Jonathan
“Jehovah has given”
Summary
A Hebrew name meaning 'Jehovah has given,' borne by numerous men in Scripture, most notably Saul's eldest son whose legendary friendship with David exemplifies selfless devotion transcending personal ambition.
☩The Son of Saul
Jonathan was King Saul's eldest son and heir to the throne, first mentioned commanding a garrison when he was likely about thirty years old. He was renowned for great strength and agility, and especially famous for his skill with the bow—it was his constant companion, 'the bow of Jonathan turned not back.' His bold faith was demonstrated when he and his armor-bearer alone attacked a Philistine garrison at Michmash, reasoning 'there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.' They slew twenty men, triggering a panic that led to a great Israelite victory, though Jonathan nearly died when he unknowingly violated Saul's rash oath by eating wild honey during the pursuit.
☩Friendship with David
The friendship between Jonathan and David began immediately after David's victory over Goliath, when 'the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.' Jonathan made a covenant with David, giving him his own robe, armor, sword, and bow—symbols of his willingness to yield his succession rights. When Saul's jealousy turned murderous, Jonathan repeatedly defended David and warned him of danger, even at the cost of being publicly humiliated and nearly killed by his own father's spear. At their final meeting in the woods of Ziph, Jonathan 'strengthened his hand in God,' acknowledging 'you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you'—a remarkable submission of personal ambition to God's revealed will.
☩Death and Legacy
Despite his covenant with David, Jonathan remained loyally at his father's side and died with Saul and his brothers in the catastrophic battle of Mount Gilboa against the Philistines. David's lament over them is one of Scripture's most moving elegies: 'Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided...How are the mighty fallen in the midst of battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.' David honored his covenant by showing kindness to Jonathan's crippled son Mephibosheth, restoring Saul's estate to him and having him eat at the royal table as a king's son.
☩Other Individuals
Several other men bore this name: a Levite descended from Moses who became priest for Micah's idols and later for the tribe of Dan; the son of Abiathar who served as courier during Absalom's rebellion and brought news of Solomon's succession; David's nephew who slew a Philistine giant; a son of Jada in the tribe of Judah; David's counselor and scribe; and the scribe in whose house Jeremiah was imprisoned.
Related Verses107 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Jonathan," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Jonathan," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.George Morrish, "Jonathan," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).