Topic: Persons Of The Bible - Jonathan

The name "Jonathan" is from the Hebrew name יְהוֹנָתָן (Yehonatan) (contracted to יוֹנָתָן (Yonatan)) meaning "YAHWEH has given," "whom Jehovah gave," or "the gift of Jehovah."

The name "Jonathan" is the name of fifteen or more persons mentioned in Scripture. The chief of these are…

• A Levite descended from Gershom (Judg. 18:30). His history is recorded in 17:7-13 and 18:30. The Rabbis changed this name into Manasseh "to screen the memory of the great lawgiver from the stain of having so unworthy an apostate among his near descendants." He became priest of the idol image at Dan, and this office continued in his family till the Captivity.
• This Jonathan was the eldest son of King Saul (B.C. about 1095-1056), and the bosom friend of David. He is first mentioned when he was about thirty years of age, some time after his father's accession to the throne (1 Sam. 13:2). Like his father, he was a man of great strength and activity (2 Sam. 1:23), and excelled in archery and slinging (1 Chr. 12:2;2 Sam. 1:22). He was also famous as a warrior, (1 Chronicles 12:2) as is shown by his courage is shown in attacking the garrison of the Philistines, in company with his only his armor-bearer, and slaying twenty men and putting an army to flight. (1 Samuel 14:6-16) During the pursuit, Jonathan, who had not heard of the rash curse, ch. (1 Samuel 14:24) which Saul invoked on any one who ate before the evening, tasted the honey which lay on the ground. Saul would have sacrificed him; but the people interposed in behalf of the hero of that great day, and Jonathan was saved. ch. (1 Samuel 14:24-45) The affection evidently subsisting between him and his father was interrupted by the growth of Saul's insanity. At length, "in fierce anger," he left his father's presence and cast in his lot with the cause of David (1 Sam. 20:34). The chief interest of Jonathan's career is derived from the friendship with David, which began on the day of David's return from the victory over the champion of Gath , and continued till his death. After an eventful career, interwoven to a great extent with that of David, he fell, along with his father and his two brothers, on the fatal field of Gilboa (1 Sam. 31:2, 8). He was first buried at Jabesh-gilead, but his remains were afterwards removed with those of his father to Zelah, in Benjamin (2 Sam. 21:12-14). His death was the occasion of David's famous elegy of "the Song of the Bow" (2 Sam. 1:17-27). He left one son five years old, Merib-baal, or Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 4:4; comp. 1 Chr. 8:34).
• Son of the high priest Abiathar, and one who adhered to David at the time of Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15:36; 17:15-21; 1 Kings 1:42,43) (B.C. 1023.). He is the last descendant of Eli of whom there is any record.
• A son of Shammah, and a nephew of David. (2 Samuel 21:21; 1 Chronicles 20:7). He engaged in single combat with and slew a gigantic Philistine of Gath. (2 Samuel 21:21) (B.C. 1018.)
• One of David's heroes. (2 Samuel 23:32; 1 Chronicles 11:34)
• The son or descendant of Gershom the son of Moses. (Judges 18:30) Micah (B.C. about 1425.)

Derived from Easton's and Smith's Bible Dictionaries

Fair Use. Presented for educational purposes only.

If these words have been a blessing, please forward them to a friend.

These words were posted at one of Shepherd's Care Ministries Sites called Wisdom Minute. This site is located at:
http://www.shepherdscare.net/wisdomminute

Shepherd's Care Ministries Main Site located at:
http://www.shepherdscare.net/