1)

Why is he now called Yehonason?

1.

Radak: This is a tradition - before now he is called Yonason (except for 14:6, 8), and after this Yehonason. 1 `


1

Chomas Anach (Shmuel 2 Perek 1, citing Get Pashut 129:121): A Yud was added to David's name (in Divrei ha'Yamim, and sometimes in other Kesuvim), and a Hei to Yonason's name, to hint that Hashem's name Yud-Kei was between them, like Chazal say (Sotah 17b, Rashi there) about a man and his wife. It is a woman's nature to marry a man. Yonason willingly added a Hei to his name, in order to be like a wife to David. This is why David said (2:1:26) that his love was more than love of women.

2)

Why did Yehonason love David?

1.

Malbim: Both of them had a Ru'ach of Gevurah and Kedushah; similar matters are drawn to each other.

3)

Why does it say that he loved him "k'Nafsho"?

1.

Malbim: It was not love due to what is pleasant or beneficial, rather, intrinsic love - good loves good. Love of the Nefesh is the highest love. 1


1

Avos (5:16): Any love not dependent on a [Rambam - physical] matter, like that of David and Yehonason, is permanent.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

KIH Logo
D.A.F. Home Page
Sponsorships & DonationsReaders' FeedbackMailing ListsTalmud ArchivesAsk the KollelDafyomi WeblinksDafyomi CalendarOther Yomi calendars