Jonathan (II)

II. JONATHAN, the son of Saul, a Prince of an excellent temper, and in all varieties of fortune a most faithful friend to David. Jonathan gave proof of his courage and conduct upon all occasions that offered, during the wars between Saul and the Philistines. One day¹, when the Philistines were incamped at Michmash with a very powerful army, and Saul’s army, which consisted of not above six 1 Sam. xiii. 15, 16, &c. 1 Sam xiv. 1, 2, &c.hundred men, lay at Gibeah of Benjamin, Jonathan said to his armour-bearer, Let us go to the camp of the Philistines. But he took no notice to his father of his design; nor were the people informed where he was gone. There was a narrow pass between two rocks, which led to the camp of the Philistines. Now Jonathan, while he was upon the way towards the Philistines, said to his armour-bearer, If these people, when they perceive us, bid us tarry, let us stay and go no farther; but if they desire us to come up to them, let us go; for this will be a sign to us, that the Lord hath delivered them into our hands.

As soon therefore as the Philistines, who were upon the guard, perceived them, they said, Behold the Hebrews come like rats out of the holes where they had hid themselves; and they who were advanced farthest from the Philistine Camp cried out to them, Come up to us, and we will shew you something. Whereupon Jonathan said to his armour-bearer, Let us go up, follow me, for the Lord hath delivered them into the hands of Israel. They went up and began to kill all that fell into their hands. The whole Camp of the Philistines was in disorder, and Saul’s Sentinels perceiving the motion which was thereabouts, gave notice of it to this Prince. Upon search there was neither Jonathan nor his armour -bearer to be found in all the Camp. And the noise and tumult increasing among the Philistines, the Hebrews made haste, and advancing nearer to them discovered that they had killed one another. Saul therefore pursued the runaways, and pronounced these words before his whole army, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day.

Jonathan, who was not then present, and knew nothing of this, being in a wood where there was much honey, dip’d the end of his staff in it, and tasted a little of it. Some person told him, that the King his father had forbidden any one with an execration to eat any thing whatsoever. Jonathan upon hearing of it, said, that his father had created a general disturbance by this prohibition. How had the people been strengthned if they had eaten what they met with in the pursuit of their enemies? The victory which Israel obtained this day over the Philistines was entire, and Saul was of opinion to attack them again in the night, that so he might prevent their escaping from him. To this end he gave directions for consulting the Lord, but the Lord returned no answer. Hereupon Saul appointed lots to be cast, in order to discover who had violated the oath and protestation which he had made in God’s name, to eat no Food; and the lot fell upon Jonathan. Whereupon Saul said, May God treat me with the utmost severity, if thou Jonathan doest not die this day. But all the people opposed the King’s resolution, and hindred him from executing what he had declared.

Some Years after,² David having overcome Goliah in the manner which is generally known, Jonathan conceived so perfect a friendship for him, that he loved him as himself; as a proof of it, he stript himself of the robe which he had on, and gave it to David. He made him likewise a present of his sword, his bow, and his belt. And when David inçur’d Saul’s displeasure, Jonathan continued always zealous in his friend’s interests. He gave 1 Sam. xviii. 1 Sam. xix. 1, 2, 3, &c.him intelligence of the resolution which his father had taken to kill him, advised him to retire, and so wrought upon Saul, that this Prince promised him with an oath, not to kill him. Saul having again resolved upon the death of David,³ Jonathan took the liberty of speaking to the King, in order to dissuade him from this design: but perceiving that the destruction 1 Sam. xx.of his friend was a point determined, he went and gave notice of it to David, who lay in the mean while concealed in a field; when on a signal agreed upon between them, they met, conversed, and confirmed their friendship and covenant with an Oath. Jonathan engaged to acquaint David with what discoveries he could make of his father’s ill intentions towards him; and David on his part, obliged himself by oath to treat Jonathan as his best friend, and to use his family with Mercy, if Jonathan should die before him. After this they separated, and Jonathan returned to the city of Gibeah, without any one’s being a witness of their interview.

The year following,⁴ while David was in the Wilderness of Ziph, and lay concealed there in a forest, Saul was in pursuit of him with his troops, in order if he could 1 Sam. xxiii. 16, 17.to take him: but Jonathan went secretly to his friend, and said to him, Be not afraid; for let Saul my father do what he will, he will not find you; You will be King of Israel, and I shall be next to you, and this my father himself very well knows. They renewed the covenant which had passed between them, and so separated. At last the war breaking out between the Hebrews and Philistines,⁵ Saul and Jonathan incamped on mount Gilboa with the army of Israel: but their camp was forced, their troops routed, and they themselves 1 Sam. xxxi. 1, 2.killed. The news whereof being brought to David, he mourned for a year in a very sensible manner, and consecrated a funeral song to their honour, wherein he evidenced all the tenderness of his heart towards his friend Jonathan. Jonathan had 2 Sam. i. 18, 19, 20, &c.a son, whose name was Mephibosheth, on whom David heaped great riches. See Mephibosheth.

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