Jonathan
The prince who gave up a throne for his friend.
Old Testament · c. 1000 BC · 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel · Also known as Son of Saul, Prince of Israel
About Jonathan
Jonathan was King Saul’s son and a courageous warrior. Though he was heir to the throne, he loved David "as his own soul," made a covenant with him, and protected him from his father’s anger. He died beside Saul in battle on Mount Gilboa.
As Saul’s son, Jonathan was the natural heir to the throne. His covenant with David — and his words "thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee" — show him knowingly stepping aside. It is one of Scripture’s great portraits of selfless friendship.
The story
Two against a garrison
Jonathan and his armour-bearer climbed alone toward a Philistine outpost. "It may be that the LORD will work for us," he said, "for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few."
1 Samuel 14:1-14
Knit together
"The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David." Jonathan made a covenant with him and gave him his robe, his garments, his sword, his bow and his belt — the gear of a prince.
1 Samuel 18:1-4
The arrow signal
When Saul resolved to kill David, Jonathan warned him with a pre-arranged signal: arrows shot beyond a boy in a field. Then they met, wept together, and parted: "Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD."
1 Samuel 20:35-42
My brother Jonathan
Jonathan died with his father on Mount Gilboa. David’s lament remembered him: "I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me." Later, as king, David cared for Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth.
2 Samuel 1:25-27; 9:1-7
Key moments
- Attacks the outpost: "To save by many or by few." (1 Samuel 14:6)
- Covenant with David: Gives him his robe and weapons. (1 Samuel 18:3-4)
- Warns David: The arrow signal in the field. (1 Samuel 20:42)
- Steps aside: "Thou shalt be king over Israel." (1 Samuel 23:17)
Questions about Jonathan
In meetBible these answers are given in Jonathan’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why did you help David instead of keeping the throne?
Scripture records what I told David in the wilderness: "Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee." I believed God had chosen him. Loving David as my own soul meant wanting God’s plan more than my own place.
What was the arrow signal?
David hid in a field while I found out my father’s intentions. We agreed that I would shoot arrows and call to the boy fetching them. If I said the arrows were beyond him, David should flee. They were. Afterwards we met, wept, and parted in peace under an oath to the LORD.
Were you afraid when you climbed to the Philistines?
Scripture doesn’t describe my feelings. It records my words: "It may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few." Notice the "may be" — it was trust, not certainty.
Connected people
- David: Best friend
- Saul: Father
- Samuel: Prophet of his father’s reign
- Mephibosheth: Son
Read it yourself
Start with 1 Samuel 18–20.