Jonathan Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1 Samuel

Jonathan, son of Saul, makes his introduction in 1 Samuel 13:2 in the midst of battle with the Philistines. The relationship between Jonathan and Saul is documented as being a turbulent one with Jonathan having to make difficult decisions regarding his relationships with David (he who defeated Goliath), his father and God. Jonathan is introduced in the New International Version by way of the following passage:

"Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Mikmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes."

Answer: Saul

"Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years" (1 Samuel 13:1). Later on in this chapter, Saul is rebuked for his lack of patience and obedience by not complying with the Lord's instruction (via Samuel) to wait for Samuel to arrive at Gilgal before the offering of a pre-war sacrifice. Samuel informs Saul that his "kingdom will not endure" and that the Lord had appointed another man "ruler of his people".

Answer: Ahinoam

Saul's immediate family tree is explored in 1 Samuel 14:49-51, verses which inform us that Jonathan had numerous siblings including Ishvi, Malki-Shua, Merab and Michal. The rather dry passage of text also asserts that Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz, is the mother of Jonathan and the wife of Saul. What 1 Samuel 14:49-51 does not, however, tell us is that Saul took a concubine named Rizpah; readers have to wait until 2 Samuel 3:7 to stumble upon this juicy news!

Answer: David

The nature of the relationship between David (Tribe of Judah) and Jonathan (Tribe of Benjamin) has been the focus of a great deal of scholarship and debate. Steering clear of interpretation and sticking to matters of biography, 1 Samuel 20:16-17 emphasises the close relationship between the two:

"So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the Lord call David's enemies to account." And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself."

During the New Moon feast Saul becomes irate at the actions of Jonathan and the relationship he had with David. In 1 Samuel 20:30 Saul berates Jonathan, "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse [David] to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?"

What is not remotely arguable is that the relationship between Saul, Jonathan and David was a very complicated one!

Answer: Mephibosheth

Such was the closeness of the relationship between Jonathan and David that the latter sought to make sure that the former's family was suitably well provided for subsequent to Jonathan's untimely demise. 2 Samuel 9 opens with David asking, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"

David was subsequently informed that a child of Jonathan was still alive, a son by the name of Mephibosheth. David told Mephibosheth that "...I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table."

2 Samuel 9 appears to be somewhat fixated on the fact that Mephibosheth was "lame in both feet", mentioning it on multiple occasions.

Answer: Benjamin

Jonathan belonged to the Tribe of Benjamin, one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The tribe is referenced in 1 Samuel 13:2, "...a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin", with Gibeah being the location from which Jonathan's father, Saul, had reigned for many decades. The domain of the Tribe of Benjamin included Jerusalem and the region was bordered to the south by the Tribe of Judah (home to Bethlehem).

With Jonathan belonging to Benjamin and David a member of the Tribe of Judah, the relationship between Jonathan and David caused great difficulties for Saul, particularly in relation to matters of succession.

Answer: Philistines

1 Samuel 13 chronicles Jonathan's assault on the Philistines, "Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba and the Philistines heard about it". The remainder of 1 Samuel 13 and the opening verses of 1 Samuel 14 document Jonathan's bravery and faith in God. We are informed of the success that Jonathan and his armour-bearer have against "those uncircumcised men" (Philistines), most notably that the pair "killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre".

This precipitates a collapse in the Philistine defence; mass confusion set in as "panic struck the whole army" (1 Samuel 14:15).

Answer: Eagles

In 2 Samuel 1:23, Saul and Jonathan were likened to an eagle, a creature that evokes a sense of grace, accuracy and determination. The previous verse explores these themes more explicitly, "From the blood of the slain, from the flesh of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied".

In David's lamentation of the heroic pair, he encourages the people of Israel to remember the ways in which Saul and Jonathan, in their valour, had enriched their lives:

"Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold".

Answer: Lions

David's lamentation of Saul and Jonathan oozes symbolism and the line stating "...they were stronger than lions" is no exception. The lion represents concepts such as courage and majesty and its invocation is a most fitting tribute to the fallen king and his son.

The line also serves as a contemplation of the attributes required to lead a nation and its people, attributes that would be required by David during - and after - his ascension to nobility.

Answer: 2 Samuel

And so it ends for Jonathan on the battlefields at Mount Gilboa with an Amalekite informing David of the sorrowful news in 2 Samuel 1:4, "The men fled from the battle... Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are dead". David was stricken with grief and ordered the aforementioned Amalekite, who had played an active part in Saul's death, be struck down.

A lamentation is captured in 2 Samuel 1:19-27 which ends with a phrase that is still in use today, "How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished". After the lamentation, David becomes King of Judah (2 Samuel 2).