2 Samuel 15:19-29

19 and the king said to Ittai, their leader, "Why are you going with us? Go back and stay with the new king. You are a foreigner, a refugee away from your own country.
20 You have lived here only a short time, so why should I make you wander around with me? I don't even know where I'm going. Go back and take all your people with you - and may the Lord be kind and faithful to you."
21 But Ittai answered, "Your Majesty, I swear to you in the Lord's name that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death."
22 "Fine!" David answered. "March on!" So Ittai went on with all his men and their dependents.
23 The people cried loudly as David's followers left. The king crossed Kidron Brook, followed by his men, and together they went out toward the wilderness.
24 Zadok the priest was there, and with him were the Levites, carrying the sacred Covenant Box. They set it down and didn't pick it up again until all the people had left the city. The priest Abiathar was there too.
25 Then the king said to Zadok, "Take the Covenant Box back to the city. If the Lord is pleased with me, some day he will let me come back to see it and the place where it stays.
26 But if he isn't pleased with me - well, then, let him do to me what he wishes."
27 And he went on to say to Zadok, "Look, take your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan and go back to the city in peace.
28 Meanwhile, I will wait at the river crossings in the wilderness until I receive news from you."
29 So Zadok and Abiathar took the Covenant Box back into Jerusalem and stayed there.

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. [One ancient translation] and may the Lord be kind and faithful to you; [Hebrew] kindness and faithfulness.
  • [b]. [Probable text] set it down; [Hebrew] poured it out.
  • [c]. [Probable text] was there too; [Hebrew] went up.
  • [d]. [Some ancient translations] Look; [Hebrew] Are you the seer?
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.