2 Samuel 15:13-23

13 A messenger came to David, saying, "The Israelites are giving their loyalty to Absalom."

14 Then David said to all his officers who were with him in Jerusalem, "We must leave quickly! If we don't, we won't be able to get away from Absalom. We must hurry before he catches us and destroys us and kills the people of Jerusalem."

15 The king's officers said to him, "We will do anything you say."

16 The king set out with everyone in his house, but he left ten slave women to take care of the palace.

17 The king left with all his people following him, and they stopped at a house far away.

18 All the king's servants passed by him -- the Kerethites and Pelethites, all those from Gath, and the six hundred men who had followed him.

19 The king said to Ittai, a man from Gath, "Why are you also going with us? Turn back and stay with King Absalom because you are a foreigner. This is not your homeland.

20 You joined me only a short time ago. Should I make you wander with us when I don't even know where I'm going? Turn back and take your brothers with you. May kindness and loyalty be shown to you."

21 But Ittai said to the king, "As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will stay with you, whether it means life or death."

22 David said to Ittai, "Go, march on." So Ittai from Gath and all his people with their children marched on.

23 All the people cried loudly as everyone passed by. King David crossed the Kidron Valley, and then all the people went on to the desert.

2 Samuel 15:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 15

This chapter relates how that Absalom by various artful methods stole away the hearts of the people of Israel, 2Sa 15:1-6; that pretending a vow he had made, he got leave of the king to go to Hebron to perform it, 2Sa 15:7-9; where he formed a considerable conspiracy, 2Sa 15:10-12; of which David having information, thought it advisable to depart from Jerusalem, both for his own safety, and the good of the city, which he did with his family, and guards, and much people, 2Sa 15:13-18; though he would have persuaded Ittai the Gittite to have returned, but could not prevail upon him, 2Sa 15:19-23; however, he sent back the priests and the Levites with the ark, lest any harm should come to that, 2Sa 15:24-29; and as he and the people went up the mount of Olives weeping, it was told him that Ahithophel was among the conspirators, on which he put up a prayer that his counsel might be infatuated, 2Sa 15:30,31; and Hushai the Archite coming to him at that juncture, he sent him back to Jerusalem to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, and to send him word by the priests what he should hear there from time to time, 2Sa 15:32-37.