19 Then the king said to (A)Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you go with us too? Return and stay with [a]your king, since you are a foreigner and an exile as well; return to your own place. 20 You came only yesterday, so should I make you wander with us today, while (B)I go wherever I go? Return and take your brothers back; (C)mercy and [b]truth be with you.” 21 But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, (D)wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there assuredly shall your servant be!” 22 Then David said to Ittai, “Go and cross over the brook Kidron.” So Ittai the Gittite crossed over with all his men and all the [c]little ones who were with him. 23 While all the country was weeping with a loud voice, all the people were crossing over. The king was also crossing over (E)the brook Kidron, and all the people were crossing over toward (F)the way of the wilderness.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 15:19 Lit the king
  2. 2 Samuel 15:20 Or faithfulness
  3. 2 Samuel 15:22 I.e., children; here, families of the men

19 Then the king suggested to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you have to go with us? Return and stay with the new[a] king, since you’re a foreigner and exile. Stay where you want to stay.[b] 20 It seems only yesterday that you arrived, so should I make you wander around with us while I go wherever I can? Go back, and take your brothers with you. May gracious love and truth accompany you!”

21 “As the Lord lives,” Ittai answered in reply, “and as your majesty the king lives, wherever your majesty my king may be—whether living or dying—that’s where your servant will be!”

22 So David replied, “Come along, then!” So Ittai the Gittite went along also, accompanied by all of his men and all of his little ones. 23 With all of the people in[c] the territory crying loudly, everybody passed over the Kidron brook, along with the king. Then everyone headed out toward the road that leads to the wilderness.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 15:19 The Heb. lacks new
  2. 2 Samuel 15:19 Lit. Stay in your own place
  3. 2 Samuel 15:23 The Heb. lacks of the people in