Jonathan Summary
STEPBible TIPNR
Jonathan, the eldest son of King Saul, was a valiant warrior and a close friend of David, ultimately dying in battle alongside his father.
son of King Saul (1SA 13:16)
Lineage: Aphiah › Bechorath › Zeror › Abiel › Kish › Saul › Jonathan
Names
-
en
Jonathan
given of God
-
en
Jonathan
· Also called · H3129 none · 1SA 13:2 gift of y-h-v-h
- en Jehonathan · Also called
-
he
יוֹנָתָן
yonatan · H3129 · 1SA 13:2 gift of y-h-v-h
- he יְהוֹנָתָן · H3083H
- el Ιωναθαν Iōnathan · none · 1SA 13:2
- bg Йонатан
Birth
Death
Reference
Mentioned in (83)
1 Sam 13:2
1 Sam 13:3
1 Sam 13:16
1 Sam 13:22
1 Sam 14:1
1 Sam 14:3
1 Sam 14:4
1 Sam 14:6
1 Sam 14:8
1 Sam 14:12
1 Sam 14:13
1 Sam 14:14
1 Sam 14:17
1 Sam 14:21
1 Sam 14:27
1 Sam 14:29
1 Sam 14:39
1 Sam 14:40
1 Sam 14:41
1 Sam 14:42
1 Sam 14:43
1 Sam 14:44
1 Sam 14:45
1 Sam 14:49
1 Sam 18:1
1 Sam 18:3
1 Sam 18:4
1 Sam 19:1
1 Sam 19:2
1 Sam 19:4
1 Sam 19:6
1 Sam 19:7
1 Sam 20:1
1 Sam 20:3
1 Sam 20:4
1 Sam 20:5
1 Sam 20:9
1 Sam 20:10
1 Sam 20:11
1 Sam 20:12
1 Sam 20:13
1 Sam 20:16
1 Sam 20:17
1 Sam 20:18
1 Sam 20:25
1 Sam 20:27
1 Sam 20:28
1 Sam 20:30
1 Sam 20:32
1 Sam 20:33
1 Sam 20:34
1 Sam 20:35
1 Sam 20:37
1 Sam 20:38
1 Sam 20:39
1 Sam 20:40
1 Sam 20:42
1 Sam 23:16
1 Sam 23:18
1 Sam 31:2
2 Sam 1:4
2 Sam 1:5
2 Sam 1:12
2 Sam 1:17
2 Sam 1:22
2 Sam 1:23
2 Sam 1:25
2 Sam 1:26
2 Sam 4:4
2 Sam 9:1
2 Sam 9:3
2 Sam 9:6
2 Sam 9:7
2 Sam 21:7
2 Sam 21:12
2 Sam 21:13
2 Sam 21:14
1 Chr 8:33
1 Chr 8:34
1 Chr 9:39
1 Chr 9:40
1 Chr 10:2
Jer 38:26
SDA Books
Awaiting permission to publishLinked through an explicitly cited Bible passage
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Age · ≈ 40
Chronological estimate · Estimate from the BibleData chronology. The age is not stated directly; see the source assumptions.
2951 − 2911 (AH) = 40
Source calculation and assumptions
The year of Jonathan_2's birth is the year his younger brother, Ishvi_2, was born (2912) - 1 year (estimated) = 2911
The year of Jonathan_2's death is the year Saul_1 died = 2951
Dates and sources (8)
Absolute years are conditional chronological estimates. A biblical passage may state an age or event, but does not by itself establish a BCE year. Different calendar systems are preserved separately.
