Jonathan

Jonathan is mentioned in the biblical Book of Samuel. He is the eldest son of King Saul of the Kingdom of Israel, and a friend of King David. He is described as having great strength and swiftness (2 Samuel 1:23) and excelling in archery (1 Samuel 20:20|NKJV, 2 Samuel 1:22) and slinging (1 Chronicles 12:2).

• [To his squire, who had joined him at the Philistines' ambush] Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.
  • 1 Samuel 14,6 (NKJV).
• [Having learned that Saul had ordered fasting until evening] But Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?”
  • 1 Samuel 14,29-30 (NKJV).
• (To Saul) Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you. For he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?
  • 1 Samuel 19,4-5 (NKJV).
• (To David) Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that.
  • 1 Samuel 23,17 (NKJV).

• Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
  • 1 Samuel 18,1-3 (NKJV).
• Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives,
  And in their death they were not divided;
  They were swifter than eagles,
  They were stronger than lions.
  • 2 Samuel 1,23 (NKJV).

• I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
  You have been very pleasant to me;
  Your love to me was wonderful,
  Surpassing the love of women.
  • 2 Samuel 1,26 (NKJV)