Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Whom Jehovah gave, the name of fifteen or more persons that are mentioned in Scripture. The chief of these are, (1.) A Levite descended from Gershom (Judg. 18:30). His history is recorded in 17:7-13 and 18:30. The Rabbins changed this name into Manasseh “to screen the memory of the great lawgiver from the stain of having so unworthy an apostate among his near descendants.” He became priest of the idol image at Dan, and this office continued
in his family till the Captivity. (2.) 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). (3.) Son of the high priest Abiathar, and one who adhered to David at the time of Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam. 15:27, 36). He is the last descendant of Eli of whom there is any record. (4.) Son of Shammah,
and David’s nephew, and also one of his chief warriors (2 Sam. 21:21). He slew a giant in Gath.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
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. (2 Samuel 1:23) He was also famous as a warrior, (1 Chronicles 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. (1 Samuel 14:6-16) During the pursuit, Jonathan, who had not heard of the
rash curse, ch. (1 Samuel 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. (1 Samuel 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. (1 Samuel 23:16-18) From this time forth we hear no more till the battle of Gilboa. In that battle he fell. (1 Samuel 31:2,8) (B.C. 1056.) his ashes were buried first at Jabesh-gilead, ch. (1 Samuel 31:13) but were afterward removed with those of his father to Zelah in Benjamin. (2 Samuel 21:12) The news of his death occasioned the
celebrated elegy of David. He left a son, Mephibosheth. [Mephibosheth]
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
JON'ATHAN (whom Jehovah gave). A Gershonite Levite who became by request the priest of Micah and afterward went with the Danites to Laish, where he and his posterity were priests. Judges 17:7-13 and Judges 18. The son of Saul, and distinguished for piety and valor. He and his armor bearer, being encouraged by an intimation from God, attacked a Philistine garrison, slew 20 men, and put the garrison to flight. Having ignorantly violated a decree of
his father (the king) that no man should stop, on pain of death, in the pursuit of the enemy to taste of food, the people interposed, and saved him from the penalty, which his father was ready to inflict. 1 Sam 14:37-45. After David's defeat of the giant, Jonathan became acquainted with him, and their friendship for each other was so remarkable as to be minutely described by the sacred historian. 1 Sam 18:1-4; 1 Sam 19:2. The opportunity to show
their friendship for each other was greatly extended by the bitter and relentless hostility of Saul to David. 1 Sam 19, 1 Sam 20, etc. Jonathan fell with his father and two brothers in the battle at Gilboa. The lamentation of David for his friend, 2 Sam 1:17-27, is justly regarded as inimitably pathetic and beautiful, and his treatment of Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, shows the sincerity and strength of his affection for the father. 2 Sam 9. The
son of Abiathar, the high priest. 2 Sam 16:27, 2 Sam 16:36; 2 Sam 17:17, 2 Sam 17:20; 1 Kgs 1:42-43. David's nephew, who slew a giant in Gath. 2 Sam 21:20-21; 1 Chr 20:6-7. One of David's valiant men.2 Sam 23:32; 1 Chr 11:34. A descendant of Jerahmeel. 1 Chr 2:32-33. One of David's uncles. 1 Chr 27:32 The father of one who returned with Ezra. Ezra 8:6. One who, with Ezra, investigated the mixed marriages. Ezra 10:15. A high priest for 32 years,
Neh 12:11; called Johanan in Neh 12:22-23. A priest. Neh 12:14. A priest, and the father of one who joined in the dedication of the wall. Neh 12:35. He in whose house was Jeremiah's prison. Jer 37:15, Jer 37:20; Jer 38:26. A son of Kareah, and brother of Johanan. Jer 40:8.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
given of God