-
Birth BibleData Matches the current date; this is not historical verificationAH with conditional Ussher anchor:
2911→ ≈ 1094 BCSource record and calculation
Birth_Jonathan_2·event_year_ahbibledata/BibleData-Event.csv· record 201The year of Jonathan_2's birth is the year his younger brother, Ishvi_2, was born (2912) - 1 year (estimated) = 2911*HYPOTHESIS Jonathan was born at least 1 year before IshviSHA-256:64bf68d13a0a884231cd0614a9fd19e36a5f6f4dbd6b7ee6790fc1172cb8c9e3 -
Birth BibleData Matches the current date; this is not historical verificationAH with conditional Ussher anchor:
2911→ ≈ 1094 BCSource record and calculation
Life_of_Jonathan_2·start_year_ahbibledata/BibleData-Epoch.csv· record 70The year of Jonathan_2's birth is the year his younger brother, Ishvi_2, was born (2912) - 1 year (estimated) = 2911SHA-256:a442014b92a562402c9175ce2d34fb723b0bf2cb7646bacadccb0420fee426e2 -
Birth BibleData Alternative estimateBibleData BCE year:
1051→ ≈ 1051 BCSource record and calculation
Birth_Jonathan_2·bce_yearbibledata/BibleData-Event.csv· record 201The year of Jonathan_2's birth is the year his younger brother, Ishvi_2, was born (2912) - 1 year (estimated) = 2911*HYPOTHESIS Jonathan was born at least 1 year before IshviSHA-256:64bf68d13a0a884231cd0614a9fd19e36a5f6f4dbd6b7ee6790fc1172cb8c9e3 -
Death BibleData Matches the current date; this is not historical verificationUssher BCE year:
1055→ ≈ 1055 BC1 Samuel 31:7 already says Saul and his sons are dead;31:2 names Jonathan. This is reference specificity, not a false death.
1SA 31:21SA 31:7The 2951−2911 AHformula estimates 40. SelectedbirthAH 2911→−1093 anddeathUssher 1055 BCE→−1054 give 39; the same deathAH 2951→−1053 isoneye later. Retain approximate 40 with this demonstratedanchoroffset, not as a directly stated biblicalage.
1SA 31:2-4Source record and calculation
Death_Jonathan_2·ussher_bce_yearbibledata/BibleData-Event.csv· record 224The year of Jonathan_2's death is the year Saul_1 died = 2951[Ussher date p58]SHA-256:7b867c7cf3f3ed81fbc293a24c484867eca9690c650846dc1915e69c88e99f5d -
Death BibleData Alternative estimateBibleData BCE year:
1011→ ≈ 1011 BC1 Samuel 31:7 already says Saul and his sons are dead;31:2 names Jonathan. This is reference specificity, not a false death.
1SA 31:21SA 31:7The 2951−2911 AHformula estimates 40. SelectedbirthAH 2911→−1093 anddeathUssher 1055 BCE→−1054 give 39; the same deathAH 2951→−1053 isoneye later. Retain approximate 40 with this demonstratedanchoroffset, not as a directly stated biblicalage.
1SA 31:2-4Source record and calculation
Death_Jonathan_2·bce_yearbibledata/BibleData-Event.csv· record 224The year of Jonathan_2's death is the year Saul_1 died = 2951[Ussher date p58]SHA-256:7b867c7cf3f3ed81fbc293a24c484867eca9690c650846dc1915e69c88e99f5d -
Death BibleData Alternative estimateAH with conditional Ussher anchor:
2951→ ≈ 1054 BC1 Samuel 31:7 already says Saul and his sons are dead;31:2 names Jonathan. This is reference specificity, not a false death.
1SA 31:21SA 31:7The 2951−2911 AHformula estimates 40. SelectedbirthAH 2911→−1093 anddeathUssher 1055 BCE→−1054 give 39; the same deathAH 2951→−1053 isoneye later. Retain approximate 40 with this demonstratedanchoroffset, not as a directly stated biblicalage.
1SA 31:2-4Source record and calculation
Death_Jonathan_2·event_year_ahbibledata/BibleData-Event.csv· record 224The year of Jonathan_2's death is the year Saul_1 died = 2951[Ussher date p58]SHA-256:7b867c7cf3f3ed81fbc293a24c484867eca9690c650846dc1915e69c88e99f5d -
Death BibleData Unverified estimate without an established conversionUssher AM:
2949· No established conversion to a BCE/CE year.1 Samuel 31:7 already says Saul and his sons are dead;31:2 names Jonathan. This is reference specificity, not a false death.
