses and many troops. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things escape? Can he indeed break the covenant and escape?' As I am alive,' says the Lord Jehovah, 'this king will die in Babylon because he broke his oath and the treaty with the one who put him on the throne the king of Babylon. Even the powerful army of the king of Egypt will not be able to help him fight when the Babylonians build earthworks and dig trenches in order to kill many people.
Alliances » Instances of » Ahaz and tiglath
Ahaz took some of the things from Jehovah's temple, the royal palace, and the princes. He gave them to the king of Assyria. But that did not help him.
Ahaz sent representatives to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying: I am your servant and your son. Come help me against the kings of Aram and Israel who have taken up arms against me. Ahaz took the silver and gold in the Temple of Jehovah and in the king's storehouse, and sent them as an offering to the king of Assyria.
Alliances » Instances of » Asa and benhadad
Then Asa took all the silver and gold still stored in Jehovah's Temple, and in the king's house, and delivered them, in the care of his servants, to Ben-hadad, son of Tabrimmon, son of Rezon, king of Aram, at Damascus. He said: Let there be an agreement between us just as there was between my father and your father. I have sent you an offering of silver and gold. End your agreement with Baasha, king of Israel that he may give up attacking me.
He said: There is a treaty between you and me as there was between your father and my father. I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with King Baasha of Israel so that he will leave me alone.
Alliances » Instances of » Jehoshaphat and ahab
Alliances » Instances of » Solomon and hiram
Jehovah kept his promise and gave Solomon wisdom. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon for they made a treaty with each other.
Jehovah continued: For the many transgressions of Tyre I will not withdraw punishment! They captured all the people and delivered them to Edom. They did not remember the brotherly covenant.
Alliances » Instances of » Isaac and abimelech
Abimelech came from Gerar with Ahuzzath, his friend (companion), and Phicol, the commander of his army, to see Isaac. Isaac asked: Why have you now come to see me? You were so unfriendly to me before and made me leave your country. They answered: Now we know that Jehovah is with you. We think that there should be a solemn agreement between us. We want you to promise read more.
that you will not harm us. We did not harm you. We were kind to you and let you go peacefully. Now it is clear that Jehovah has blessed you. Isaac prepared a feast for them, and they ate and drank. Early the next morning each man made his promise and sealed it with a vow. Isaac said good-bye to them. They parted as friends.
Alliances » Instances of » Abraham and abimelech
Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham. They said: God is with you in all that you do. Swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity. Consider the kindness that I have shown to you. Please show it to me and to the land in which you have sojourned. Abraham said: I swear it. read more.
Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well of water that the servants of Abimelech had seized. Abimelech said: I do not know who has done this thing. You did not tell me, nor did I hear of it until today. Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech. The two of them made a covenant. Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. Abimelech asked Abraham: What do these seven ewe lambs mean, which you have set by themselves? He said: You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that it may be a witness to me, that I dug this well. Therefore he called that place Beer-sheba, because there the two of them took an oath. They made a covenant at Beer-sheba. Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, arose and returned to the land of the Philistines.
Alliances » Instances of » Moabites, amalekites, and ammonites
The people of Israel sinned against Jehovah again. Because of this Jehovah made King Eglon of Moab stronger than Israel. Eglon joined the Ammonites and the Amalekites. They defeated Israel and captured Jericho, the city of palm trees.
Alliances » Instances of » Canaanitish nations against israel
All the kings west of Jordan heard these things; the kings in the hills, and in the valleys, in all the coasts of the Great (Mediterraean) Sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite heard these things. They gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord (unanimously) (one purpose).
Alliances » Instances of » Jehoshaphat and ahaziah
After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with King Ahaziah of Israel, who led him to do evil.
Alliances » Instances of » Between abraham and mamre, eshcol, and aner
Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. He was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. They were Abram's allies.
Alliances » Instances of » Rezin and pekah
Rezin king of Aram, and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came to Jerusalem to make war. They attacked Ahaz but could not conquer him.
Alliances » Ratification of » By giving the hand
We have given our hands to the Egyptians and to the Assyrians so that we might have enough bread.
Alliances » Instances of » Joshua and the gibeonites
Evil » Alliances » Examples of heathen nations uniting in
They gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord (unanimously) (one purpose).
Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon gathered together. They and all their hosts came before Gibeon and camped. Then they made war against it.
Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish. Joshua killed him and his people, until he had left none remaining.
Eglon joined the Ammonites and the Amalekites. They defeated Israel and captured Jericho, the city of palm trees.
Evil » Alliances » Examples of God's people seeking
After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with King Ahaziah of Israel, who led him to do evil.
Do not run until your feet are bare and your throats are dry. But you say that it is useless. You love foreign gods and follow them.
Let there be an agreement between us just as there was between my father and your father. I have sent you an offering of silver and gold. End your agreement with Baasha, king of Israel that he may give up attacking me.
You go to Egypt for help without asking for my advice. You want Egypt to protect you. You put your trust in Egypt's military might.
Topics on Alliances
Political Alliances, By Oaths
1 Samuel 20:16-17May our promise to each other still be unbroken. If it is broken, Jehovah will punish you.
