He was the eldest and noble son of King Saul and heir to the throne of Israel.
He was the brave friend of David.
DTS professor and prolific writer M.F. Unger wrote: “one of the most beautiful characters of the Bible” (Unger’s OT commentary).
We don’t read concerning him as with David as being “a man after God’s own heart,” but there are significant spiritual qualities revealed about him and a clear contrast between him and his father Saul.
Bravery was clearly characteristic of Jonathan: 1 Samuel 13.1-6; 14.1-6
He commanded1000 men against the Philistines. We read that he and his armor bearer, by themselves, engaged a military post of the Philistines.
Jon’s bravery was centered in a belief in God as one who can save by “many or by few."
Surely, Jon had a similar understanding and faith as that of David when it came to the relationship of God to Israel and the promises of God of deliverance from their enemies through faith and obedience.
Deuteronomy 7.23: “the Lord your God will deliver them over to you…”
Daniel 11.32: During the time of Antiochus Epiphanes (Seleucid Ruler who persecuted the Jews and foreshadow of Antichrist) and the Maccabean revolt: “The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.”
1 Samuel 14.7-17: The Philistine soldiers fell down before Jon as he climbed
up to them on his hands and knees; Jon’s armor bearer killed them with the
sword. God brought about victory for
Israel following this act of courage.
Friendship with David was surely due to a common faith in and submission to God.
1 Samuel 18.1-4: Jon loved David as himself, but Saul would grow to despise David, jealous of his popularity and fear for his throne.
Close friendships are very valuable.
Proverbs 18.24: “A person who has friends may be harmed by them, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” NET Bible
David had 7 bothers, but his close friend was Jonathan.
The believer's closest
friends should be those with whom they share a common faith.
If you're married, it should be your spouse—no competition should exist with your spouse. Friendship is significant for encouragement or for admonition if necessary.
1 Samuel 19.1-7: Jon intercedes for David, temporarily diverting Saul’s murderous intentions, but it wouldn’t stay this way.
1 Samuel 20.12-15: The plan…David doesn’t show up for dinner with the king, so Jon could discover Saul’s intentions toward David.
1 Samuel 20.27-34: Jon angrily reacts to Saul’s murderous jealousy against David. Jon then goes to inform David of the danger, that he should flee.
Jonathan shows humble acceptance in the will of God.
David is constantly on the run, hiding from King Saul’s attempt to find and kill him.
1
Samuel 23.14-18: Jon finds David in
hiding, and he “strengthens David’s hand in God.”
That was a figure of speech. Here is a quote from another source: “Jonathan comforted and supported him against all fears, by considerations of the divine goodness and power, and by reminding him of God’s faithful promises to him, and his providence which had been and would still be with him.”
Jon
encourages David, acknowledging that he shall be king of Israel.
It wasn’t an attitude of not wanting the kingdom for himself, but an accepting acknowledgment that it was the will of God.
Jon
knew that God chose David to be king. He
accepted this. Unlike Saul, he was
accepting of the will of God. He
accepted that what was rightfully his, was given to another as a consequence of
his father’s disobedience to God.
Though Jon thought he might reign by David’s side, he chose to unite with his father in battle against the Philistines, a battle determined to take the lives of Saul and 3 sons, including Jon. Jon may not have known the words of the witch. Jon chose to be loyal to the authority of his father in battle, and surely fought by his side with the decision that ‘God’s will be done.’
David laments Jon’s death: 2 Samuel 1.17; 25-27.
Jonathan
is an example of bravery, friendship, and humility centered in a belief in and
submission to God.
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