Ittai Pledges Loyalty As David Leaves Jerusalem

13Then a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

14Then David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, for there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Hurry to depart, lest he quickly overtake us and bring disaster upon us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”

15The king’s servants said to the king, “Whatever my lord the king chooses, here are your servants.”

16So the king went out, and all his household after him on foot; and the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house.

17The king went out, and all the people with him on foot, and they halted at the distant house.

18And all his servants were passing by at his side, and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites—six hundred men who had come on foot with him from Gath—were passing on before the king.

19Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place.”

20You came only yesterday, and today should I make you wander with us, while I go wherever I can go? Return, and take your brothers back with you. May steadfast love and faithfulness be with you.

21Then Ittai answered the king and said, “As Yahweh lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there your servant will be.”

22Then David said to Ittai, “Go on and cross over.” So Ittai the Gittite crossed over, along with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.

23And all the land was weeping with a loud voice, and all the people were crossing over. The king also crossed over the Kidron Valley, and all the people were crossing over on the road toward the wilderness.