Jesus Christ has commanded that we "lay down" our lives for our friends. David's friend Jonathan followed this command as he risked his life for David. Jonathan was a friend to David as Barnabas was to Paul and as John the Baptist was to Jesus, loving David as he would his own life, giving David his robe, armor, and weapon, jeopardizing his own life. He was willing to yield his inherited rulership to David, realizing God had appointed David the future king. Jonathan is derived from the Hebrew word "nathan," meaning to give and "ja" meaning the Lord gives. Together the segments mean "God gives." We need to take the cue from Jonathan and our Elder Brother, being willing to lay down our lives for our friends.