Jonathan was the first son of King Saul and became a military commander in Saul’s army. He was well respected by his men and became known to all as a brave and capable leader. In reviewing the Biblical record regarding Jonathan, it is apparent that his most endearing trait was strong faith in the Lord. The fruit of this relationship was bravery in battle, loyalty in human relationships and discernment when conflicts arose.
Words: 1271 / Time to read: 7 minutes
Military Bravery
“Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, ‘Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!’ So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened. The price was two-thirds of a shekel for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.
“So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.”
1 Samuel 13:19-22
The Israelites had been reduced to fighting with whatever they had available. They were forced to develop skills in rudimentary weaponry. Judges 3:31 describes Shamgar, the third recorded Judge of Israel, using a oxgoad (prodding stick) to strike down 600 Philistines. Judges 20:16 and 1 Chronicles 12:2 mentioned Israelite soldiers who were skilled with a sling and stone.
Jonathan’s faith was not shaken even though he was the leader of a detachment of 1000 men with no weapons. He maintained full confidence in the Lord’s ability to deliver victory no matter how dire the circumstances. One day he secretly summoned his armor bearer and the two of them went to launch an attack even though they were outmatched. They initially killed about 20 Philistines but the Lord instilled a panic in the Philistine camp so that they started attacking and killing each other. This news spread to the Israelites who gained confidence and rallied a greater attack. Saul’s army was less than three thousand and had no weapons apart from a sword for the King and one for his son. The Philistine army had “three thousand chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore (1 Samuel 13:5).” It was from these lopsided odds that the faith of Jonathan shined brightest.
“Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, ‘Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.’”
1 Samuel 14:6
Jonathan had faith in the Lord to miraculously gain a victory and that faith was rewarded. Shortly after that battle, Jonathan unknowingly broke an oath that had been made by his father, King Saul. 1 Samuel 14: 24 states “Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!’ So none of the troops tasted food.” Jonathan was found to be guilty of eating honey from the comb and Saul was preparing to have him executed for breaking the oath. Jonathan’s men objected and interceded for their highly respected leader. Saul changed his mind and allowed Jonathan to live.
Over the years that followed King Saul engaged in various irrational behaviors which must have been a mental disorder of some sort. Saul grew jealous of David’s popularity because of his many victories in battle and saw him as a threat to the throne. Therefore he personally tried to kill him on more than one occasion. He used his army to hunt David with the intention of executing him without cause. Jonathan remained loyal to his father as much as was possible. However, because David was chosen by God and anointed by Samuel to be the next king, Jonathan tried to make peace between them. That only worked in the short term so he ended up assisting in David’s escape a number of times. Jonathan used his discernment to find the right balance in living with the conflict between Saul and David.
Loyalty
Jonathan was loyal in all his relationships. He initially became good friends with David after Goliath was killed in that epic challenge. They both shared a strong faith in God’s ability to deliver victory no matter how dire the circumstances. David served as a commander in Saul’s army and won many victories. The friendship of Jonathan and David grew stronger over the years. David married Michal, Jonathan’s sister, which added to their bond.
Eventually Samuel the prophet announced to Saul that the Lord was displeased with his behavior and he would be replaced by David, a man after God’s own heart. Jonathan acknowledged the Lord’s will and sought to help David keep his life even though his father Saul attempted to hunt him down and kill him. Saul became so enraged with Jonathan that he even tried to kill him, his own son. But Jonathan escaped without harm. Torn between loyalty to his father, his friend and his God, Jonathan masterfully placed God first and the other loyalties fell into place without any conflict. His loyalty to the Lord made it easy to place his loyalty to David above his father, even though his father was king. Note that Jonathan may have had a shot at becoming the next king but that temptation never became an issue. He backed David from the start and never wavered. David appreciated that loyalty.
The wisdom of Jonathan becomes clear in every incident recorded in his story. He had strong faith. He was a well respected commander. He was a son who treated his father with respect. He was a loyal friend. It is clear that he was unselfish and treated others well even when the cost to himself was great. His life offers us a good example to follow.
Death in Battle
Many years later Jonathan was killed in another battle with the Philistines. He died with honor. Unfortunately, his father took his own life in that same battle. David led the country in mourning for Saul and Jonathan and began his reign as King. In time, David made sure to honor Jonathan’s memory. He sought out Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son who was crippled, and gave him land and servants to take care of it. Mephibosheth enjoyed the privilege of eating at the king’s table for the rest of his days. The loyalty demonstrated by Jonathan paid high dividends to his posterity for many years. This was yet another act of loyalty to those generations he never knew.
Jonathan will always be remembered for his bravery, loyalty and discernment. His story is told in 1 Samuel chapters 13-31. He is also mentioned in David’s emotional eulogy recorded in 2 Samuel 2:17-27. The friendship between David and Jonathan is perhaps the strongest bond of friendship mentioned in the Bible.
“Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’”
1 Samuel 20:42
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:3-4
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
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