covenant is clearly different from that at Sinai. The similarities between the covenants with Abraham and David have sometimes been considered evidence for the dating of the patriarchal material in the period of the united monarchy. Secondly, it is a notable emphasis elsewhere, particularly in Deuteronomy, that God’s election and deliverance of Israel are in fulfilment of the oath sworn to the fathers (esp. Deut. 7:6–8). Although this could refer to all the promises to the patriarchs, it is presumably