Jonathan's Brothers in the Book of 1 Samuel
Jonathan, the eldest son of King Saul, is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, particularly known for his deep friendship with David [7, 8]. While the biblical narrative focuses heavily on this relationship, it also mentions Jonathan's brothers, though with less detail. Jonathan's brothers were Abinadab and Malkishua [12]. These three sons of Saul died alongside their father in battle [12].
Jonathan himself was a man of considerable strength and military prowess, first mentioned in 1 Samuel as a warrior from the tribe of Benjamin [5, 7]. He demonstrated his courage by attacking a Philistine garrison with only his armor-bearer, slaying twenty men and putting an army to flight [4, 7]. This initiative stands in contrast to Saul's occasional inactivity [15]. Both Saul and Jonathan were recognized as military heroes, though David's reputation eventually surpassed theirs [10].
The relationship between Jonathan and David is a central theme in 1 Samuel. They shared many commonalities, including youth, capability, military heroism, and a strong faith in God [13]. Their bond was so profound that David lamented Jonathan's death with the words, "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women" [1, 3]. This deep affection led them to make a covenant, a practice common in the East for establishing sworn brotherhood [11]. Jonathan's loyalty to David was unwavering, even when David was in distress and facing Saul's wrath [9, 14]. He recognized and supported God's choice of David as the next king of Israel [13]. Jonathan even brought David to Saul, and David remained in Saul's presence as before [2].
Beyond Jonathan, the biblical text mentions other individuals named Jonathan, which can sometimes lead to confusion. For instance, there was a Levite named Jonathan, descended from Gershom, whose history is recorded in Judges 17-18. This Jonathan became a priest of an idol image at Dan, an office that continued in his family until the Captivity [8]. Another Jonathan is mentioned as a brother of David, and father of Jonathan and Jonadab, also known as Shimeah, Shammah, and Shimma [6]. This highlights the commonality of the name "Jonathan," meaning "the gift of Jehovah," in ancient Israel [8].
The narrative of Jonathan and his brothers is primarily found in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Their deaths are recorded in 1 Samuel 31:2, where Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua are listed as falling in battle with their father Saul [12]. This event marked a significant turning point in Israelite history, paving the way for David's ascension to the throne. The account underscores the tragic end of Saul's dynasty and the profound personal loss experienced by David.
Sources
- II Samuel “II Samuel 1:26 (YLT) — I am in distress for thee, my brother Jonathan, Very pleasant wast thou to me; Wonderful was thy love to me, Above the love of women!”
- 1 Samuel “Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things. Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as before. -- 1 Samuel 19:7”
- 2 Samuel “2 Samuel 1:26 (NASB) — "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women.”
- 1 Samuel “Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armor bearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armor bearer killed them after him. -- 1 Samuel 14:13”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H3083H — David's compatriot living at the time of United Monarchy (refs: #A warrior from the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.)”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Shimeah — + Brother of David, and father of Jonathan and Jonadab, (2 Samuel 21:21) called also Shammah, Shimea, and Shimma. (B.C. about 1060.) + A descendant of Jehiel, the father or founder of Gibeon. (1 Chronicles 8:32) (B.C. perhaps 536.)”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jonathan — that is, "the gift of Jehovah, " the eldest son of King Saul. (B.C. about 1095-1056.) He was a man of great strength and activity. (2 Samuel 1:23) He was also famous as a warrior, (1 Chronicles 12:2) as is shown by the courage he showing in attacking the garrison of the Philistines, in company with is armor-bearer only, 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Jonathan — Whom Jehovah gave, the name of fifteen or more persons that are mentioned in Scripture. The chief of these are, (1.) A Levite descended from Gershom (Judg. 18:30). His history is recorded in 17:7-13 and 18:30. The Rabbins 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. (2.) The eldest son of king Saul, and the bosom friend of David. He is first mentio”
- 1 Samuel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 20:1: Here, I. David makes a representation to Jonathan of his present troubles. While Saul lay bound by his trance at Naioth David escaped to the court, and got to speak with Jonathan. And it was happy for him that he had such a friend at court, when he had such an enemy on the throne. If there be those that hate and despise us, let us not be disturbed at that, for there are those also that love and respect us. God hath set the one over against the other, and so must we. Jonathan was a friend that loved at all times, loved David as well now in his distress, and bade ”
- 2 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Samuel 1:22: 1:22 the blood of their enemies: Saul and Jonathan were known as military heroes (see 1 Sam 11:1-11; 14:1-23, 47-48), though neither to the degree that David was (1 Sam 18:7; 21:11).”
- 1 Samuel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Samuel 18:3: Then Jonathan and David made a covenant--Such covenants of brotherhood are frequent in the East. They are ratified by certain ceremonies, and in presence of witnesses, that the persons covenanting will be sworn brothers for life.”
- 1 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Samuel 31:2: 31:2 Jonathan . . . Malkishua: See 14:49. This is the first mention of Saul’s son Abinadab (cp. 1 Chr 8:33; 9:39).”
- 1 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Samuel 18:1: 18:1 David and Jonathan had much in common: both were young and capable, were military heroes, had a robust faith in God, and had a claim to the throne of Israel. It is a testimony to Jonathan’s true character that he recognized and supported God’s choice of David to be the next king of Israel (see 18:3-4; 20:12-17). • Jonathan loved David: See 20:17; 2 Sam 1:26. Others in this chapter are also said to love David: all Israel and Judah (1 Sam 18:16), Saul’s daughter Michal (18:20), and Saul’s servants (18:22). Some modern interpreters see a homosexual relationshi”
- 1 Samuel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 20:9: Here, I. Jonathan protests his fidelity to David in his distress. Notwithstanding the strong confidence David had in Jonathan, yet, because he might have some reason to fear that his father's influence, and his own interest, should make him warp, or grow cool towards him, Jonathan thought it requisite solemnly to renew the professions of his friendship to him (Sa1 20:9): "Far be it from thee to think that I suspect thee of any crime for which I should either slay thee myself or deliver thee to my father; no, if thou hast any jealousy of that, Come let us go into”
- 1 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Samuel 14:2: 14:2 camped: Saul’s inactivity contrasts with Jonathan’s initiative (see also 22:6).”