1SA 31:21SA 31:7Source record and calculation
Death_Jonathan_2·ussher_am_yearbibledata/BibleData-Event.csv· record 224The year of Jonathan_2's death is the year Saul_1 died = 2951[Ussher date p58]SHA-256:7b867c7cf3f3ed81fbc293a24c484867eca9690c650846dc1915e69c88e99f5d -
Death BibleData Alternative estimateAH with conditional Ussher anchor:
2951→ ≈ 1054 BC1 Samuel 31:7 already says Saul and his sons are dead;31:2 names Jonathan. This is reference specificity, not a false death.
1SA 31:21SA 31:7Source record and calculation
Life_of_Jonathan_2·end_year_ahbibledata/BibleData-Epoch.csv· record 70The year of Jonathan_2's death is the year Saul_1 died = 2951SHA-256:a442014b92a562402c9175ce2d34fb723b0bf2cb7646bacadccb0420fee426e2
Family of origin
- Father: Saul (≈ 60)
- Mother: Ahinoam
- Brother: Abinadab
- Brother: Malchi-shua
- Sister: Merab
- Sister: Michal
- Brother: Ish-bosheth
- Half-brother: Armoni
- Half-brother: Mephibosheth
One-parent family
- Son: Mephibosheth
Jonathan Article
STEPBible TIPNR
Jonathan was the eldest son of King Saul and a prominent figure in the early monarchy of Israel. He first appears in the biblical narrative as a brave warrior, leading a thousand men in a successful attack against a Philistine garrison (1Sa 13:2-3). Jonathan's faith and courage were further demonstrated when he and his armor-bearer challenged another Philistine outpost, believing that God could save by many or by few (1Sa 14:6-14).
Jonathan is perhaps best known for his deep friendship with David, which began after David's victory over Goliath (1Sa 18:1). The two made a covenant, and Jonathan gave David his robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt as a sign of their bond (1Sa 18:3-4). When Saul's jealousy towards David grew, Jonathan interceded on David's behalf, temporarily reconciling them (1Sa 19:1-7).
As Saul's hostility towards David intensified, Jonathan helped David escape and reaffirmed their covenant (1Sa.20). They parted ways, with Jonathan remaining loyal to his father while still maintaining his friendship with David (1Sa 23:16-18).
Jonathan died in battle alongside his father and brothers at Mount Gilboa, fighting against the Philistines (1Sa 31:2; 1Ch 10:2). David deeply mourned the loss of his friend, composing a lament in honor of Saul and Jonathan (2Sa.1).
Jonathan's legacy continued through his son Mephibosheth, whom David showed kindness for Jonathan's sake (2Sa 4:4; 9.1-7). David also spared Mephibosheth's life when the Gibeonites sought retribution for Saul's actions (2Sa 21:7-9).
The story of Jonathan and David's friendship has become a timeless example of loyalty, selflessness, and the power of covenant relationships. Despite the challenges and conflicts they faced, their bond remained strong, transcending political and familial ties.
Jonathan 2 Dictionary
Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
The eldest son of king Saul, and the bosom friend of David. He is first mentioned when he was about thirty years of age, some time after his father’s accession to the throne (1 Sam. 13:2). Like his father, he was a man of great strength and activity (2 Sam. 1:23), and excelled in archery and slinging (1 Chr. 12:2;2 Sam. 1:22). The affection that evidently subsisted between him and his father was interrupted by the growth of Saul’s insanity. At length, “in fierce anger,” he left his father’s presence and cast in his lot with the cause of David (1 Sam. 20:34). After an eventful career, interwoven to a great extent with that of David, he fell, along with his father and his two brothers, on the fatal field of Gilboa (1 Sam. 31:2, 8). He was first buried at Jabesh-gilead, but his remains were afterwards removed with those of his father to Zelah, in Benjamin (2 Sam. 21:12-14). His death was the occasion of David’s famous elegy of “the Song of the Bow” (2 Sam. 1:17-27). He left one son five years old, Merib-baal, or Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 4:4; comp. 1 Chr. 8:34).
Sources: BibleData (CC BY 4.0, Jonathan_2) · STEPBible TIPNR (CC BY 4.0, Jonathan@1Sa.13.2-1Ch) · Theographic Bible Metadata (CC BY-SA 4.0, jonathan_1692)