The Pain of Rejection of the Father

Jonathan

(From 1 Samuel 14)

The roots of Jonathan’s character sprout not only from his relationship with his father but also from his lineage as a Benjamite.

The Benjamites were a people who were brought under the condemnation of the other tribes for their practice of sodomy. (Judges 19-20)

Jonathan was first mentioned when he was in his father’s military.

Jonathan’s father trained him as a warrior. He is first mentioned as one sent out with a troop of one thousand and conquered the Philistines at Geba. He and his father were the only two with swords. The Israelites did not have swords, as this was a weapon of the more progressive Philistines. The Israelites made weapons with their plowshares. This is significant later because Jonathan gives David his sword. It may be true that Saul’s relationship with Jonathan revolved around what he could do as a soldier. We see many fathers placing this type burden on their sons in that they will show them affection or praise only if they meet a standard or live the life the father plans for them.

Jonathan’s father sowed seeds of rebellion in his son.

Jonathan rebelled and showed little respect for his father, when he “crossed over into the Philistine’s garrison” without consulting his father, the leader of the campaign. (1 Sam. 14.1)

He also showed no respect for his father and undermined his authority when he said, “my father has troubled the land”. (14.29)

This rebelliousness and disrespect for his father may have been the result of a wounded spirit.

Saul was a man given to anger. His iniquity was passed down to his son.

Next, a man's relationship with God and his father as seen in Jonathan.