Jonathan that is, "
the gift of Jehovah, " the eldest son of King Saul. (B.C. about 1095-1056.) He was a man of great strength and activity. (
2Samuel 1:23) He was also famous as a warrior, (
1Chronicles 12:2) as is shown by the courage he showing in attacking the garrison of the Philistines, in company with is armor-bearer only, slaying twenty men and putting an army to flight. (
1Samuel 14:6-16) During the pursuit, Jonathan, who had not heard of the rash curse, ch. (
1Samuel 14:24) which Saul invoked on any one who ate before the evening, tasted the honey which lay on the ground. Saul would have sacrificed him; but the people interposed in behalf of the hero of that great day, and Jonathan was saved. ch. (
1Samuel 14:24-45) The chief interest of Jonathan’s career is derived from the friendship with David, which began on the day of David’s return from the victory over the champion of Gath, and continued till his death. Their last meeting was in and forest of Ziph, during Saul’s pursuit of David. (
1Samuel 23:16-18) From this time forth we hear no more till the battle of Gilboa. In that battle he fell. (
1Sam 31:2;
1Sam 31:8) (B.C. 1056.) his ashes were buried first at Jabesh-gilead, ch. (
1Samuel 31:13) but were afterward removed with those of his father to Zelah in Benjamin. (
2Samuel 21:12) The news of his death occasioned the celebrated elegy of David. He left a son, Mephibosheth. [
MEPHIBOSHETH ]
1. A nephew of David. (2Samuel 21:21; 1Chronicles 20:7) He engaged in single combat with and slew a gigantic Philistine of Gath. (2Samuel 21:21) (B.C. 1018.)
2. The son of Abiathar, the high priest, is the last descendant of Eli of whom we hear anything. (2Samuel 15:36; 17:15-21; 1Kgs 1:42; 1Kgs 1:43) (B.C. 1023.)
3. One of David’s heroes. (2Samuel 23:32; 1Chronicles 11:34)
4. The son or descendant of Gershom the son of Moses. (Judges 18:30) [MICAH ] (B.C. about 1425.)
5. One of the Bene-Adin. (Ezra 8:6)
6. A priest, the son of Asahel, in the time of Ezra. (Ezra 10:15) (B.C. 459.)
7. A priest of the family of Melieu. (Nehemiah 12:14)
8. One of the sons of Kareah, and brother of Johanan. (Jeremiah 40:8) (B.C. 587.)
9. Son of Joiada, and his successor in the high priesthood. (Neh 12:11; Neh 12:22; Neh 12:23) (B.C. before 332.)
10. Father of Zechariah, a priest who blew the trumpet at the dedication of the wall. (Nehemiah 12:35)
11. 1 Esdr 8:32. [See No 6 ] (B.C. 446.)
