Jonathan יְהוֹנָתָן

David's friend. Jonathan, the eldest son of King Saul, was a valiant warrior and a close friend of David, ultimately dying in battle alongside his father.

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Also called Jehonathan.

Family

Where Jonathan appears

1 Samuel (60), 2 Samuel (17), 1 Chronicles (5)

Key verses

• 1 Samuel 13:2 first mention — Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
• 1 Samuel 14:6 — And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
• 1 Samuel 14:45 — And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
• 1 Samuel 18:1 — And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
• 1 Samuel 19:4 — And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:
• 1 Samuel 20:3 — And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
• 1 Samuel 20:13 — The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
• 1 Samuel 20:30 — Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?
• 1 Samuel 23:16 — And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
• 2 Samuel 1:23 — Saul and Jonathan were lovely 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 9:1 — And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?
• 2 Samuel 9:7 — And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

Person data: STEPBible.org TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0), adapted. Several people in the Bible share this name; this page is about the one described above. Verse text: King James Version.