Jonathan

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email

In the Hebrew scriptures, the eldest son of King Saul and friend of David. A warrior in the Israelite army, he is first mentioned as victor over the Philistines at Geba. After David joined Saul's household, he and Jonathan became close friends. Saul became jealous of David's popularity and sought to kill him, but Jonathan prevented him. When the two met for the last time, they planned that David would be the next king of Israel and Jonathan his prime minister, but Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle at Mount Gilboa.

For more information on Jonathan, visit Britannica.com.

Jonathan (jŏn'əthən) [short for Jehonathan, Heb.,=Yahweh has given].

1 In the Bible, Saul's son and David's friend, killed at the battle of Mt. Gilboa. David showed kindness to his son Mephibosheth.

2 David's nephew. He is perhaps the same man who is called David's uncle and counsellor in the translations of First Chronicles.

3 One of the Maccabees. He was appointed high priest by Alexander Balas, pretender to the Syrian throne.

Top
(jŏn'ə-thən) pronunciation

In the Bible, the eldest son of King Saul of Israel and friend of David.


Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

Copyrights:

Mentioned in

Melech (in the Old Testament)
Donathan (family name)