Jonathan

Etymology

From 'Yah' (Yahweh) and 'natan' (to give). Literally 'Yahweh has given' — a name of gratitude and gift. The full form is Yehonatan; the shorter form Yonatan is more commonly used.

Who they were

Jonathan is the Bible's supreme portrait of friendship. He was King Saul's eldest son and the natural heir to Israel's throne — a brilliant warrior who once climbed a cliff face with his armour-bearer and defeated a Philistine garrison, saying, 'Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.' But when David appeared on the scene and it became clear that God had chosen David as the next king, Jonathan faced an impossible choice: loyalty to his father or loyalty to his friend and to God's will. He chose David. The text says Jonathan 'loved David as he loved himself' and 'made a covenant with him.' He stripped off his royal robe, his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt and gave them to David — symbolically transferring his own claim to the throne. When Saul tried to kill David, Jonathan warned him. When they parted for the last time, 'they kissed each other and wept together — but David wept the most.' Jonathan died alongside his father on Mount Gilboa, fighting the Philistines. David's lament is one of the most moving passages in scripture: 'I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.' Jonathan is the man who gave up a kingdom for a friendship — and in doing so demonstrated what selfless love actually looks like.

Family

Father

Saul (King of Israel)

Children

Mephibosheth (also called Merib-Baal)

Character qualities

• Selfless love
• Willingness to cede his own claim
• Military courage
• Loyalty that cost him everything
• Faithfulness to both friend and father

Key verse

1 Samuel 18:3

Where they appear

Themes

Variants & related forms

Nathan · Jon · Johnny · Yonatan

Related names