A Short Study on Jonathan, Saul's son

If the Bible were "just a story," the figure of Jonathan would be what they call a "flat character." He assumes certain fixed qualities and does not change through the course of the story.   At least this is my hypothesis jumping into the Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, and David narrative this morning.

Qualities of Jonathan

1.  He was a leader:

"Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home, every man to his tent."   1 Samuel 13:2

Saul placed Jonathan over one of the three companies of his soldiers.

2. He was a man of action

 Jonathan attacked and killed the Philistine governor stationed at Geba (Gibeah). 1 Samuel 13:3

"Later that day, Jonathan, Saul's son, said to his armor bearer, "Come on, let's go over to the Philistine garrison patrol on the other side of the pass." But he didn't tell his father."  1 Samuel 14:1

This sense of industry and action is set up against the leisurely manner in which his father approaches battle:

"Meanwhile, Saul was taking it easy under the pomegranate tree at the threshing floor on the edge of town at Geba (Gibeah). There were about six hundred men with him."  1 Samuel 14:2

3. He's not always up front with his father.  

Why? Perhaps he knows him better than we do.  Children know the ins and outs of their parents' ways intimately.  He may have doubted he would get an encouraging response or support from Saul.