Who was Jonathan in the Bible?
Jonathan appears in the Bible as the son of King Saul, a soldier of remarkable courage, and the closest friend David ever had. His story runs alongside David's rise, and it ends on a battlefield with his father — which raises the hardest question about him: how could a man who loved David so deeply die fighting on the wrong side?
The name and the hour
Jonathan steps into Israel's history when the nation is at its lowest, and his name carries its own comment on that timing.
W. W. FeredayJonathan — "Jehovah has given" (as real a gift from God to Israel as Paul was to the Church) — came forward at a very evil time in Israel. The king of the people's choice was already a failure. The very enemy he was specially appointed to save Israel from was oppressing the nation badly. The people had everywhere been disarmed — the king and his son alone were allowed to keep their swords — and even the blacksmiths' shops were closed by order of the Philistines, so that no weapons could be forged.
The soldier
His early record is a string of daring attacks, and one near-fatal collision with his father's rash oath.
Morrish Bible DictionarySon of Saul and friend of David. Jonathan was a valiant man, and a man of faith. He killed the garrison of the Philistines in Geba. This caused the Philistines to gather their armies together; and Jonathan went secretly and alone with his armour-bearer, but in reliance on the Lord, up to their garrison, and the Philistines were struck down. But Jonathan, chasing them, tasted a little wild honey, not knowing that his father had pronounced a curse on anyone who ate food before evening... the lot fell on Jonathan and his father said he must die; but the army rescued him.
Two men against an army
Climbing a cliff with one armour-bearer to attack a garrison looks reckless. Jonathan's own words show the reasoning behind it.
W. W. FeredayTo Jonathan the Philistines, whatever their numbers and skill, were simply "these uncircumcised" — men not in relationship with God. Israel, on the other hand, was in relationship with God... Faith in Jonathan therefore could see no difficulty. If God was not with the Philistines, they had no real power; and if God was indeed with Israel, then almighty power was at hand, if only there was faith to use it.
Love that stripped itself
After David killed Goliath, Jonathan gave him his robe, his sword and his bow. Writers note what that gift reveals about where his heart had gone.
C. H. MackintoshIt was not merely the victory but the victor that filled the heart of Jonathan — not merely the work done, but the one who had done it. Jonathan did not rest satisfied with saying, "Thank God, the giant is dead, and we are delivered, and we may go home and enjoy ourselves." No; he felt his heart drawn and knit to the person of the conqueror. It was not that he valued the victory less, but he valued the victor more.
The friend in the wood
Jonathan's finest service came when David was hunted, betrayed by the very townsmen he had rescued, and had nowhere to turn.
W. W. FeredayJust then, Jonathan, Saul's son, arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. Spiritual fellowship and brotherly sympathy is as refreshing as the dew of heaven. Let us not look for it, but let us show it, for many are in need of it.
The one thing he never did
In that same meeting Jonathan handed David the throne — and then added three words about himself.
J. T. MawsonThere the strength of Jonathan's devotion declared itself; there also he betrayed its weakness. David first, but "I NEXT." Oh, why did he not stop after he had declared that the kingdom was David's, and stay silent about himself! Why did he not leave the choice of his place to his king?... It was the coming in of the capital "I" — his thought for himself — that was the undoing of Jonathan. This carried him back to his father's court, where his friend was hated.
He died with Saul on Mount Gilboa, and David's lament called his love wonderful. Commentators read his end as more than a personal tragedy.
Morrish Bible DictionaryNevertheless Jonathan stayed with his father, rather than with the one anointed by God to be His king, and with his father he died. In this he was a type of the future remnant, who, having left the true David, will go through the tribulation.
Other men named Jonathan
The name belongs to several people in Scripture, so context decides which one is meant. One of them was a giant-killer in his own right.
Morrish Bible DictionarySon of Shimeah, David's brother. He killed the giant who had twelve fingers and twelve toes.
Others include a son of Abiathar the priest who carried messages for David, two of David's mighty men, and David's uncle, who served as his counsellor and secretary.
Summary
- Given. His name means "Jehovah has given," and he was given to Israel at its most hopeless hour, when the nation had no weapons and a failed king.
- Daring. His faith did simple arithmetic — God is not with the enemy, God is with Israel — and two men routed an army.
- Devoted. He loved the victor more than the victory, and stripped off his own robe, sword and bow to clothe David.
- Strengthening. His best hour was the wood, where he found a hunted friend and strengthened his hand in God.
- Divided. "You shall be king, and I next" — the one word about himself sent him back to Saul's court, and he died there, loving David but never following him.