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19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you come with us? Go back and stay with the new[a] king, for you are a foreigner and an exile from your own country.[b] 20 It seems as if you arrived just yesterday. Today should I make you wander around by going with us? I go where I must go. But as for you, go back and take your men[c] with you. May genuine loyal love[d] protect[e] you!”

21 But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means death or life, there I[f] will be as well!” 22 So David said to Ittai, “Come along then.”[g] So Ittai the Gittite went along,[h] accompanied by all his men and all the dependents[i] who were with him.

23 All the land was weeping loudly[j] as all these people were leaving.[k] As the king was crossing over the Kidron Valley, all the people were leaving[l] on the road that leads to the desert.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 15:19 tn The word “new” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation to make it clear that David refers to Absalom, not himself.
  2. 2 Samuel 15:19 tn Heb “place.”
  3. 2 Samuel 15:20 tn Heb “brothers,” but see v. 22.
  4. 2 Samuel 15:20 tn Heb “loyal love and truth.” The expression is a hendiadys.
  5. 2 Samuel 15:20 tn Heb “be with.”
  6. 2 Samuel 15:21 tn Heb “your servant.”
  7. 2 Samuel 15:22 tn Heb “Come and cross over.”
  8. 2 Samuel 15:22 tn Heb “crossed over.”
  9. 2 Samuel 15:22 tn Heb “all the little ones.”
  10. 2 Samuel 15:23 tn Heb “with a great voice.”
  11. 2 Samuel 15:23 tn Heb “crossing over.”
  12. 2 Samuel 15:23 tn Heb “crossing near the face of.”

19 The king said to Ittai(A) the Gittite, “Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner,(B) an exile from your homeland. 20 You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander(C) about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your people with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness.”[a](D)

21 But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.”(E)

22 David said to Ittai, “Go ahead, march on.” So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and the families that were with him.

23 The whole countryside wept aloud(F) as all the people passed by. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley,(G) and all the people moved on toward the wilderness.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 15:20 Septuagint; Hebrew May kindness and faithfulness be with you