Topical Bible: Anger: Jonathan, on Account of Saul's Persecution of David

◄ Anger: Jonathan, on Account of Saul's Persecution of David ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, Jonathan, the son of King Saul, is a prominent figure known for his deep friendship with David, the future king of Israel. This friendship is marked by loyalty, covenantal love, and a shared faith in God. However, Jonathan's relationship with his father, Saul, becomes strained due to Saul's growing animosity and persecution of David.

The tension between Jonathan and Saul is vividly illustrated in 1 Samuel 20. Saul's jealousy and fear of David's rising popularity and God's favor lead him to seek David's life. Jonathan, aware of his father's intentions, is caught in a difficult position, torn between his loyalty to his father and his covenant with David. Despite this, Jonathan chooses to protect David, demonstrating his commitment to righteousness and justice.

Jonathan's anger towards Saul is particularly evident during the New Moon festival, as recorded in 1 Samuel 20:24-34. David's absence from the king's table prompts Saul to question Jonathan. When Jonathan defends David, Saul's anger flares, and he hurls a spear at Jonathan, attempting to kill him. This act of violence reveals the depth of Saul's irrational hatred and confirms to Jonathan the seriousness of his father's intentions against David.

The Berean Standard Bible captures this moment in 1 Samuel 20:30-34: "Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, 'You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother who bore you? As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!' 'Why must he be put to death? What has he done?' Jonathan replied. But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David. Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the feast, he did not eat, because he was grieved by his father’s shameful treatment of David."

Jonathan's anger is not rooted in personal vendetta or pride but in righteous indignation. He is grieved by his father's unjust actions and the potential harm to his friend, David. This anger is a reflection of his moral integrity and his understanding of God's will for Israel. Jonathan's response to Saul's actions underscores the biblical principle that anger, when aligned with God's righteousness, can be a legitimate response to injustice and sin.

Jonathan's anger also highlights the cost of standing for truth and righteousness. Despite the personal risk and the potential loss of his own claim to the throne, Jonathan remains steadfast in his support for David. His actions serve as a testament to the power of covenantal friendship and the importance of aligning one's actions with God's purposes, even in the face of familial opposition and personal danger.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 20:34
So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 25:10
Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: why their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Samuel
... David's reign"the atonement by which Jehovah's anger, expressed in ... 2:27-36),[2] in
the account of the ... that the incomparable elegy over Saul and Jonathan in 2 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/samuel.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... Jonathan's eating the honey, [1419]434; if slain, a double ... the monks, [1545]455;
does not anger an enemy ... effects of their intercession, [1594]454; account of one ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... sun shall not smite thee": that is, persecution shall not ... Yea, it is upon this account
that he boasteth, and ... a young man's feet, whose name was Saul, that they ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... And upon this account, as well as upon any other, it ... even to the provoking his God
to anger under this ... made the three thousand come, that made Saul come, that ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm