Jonathan

How Nave’s arranged it

• 1. A Levite of Bethlehem, who becomes a priest for Micah; accepts idolatry; joins the DanitesJudges 17:7–13Judges 18:1–30
• 2. Son of Saul1 Samuel 14:49
• Victory of, over the Philistine garrison of Geba1 Samuel 13:31 Samuel 13:41 Samuel 13:16
• Victory of, over the Philistines at Michmash1 Samuel 14:1–18
• Under Saul's curse pronounced against anyone who might take food before Saul was avenged of his enemies1 Samuel 14:24–301 Samuel 14:43
• Rescued by the people1 Samuel 14:43–45
• Love of, for David1 Samuel 18:1–41 Samuel 19:1–71 Samuel 201 Samuel 23:16–18
• Killed in the battle with the Philistines1 Samuel 31:21 Samuel 31:61 Chronicles 10:22 Samuel 21:12–14
• Buried by inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead1 Samuel 31:11–13
• Mourned by David2 Samuel 1:122 Samuel 1:17–27
• Son of, cared for by David2 Samuel 4:42 Samuel 91 Chronicles 8:34
• 3. Son of Abiathar2 Samuel 15:27

The passages, in Bible order (44)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Judges 17:7–13

   And there was a young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah who had been residing within the clan of Judah.

   ›Commentary on Judges 17:7–132 voices

   The Hebrew words for “he sojourned there” are, שׁם גר gêr shām, which words are used Jdg 18:30 in the genealogy of this young Levite, whose name was “Jonathan, the son of Gershom” (גרשׁם gêreshôm). Hence, some read here, “the son of Gershom.”

   “Bethlehem-judah - So called here, as Matt. ii, 1, 5, to difference it from Bethlehem in Zebulun. There he was born and bred. Of Judah - That is, of or belonging to the tribe of Judah; not by birth, for he was a Levite; but by his habitation and ministration.

   Everything gathered on Judges 17:7–13→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Judges 18:1–30

   In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy. For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

   ›Commentary on Judges 18:1–301 voice

   “There was no king in Israel - See Jdg 17:6 (note). The circumstances related here show that this must have happened about the time of the preceding transactions. The tribe of the Danites - That is, a part of this tribe; some families of it. All their inheritance - That is, they had not got an extent of country sufficient for them.

   Everything gathered on Judges 18:1–30→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. 1 Samuel 13:3

   Then Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!”

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:32 voices

   “And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba,.... Not the same with Gibeah of Benjamin, as Jarchi; for it can hardly be thought that Jonathan should place himself with his thousand men where the Philistines had a garrison; or that if this was the same with that in the preceding verse, that it should be called by another name in this; but Gibeah and Geba were two places, as Kimchi observes, both indeed in the tribe of Benjamin, and it is very probable not far from one another; see Jos 18:

   “Jonathan smote - He appears to have taken this garrison by surprise, for his men had no arms for a regular battle, or taking the place by storm. This is the first place in which this brave and excellent man appears; a man who bears one of the most amiable characters in the Bible.

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 13:3→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. 1 Samuel 13:4

   And all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked an outpost of the Philistines, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines!” Then the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:41 voice

   “If it was so, we will lay the blame, not on Jonathan who did it, but on Saul, his prince and father, who ordered him to do it, and perhaps kept him in ignorance of the truth of the matter. Nothing makes the name of Israel odious to those that are without so much as the fraud and dishonesty of those that are called by that worthy name.

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 13:4→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. 1 Samuel 13:16

   Now Saul and Jonathan his son and the troops with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Michmash.

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:161 voice

   “And Saul, and Jonathan his son,.... Who were now joined to their men, on Saul's coming to Gibeah: and the people that were present with them; the six hundred men before numbered: abode in Gibeah of Benjamin; being perhaps a strong fortified place, not choosing to go forth to meet the army of the Philistines, so vastly superior to them: but the Philistines encamped at Michmash; the old quarters of Saul before he went to Gilgal, 1Sa 13:2.

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 13:16→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. 1 Samuel 14:1–18

   One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But Jonathan did not tell his father.

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:1–181 voice

   “Now ... - Rather “and,” since this verse is in immediate dependence upon the preceding. When Jonathan saw the garrison come out again and again, in defiance “of the armies of the living God,” at length “upon a day” he determined to attack them.

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 14:1–18→

   Verse page →Original language →

7. 1 Samuel 14:24–30

   Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food.

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:24–302 voices

   “Distressed - With hunger, and weakness, and faintness, and all by reason of the following oath. Avenged - As Saul's intention was good, so the matter of the obligation was not simply unlawful, if it had not been so rigorous in excluding all food, and in obliging the people to it under pain of an accursed death, which was a punishment far exceeding the fault.

