What can we learn from Jonathan?

Courageous faith dares to act when all seems lost: “there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few” (1 Sam 14:6). True friendship gives without counting the cost: Jonathan offers his robe, his sword, and his bow, and agrees to take second place (1 Sam 18:4; 23:17). You can stay loyal to your family while still standing up for the innocent: Jonathan speaks up for David before Saul (1 Sam 19:4-5). A promise made before the LORD binds beyond death: David honors Jonathan by caring for his son (2 Sam 9:7; 21:7).

United monarchy · around 1050–1010 BC

Jonathan in the Bible

David’s faithful friend. Name meaning: “The LORD has given” (probable meaning)

The son of King Saul, Jonathan is a warrior of faith: with only his armorbearer, he attacks a Philistine garrison, saying that “there is no restraint to the LORD to save” (1 Sam 14:6). He loves David “as his own soul” (1 Sam 18:1), makes a covenant with him, and agrees to stay “next unto” the one who will reign (1 Sam 23:17). Killed at Gilboa along with his father, he is mourned by David, who will show kindness to his crippled son (2 Sam 1:26; 9:7).

Main books: 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles

Key moments

He attacks the Philistine garrison with his armorbearer 1 Samuel 14:6
The people rescue him from death 1 Samuel 14:45
His soul is knit to David’s 1 Samuel 18:1
He gives his robe, sword, and bow to David 1 Samuel 18:4
He pleads David’s cause before Saul 1 Samuel 19:4
The arrows: he warns David to flee 1 Samuel 20:37
He accepts second place: “thou shalt be king over Israel” 1 Samuel 23:17
He falls at Gilboa, mourned by David 2 Samuel 1:26

Strengths

Courage
Faith in God
Faithful friendship
Humility
Loyalty

Weaknesses

The Bible faults him for nothing. All we can note is that he stays with Saul (he goes back home after his last meeting with David, 1 Sam 23:18, and dies with his father at Gilboa, 31:2) even though he knows David will reign (23:17).

Lessons for today

Courageous faith dares to act when all seems lost: “there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few” (1 Sam 14:6).
True friendship gives without counting the cost: Jonathan offers his robe, his sword, and his bow, and agrees to take second place (1 Sam 18:4; 23:17).
You can stay loyal to your family while still standing up for the innocent: Jonathan speaks up for David before Saul (1 Sam 19:4-5).
A promise made before the LORD binds beyond death: David honors Jonathan by caring for his son (2 Sam 9:7; 21:7).

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 14:6

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 18:1

And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

1 Samuel 23:17

People around Jonathan

Saul — Father, the first king of Israel
David — Faithful friend and covenant brother
Michal — Sister, Saul’s youngest daughter
Mephibosheth — Crippled son, welcomed at David’s table
His armorbearer — Companion in the exploit at Michmash

Stories with Jonathan

Quiz: how well do you know Jonathan?

Whose son was Jonathan?

How does Scripture say Jonathan loved David?

Where was Jonathan killed along with Saul?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.