Who was Jonathan in the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Jonathan was King Saul’s son (1 Samuel 13:16) and best known for his friendship with David (1 Samuel 18:1). His father, fearing David’s popularity (1 Samuel 18:6–9), commanded Jonathan and others to kill him (1 Samuel 19:1). Jonathan became torn between loyalty to his father and loyalty to David. Before David fled the kingdom, he devised a test to prove to Jonathan that Saul would really kill him if he had the chance (1 Samuel 20:5–7). David planned to skip the king’s feast to see how Saul would respond. They established a signal Jonathan could use to tell David the outcome (1 Samuel 20:18–23). Saul became violently angry (1 Samuel 20:30–31), and Jonathan warned David to flee for his life (1 Samuel 20:35–40). They met again at the place of the signal (1 Samuel 20:41–42).

Jonathan was also known for unknowingly violating his father’s vow not to eat until their enemies were captured (1 Samuel 14:24), eating wild honey (1 Samuel 14:27). Despite also splaying the enemy virtually single-handedly (1 Samuel 14:13–15), Saul still intended to kill Jonathan, but the people intervened (1 Samuel 14:45). Jonathan ultimately died in battle shortly before his father’s death (1 Samuel 31:1–7). Jonathan’s conviction in God’s promises to David as future king was the foundation for his willingness to side with David when he had to choose between him and his father. We would also do well to be firmly grounded in God’s promises in His Word so that we make good decisions when faced with difficult choices.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• From the moment Jonathan, King Saul’s son (1 Samuel 13:16), met David, “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1).
• The strong bond between these two men ultimately saved David’s life when Saul grew jealous and began to hate David as he became more popular (1 Samuel 18:6–9). Because of this, “Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David” (1 Samuel 19:1). However, “Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David,” and warned David about Saul’s intentions (1 Samuel 19:1–2).
• Jonathan thought he had calmed his father down (1 Samuel 19:4–7), but David did not believe Saul had truly changed. He devised a test to prove to Jonathan that if he returned to Saul, Saul would kill him (1 Samuel 20:5–7). The plan was that David would intentionally skip the king’s feast and wait for Saul’s reaction. Jonathan and David set up a signal: how he shot an arrow and what he said would signal to David in hiding whether it was safe to return or flee (1 Samuel 20:18–23).
• At first Saul took David’s absence in stride (1 Samuel 20:26). But after questioning Jonathan the next day (1 Samuel 20:27–29), “Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, ‘You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die’” (1 Samuel 20:30–31).
• Jonathan then realized David would never be safe and signaled for David to flee (1 Samuel 20:35–39). The two men said their final goodbyes before David left, and they would never see each other again (1 Samuel 20:40–42).
• Besides that famous encounter, Jonathan was also known for an earlier confrontation with his father. While they were pursuing an enemy, Saul made the rash vow that his men were not to eat until they captured their enemies (1 Samuel 14:24). Jonathan was not present and did not know this and ate some wild honey (1 Samuel 14:27). Even though he also killed many enemies with just his armor bearer (1 Samuel 14:13–15), Saul intended to kill him for violating his rash vow (1 Samuel 14:44). The people intervened to spare Jonathan’s life (1 Samuel 14:45).
• In the end, Jonathan died in battle alongside his father (1 Samuel 31:1–7). King David would later honor Jonathan by sparing the life of his son, Mephibosheth, because of his promise and love for Jonathan (2 Samuel 21:7).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jonathan is not mentioned in the New Testament.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Jonathan displayed integrity and loyalty when faced with participating in a clearly sinful and unwarranted attempt on David’s life by his father. Given the earlier account of Saul nearly killing him because of a foolish vow, Jonathan had every reason to believe that helping David might invite his own death. Yet, he remained faithful to his promise and helped save David’s life.

Though the consequences for us likely aren’t as large as Jonathan’s, we’ve all faced situations where we must decide between honoring God and following the path of least resistance to avoid harm or suffering from our peers. How we respond in these situations shows a little bit about who we are in our hearts.

That doesn’t mean we will never fail or make the wrong decision. Many Christian men and women have made poor, self-serving decisions. But our aim should be a life that honors God even when it brings the hatred of the world.

Living like that begins with a firm belief in God and His Son, Jesus. If we are not clear on what we believe and who God is, we will compromise and crumble under pressure. Then, we must live by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Part of that means evaluating everything we do in the light of Scripture. Doing so will train us to discern right from wrong and help us decide quickly when facing a hard choice.

As a believer, you have the Spirit living in you (Romans 8:9), and He will give you the strength you need to overcome this world. Strive to live faithfully, listening to Him through the Word, so that next time you face a difficult decision, you can stand against the pressure and honor God.

UNDERSTAND

• Jonathan was King Saul’s son and a courageous warrior.
• Jonathan chose loyalty to David over his father’s opposition.
• Jonathan’s life demonstrates selfless and sacrificial loyalty.

REFLECT

• How does Jonathan's willingness to sacrifice his claim to the throne challenge you to think about your priorities?
• In what ways does Jonathan illustrate for you the willingness to do what is right even when it may cost you?
• How does the depth of Jonathan and David's friendship change how you think about the loyalty and sacrificial love God calls you to in your relationships?

ENGAGE

• How does Jonathan's covenant with David function as more than a simple gesture of kindness, and how should that challenge us in our friendships?
• What does Jonathan's willingness to stand between his father and David reveal about how a person of integrity navigates competing loyalties?
• How does Jonathan’s story challenge the way we define success or greatness?