   “Saul had adjured the people - He was afraid, if they waited to refresh themselves, the Philistines would escape out of their hands, and therefore he made the taking any food till sunset a capital crime. This was the very means of defeating his own intention; for as the people were exhausted for want of food, they could not continue the pursuit of their enemies: had it not been for this foolish adjuration, there had been a greater slaughter of the Philistines, 1Sa 14:30.

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 14:24–30→

   Verse page →Original language →

8. 1 Samuel 14:43

   “Tell me what you have done,” Saul commanded him. So Jonathan told him, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. And now I must die?”

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:431 voice

   Jonathan tasted of a honeycomb on a rod, and his eyes were enlightened, and his life was in danger because he acted through ignorance. For Scripture testifies to the fact that he did not know that his father had given strict orders that no one was to taste any food until the victory of the Lord was accomplished. However, the Lord was so angered that the lot disclosed him hiding, and he confessed openly, saying, "I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod, which was in my hand, and behold I must die."

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 14:43→

   Verse page →Original language →

9. 1 Samuel 14:49

   Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter).

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:492 voices

   “Ishui - Called also Abinadab. chap. xxxi, 2. Ishbosheth, Saul's other son is here omitted, because he intended to mention only those of his sons who went with him into the battles here mentioned, and who were afterwards slain with him.

   “This enumeration of Saul’s children and chief officers is according to the analogy of the subsequent annals of David and Solomen’s reign. But the one here called Ishui, is elsewhere (marginal references) called Abi-nadab; and a fourth son, Esh-baal or Ish-bosheth, is here omitted.

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 14:49→

   Verse page →Original language →

10. 1 Samuel 18:1–4

    After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself.

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 18:1–42 voices

    “Was knit with the soul of David - The same forcible phrase occurs of Jacob’s love for Benjamin (marginal reference). Jonathan’s truly heroic character is shown in this generous love of David, and admiration of his great deed.

    “None had so much reason to dislike David as Jonathan had, because he was to put him by the crown, yet none regards him more. Those that are governed in their love by principles of wisdom and grace will not suffer their affections to be alienated by any secular regards or considerations: the greater thoughts will swallow up and overrule the less.

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 18:1–4→

    Verse page →Original language →

11. 1 Samuel 19:1–7

    Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 19:1–71 voice

    “That they should kill David - Nothing less than the especial interposition of God could have saved David’s life, when every officer about the king’s person, and every soldier, had got positive orders to despatch him.

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 19:1–7→

    Verse page →Original language →

12. 1 Samuel 20:1

    Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my iniquity? How have I sinned against your father, that he wants to take my life?”

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:11 voice

    “While Saul was under the constraining influence of the spirit of prophecy, David escaped from Naioth, and, probably by Samuel’s advice, returned to Saul’s court to commune with Jonathan. Nothing could be a better evidence of his innocence than thus putting himself in Jonathan’s power. Perhaps something passed between Samuel and Saul on the subject, since it appears from 1Sa 20:5, 1Sa 20:25, 1Sa 20:27, that Saul expected David at the feast of the new moon.

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 20:1→

    Verse page →Original language →

13. 1 Samuel 23:16–18

    And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God,

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 23:16–182 voices

    “And Jonathan - strengthened his hand in God - It is probable that there was always a secret intercourse between David and Jonathan, and that by this most trusty friend he was apprised of the various designs of Saul to take away his life.

    “And strengthened - He comforted and supported him against all his fears, by minding him of God's infallible promises made to him, and his singular providence which hitherto had and still would be with him.

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 23:16–18→

    Verse page →Original language →

14. 1 Samuel 31:2

    The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 31:21 voice

    “Followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons - They, seeing the discomfiture of their troops, were determined to sell their lives as dear as possible, and therefore maintained the battle till the three brothers were slain.

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 31:2→

    Verse page →Original language →

15. 1 Samuel 31:6

    So Saul, his three sons, his armor-bearer, and all his men died together that same day.

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 31:62 voices

    “So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer,.... Only with this difference, his three sons died honourably in the field of battle, but he and his armourbearer destroyed themselves.

    “And all his men - Probably meaning those of his troops which were his life or body guards: as to the bulk of the army, it fled at the commencement of the battle, 1Sa 31:1.

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 31:6→

    Verse page →Original language →

16. 1 Samuel 31:11–13

    When the people of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 31:11–132 voices

    “And the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead,.... Who lived on the other side Jordan, about eight miles from Bethshan, according to Fuller (p): heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; not only that they had got the victory over him, and routed his army, but had abused his body, and hung it up by way of reproach and ignominy; which they could not bear to hear of, remembering with gratitude the kindness he had shown to them, in delivering them out of the hands of Nahash the Ammonite, 1Sa 11:1. (p) Pisgah-Sight of Palestine, b.

    “When the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead heard ... - See 1Sa 11:1-15. This is a touching and rare example of national gratitude.

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 31:11–13→

    Verse page →Original language →