Jonathan

Jonathan was the eldest son of King Saul and a formidable soldier — he and his armor-bearer alone once routed a Philistine garrison, saying "Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few." When David returned from killing Goliath, Jonathan's soul was immediately knit to David's. He made a covenant with him, stripped off his own robe and armor and sword and gave them to David — a gesture of startling generosity from a crown prince toward a shepherd.

As Saul's jealousy toward David curdled into murderous intent, Jonathan repeatedly interceded with his father on David's behalf, warned David of specific threats to his life, and arranged secret signals in a field to tell David whether it was safe to return to court. Their final parting in the woods at Horesh is among scripture's most poignant scenes — Jonathan strengthened David's hand in God, and the friends wept together knowing they might not meet again. Jonathan died with his father and brothers at the battle of Jezreel. David's lament — "Your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women" — has no equal in biblical literature as a tribute to friendship.