<P> According to Mendhenhall, pressures from outside invaders led the loosely bound Israelite tribes to converge into monarchical unity for stability and solidarity . He also argues that during this consolidation, the new state also had to unify the religious traditions that belonged to the different groups to prevent dissent from those who might believe that the formation of a state would replace direct governance from God . Therefore, Mendenhall continues, these loosely bound tribes merged under the Mosaic covenant to legitimize their unity . They believed that to obey the law was to obey God . They also believed that the king was put into power as a result of God's benefaction, and that this accession was the fulfillment of God's promise of dynasty to David . Mendenhall also notes that a conflict arose between those who believed in the Davidic covenant, and those who believed that God would not support all actions of the state . As a result, both sides became relatively aloof, and the Davidic covenant and the Mosaic covenant were almost entirely forgotten . </P> <P> Students of the Bible hold wildly differing opinions as to how many major covenants exist (or did exist) between God and humanity, with numbers ranging from one to at least twelve . (See covenant theology and dispensationalism for further information on two of the major viewpoints .) </P> <P> The Noahic covenant applies to all of humanity and to all other living creatures . In this covenant, God promises never again to destroy all life on Earth by flood and creates the rainbow as the sign of this "everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth". </P> <P> The covenant found in Genesis 12--17 is known as the Brit bein HaBetarim, the "Covenant Between the Parts" in Hebrew, and is the basis for brit milah (covenant of circumcision) in Judaism . The covenant was for Abraham and his seed, or offspring, both of natural birth and adoption . </P>

What is the promise of the old covenant