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BIBLE DICTIONARY
Jonathan
Son of Gershom, a Levite who hired himself as a house-priest to Micah the Ephraimite ( Judg. 17: 7-13). Through him idolatrous worship was established in Dan ( Judg. 18).
Son of Saul, and friend of David; frequently mentioned in 1 Sam. 13 - 23. His friendship for David, whom he might naturally have regarded as a rival, is one of the most romantic incidents in O.T. history. He was killed, along with Saul, on Mount Gilboa. David’s lamentation over them is among the most beautiful of Bible poems ( 2 Sam. 1). Jonathan’s body was rescued from Beth-shan by the men of Jabesh-gilead. He left one son, Merib-baal, afterwards called Mephibosheth.
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