Skip to content
God's MapOpen the map

Jonathan

David’s friend

Who was Jonathan?

From
From the tribe of Benjamin, son of King Saul 1 Samuel 9:1-2; 1 Samuel 14:1
Occupation
Soldier: he commanded part of his father’s army 1 Samuel 13:2
Jonathan, an artistic recreation

What the Bible says

1 Samuel 14:1, 6

1Now it came to pass one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man that bore his armour: Come, and let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines, which is on the other side of yonder place. But he told not this to his father. 6And Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armour: Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised, it may be the Lord will do for us, because it is easy for the Lord to save either by many, or by few.

1 Samuel 18:1, 3; 1 Samuel 19:4

1And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 3And David and Jonathan made a covenant, for be loved him as his own soul.

1 Samuel 31:2; 2 Samuel 1:11-12

And the Philistines fell upon Saul, and upon his sons, and they slew Jonathan, and Abinadab and Melchisua the sons of Saul.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Jonathan

  1. Before Jesus. With only his armor-bearer, he went up against a Philistine outpost. He said it is the same to God to give victory with many or with few. 1 Samuel 14:1, 6
  2. Before Jesus. Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed about twenty Philistines. Fear spread through the whole Philistine camp, and even the earth shook. 1 Samuel 14:13-15
  3. Before Jesus. Without knowing it, Jonathan broke an oath Saul had made, and Saul wanted to punish him with death. The army defended him. 1 Samuel 14:27, 44-45
  4. With Jesus. After David defeated Goliath, Jonathan loved him as himself and made a covenant with him. 1 Samuel 18:1, 3
  5. With Jesus. He gave David his cloak, his soldier’s clothes, his sword, his bow and his belt. 1 Samuel 18:4
  6. With Jesus. He defended David before Saul, and Saul swore that he would not kill David. 1 Samuel 19:4-6
  7. With Jesus. When Saul again wanted to kill David, Jonathan warned David with the sign of the arrows. They said goodbye in tears. 1 Samuel 20:33, 35-41
  8. With Jesus. He went to see David in the desert and encouraged him to trust in God. He told David that David would be king, and he himself would be second. 1 Samuel 23:16-17
  9. With Jesus. The two renewed their covenant before the Lord. David stayed in the forest, and Jonathan went back home. 1 Samuel 23:18
  10. Afterward. He died with his father and two of his brothers on Mount Gilboa. 1 Samuel 31:1-2
  11. Afterward. The men of Jabesh-gilead walked all night. They took away the bodies of Saul and his sons, buried their bones under a tree and fasted seven days. 1 Samuel 31:11-13
  12. Afterward. When he heard the news, David tore his garments. David and his men mourned and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan. 2 Samuel 1:11-12
  13. Afterward. Years later, King David brought the bones of Saul and Jonathan to the land of Benjamin. He buried them in the tomb of Kish, Saul’s father. 2 Samuel 21:12-14

Words of Jonathan

“Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised, it may be the Lord will do for us, because it is easy for the Lord to save either by many, or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6

To his armor-bearer, before going up to the Philistine outpost.

“Sin not, O king, against thy servant, David, because he hath not sinned against thee, and his works are very good towards thee.” 1 Samuel 19:4

To his father, Saul, who wanted to kill David.

“Why shall he die: what hath he done?” 1 Samuel 20:32

When Saul demanded that he bring David to him to be killed.

“Go in peace: and let all stand that we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying: The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever.” 1 Samuel 20:42

When he said goodbye to David in the field.

“Fear not: for the hand of my father Saul shall not find thee, and thou shalt reign over Israel, and I shall be next to thee, yea, and my father knoweth this.” 1 Samuel 23:17

When he went to see David, who was fleeing from Saul through the desert.

What they were like

The greatest thing they did

Not to be confused with

In the Church today

In art, recognized by: The bow and arrows From 1 Sam 18, 4 and 1 Sam 20, 36; this is how Christian art shows him

What people ask

Why did Jonathan help David, if David was going to be king in his place?

The Bible says he loved David as himself. He himself told David that David would be king, and that he would be second. 1 Samuel 18:1; 1 Samuel 23:17

What was the sign of the arrows?

Depending on where Jonathan’s arrow landed, David would know whether he had to flee. Only the two of them understood what it meant. 1 Samuel 20:20-22, 39

How did Jonathan die?

The Philistines killed him in the battle on Mount Gilboa, together with two of his brothers. 1 Samuel 31:2

Did Jonathan have children?

Yes. His son Meribbaal was crippled in his feet, and David cared for him out of love for Jonathan. 2 Samuel 9:3, 6-7

What did Jonathan ask of David?

To always treat Jonathan’s family with kindness, even when the Lord removed all of David’s enemies. 1 Samuel 20:14-15

Why did Saul get angry with Jonathan?

Because Jonathan defended David. Saul told Jonathan that as long as David lived, Jonathan would not be secure in the kingdom. 1 Samuel 20:30-31

Little known The sign was an arrow: if it landed beyond the boy who picked it up, David had to leave. 1 Samuel 20:21-22, 37 Saul, in a rage, took…

The rest of this page (daily life, failings, little-known facts, for you…) is part of the subscription.

See the map

Who Jonathan is connected to

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

See Jonathan on the map