Statue of Jónatas

Climbing a few more steps, we find the statue of the young Jonathan, holding in his right hand a honeycomb and having a beehive at his feet. Under the same is the respective Latin inscription: «GUSTANS GUSTAVI IN SUMITATE VIRGAE; ET ECCE MORIOR », translated: «I only tasted a little honey with the tip of the stick in my hand. I’m ready to die. ».

Jónatas was the son of King Saul, and at some point he decided to fight the Philistines only with his squire. He left without saying anything to his father. However, after the feat of Jónatas, Saul fought with the Philistines.

The Israelites were exhausted that day because Saul had forced the people under oath not to eat anything before nightfall, until he had avenged himself on his enemies. Jónatas ignored the oath, held out the end of the staff in his hand, dipped it in a honeycomb, and carried it to his mouth.

And Saul said, confess what have done, and Jónatas said: «I have tasted only a little honey with the end of the rod which was in my hand. I’m ready to die. ». The people, however, save Jónatas because of the victory of Israel.