1. Son of Gershom and grandson of Moses or Manasseh. Though only a Levite he acted as priest in the house of Micah, who had a graven image, an ephod, and teraphim. He afterward became priest to the tribe of Dan. He inquired of the Lord for them, and gave a reply as if God had answered him (Judg. 17:7-13; Judg. 18:1-30). He was called “a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah, of the family of Judah.” This may mean that he had merely resided there. Bethlehem was not a Levitical city. He had been sojourning where he could in those troublous times.
2. Son of Saul and friend of David. Jonathan was a valiant man, and a man of faith. He slew the garrison of the Philistines in Geba (1 Sam. 13:2-3). This caused the Philistines to gather together their armies; and Jonathan went secretly and alone with his armor-bearer, but in reliance on the Lord, up to their garrison, and the Philistines were smitten. But Jonathan, in pursuing them, tasted a little wild honey, not knowing that his father had pronounced a curse upon any that should taste food until evening. Desiring to follow up the victory, Saul inquired of God but received no reply, therefore lots were cast to discover why God would not answer—the lot fell on Jonathan and his father said he must die; but the army rescued him (1 Sam. 14:1-46).
On David’s slaying Goliath, Jonathan made a covenant with him because he “loved him as his own soul,” and gave to David his robe and his weapons (1 Sam. 18:1-4). He afterward sheltered David from the malice of Saul, and gave proof of his love in that, though he was heir to the throne, he agreed that David should be king, and he would be next to him (1 Sam. 19:1-7; 1 Sam. 20:1-42; 1 Sam. 23:16-18). Nevertheless Jonathan remained with his father, rather than with the one who was anointed by God to be His king, and with his father he perished. In this he was a type of the future remnant, who, having left the true David, will go through the tribulation (1 Sam. 31:2).
3. Son of Abiathar the high priest (2 Sam. 15:27,36; 2 Sam. 17:17,20; 1 Kings 1:42-43).
4. Son of Shimeah, David’s brother. He killed the giant who had twelve fingers and twelve toes (2 Sam. 21:21; 1 Chron. 20:7).
5-6. Two of David’s mighty men (2 Sam. 23:32; 1 Chron. 11:34).
7. Son of Jada, a descendant of Judah (1 Chron. 2:32-33).
8. Uncle of David: his counselor and secretary (1 Chron. 27:32).
9. Ancestor of some who returned from exile (Ezra 8:6).
10. Son of Asahel: he superintended the separation of the Jews from their strange wives (Ezra 10:15).
11. Son of Joiada, a priest (Neh. 12:11).
12. Priest “of Melicu” (Neh. 12:14).
13. Son of Shemaiah, a priest (Neh. 12:35). Apparently called JEHONATHAN in Nehemiah 12:18.
14. The scribe in whose house Jeremiah was imprisoned (Jer. 37:15,20; Jer. 38:26).
15. Son of Kareah (Jer. 40:8).