Role of Jonathan's Brothers in Scripture and History
The biblical figure Jonathan, son of King Saul, is primarily known for his deep friendship with David and his prowess as a warrior [3, 9]. He was the eldest son of Saul and a man of considerable strength and activity [3]. Jonathan demonstrated his military skill by attacking a Philistine garrison with only his armor-bearer, slaying twenty men and putting an army to flight [3, 5]. He and David shared many characteristics, including youth, capability, military heroism, and a strong faith in God [9].
Jonathan's loyalty to David is a significant aspect of his biblical narrative. Despite his own claim to the throne, Jonathan recognized and supported God's choice of David as the next king of Israel [9]. He and David made a covenant of brotherhood, a practice common in the East, signifying a lifelong bond [10]. This covenant underscored their deep affection for one another [9].
The death of Jonathan, alongside his father Saul and his two other brothers, occurred on the same day [11]. This event is seen by some as providential, as it removed potential obstacles to David's ascension to the throne, particularly given that a strong party might have supported Jonathan had he survived [11].
While Jonathan, son of Saul, is the most prominent figure bearing this name in Scripture [1, 3], other individuals named Jonathan are also mentioned. These include a Levite descended from Gershom who became a priest of an idol image at Dan [1], a priest living during the United Monarchy [4], and a man from the tribe of Judah during the Divided Monarchy [6]. Josephus also mentions a Jonathan who took over the government after his brother Judas [2, 8]. Additionally, David had an uncle named Jonathan, described as an expert in discussion and a man of good sense, who served as a scribe [7].
Sources
- 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”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 1, section 1: . How Jonathan Took The Government After His Brother Judas; And How He, Together With His Brother Simon, Waged War Against Bacchides.”
- 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”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H3083I — Priest living at the time of United Monarchy (refs: #A priest living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.15.27; <br> son of <strong=")”
- 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]=H3129G — Man living at the time of Divided Monarchy (refs: #A man from the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.32; )”
- I Chronicles “I Chronicles 27:32 (BBE) — Now Jonathan, David's father's brother, expert in discussion, and a man of good sense, was a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni, had the care of the king's sons;”
- I Maccabees “I Maccabees 9:31 (DRC) — So Jonathan took upon him the government at that time, and rose up in the place of Judas, his brother”
- 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 (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 (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Samuel 31:6: So Saul died--(see on Ch1 10:13; Hos 13:11). and his three sons--The influence of a directing Providence is evidently to be traced in permitting the death of Saul's three eldest and most energetic sons, particularly that of Jonathan, for whom, had he survived his father, a strong party would undoubtedly have risen and thus obstructed the path of David to the throne. and all his men, that same day together--his servants or bodyguard (Ch1 10:6).”