And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men that came after him from Gath, passed over before the king.
David is fleeing Jerusalem. He stops, and his people march past him, so that everyone can see who is still with him. The list is surprising: the men closest to the rejected king are foreigners, and the largest group came from a Philistine city.
The verse marks two positions: some pass beside the king, others go on ahead of him. The order is deliberate.
This hurried flight is still so calm that it looks like a royal procession rather than a defeat. The reason is the deep sense of being with God in trouble. Behind him walk his household and all the people who have stayed faithful to him. At his sides are his servants. Before him are his warriors. Absalom's companions may see this march as a rout for David. The Cherethites, the Pelethites, and the Gittites see it as the highest honour.
The first two groups in the verse had a fixed job in David's service.
Body-guard of David and officers sent to do service. They were faithful to David at the revolt of Absalom.
The six hundred are named by the town they came from, and that town has a history with David.
The name given to the six hundred men who lived in Gath, and to their leader Ittai, who followed David at Absalom's revolt. Goliath also was a Gittite.
Israel had gone over to Absalom.
Notice this. His own people rebel, and the true king of Israel becomes a stranger and a fugitive. At that very moment strangers are set in the place of honour. The Cherethites and the Pelethites were Philistine tribes. They came, it is said, from Crete. The Gittites, the people of Gath, left that Philistine city and their homeland to join their lot to David's. Their former king had lost his authority over them. The Lord's king had become the compass to guide them from that time on.
The same pattern reappears in Christ.
Israel rejected Him, and so He has become the centre of attraction for the nations. Those nations were strangers to the promises. They had no right to the blessings of the people. Rejected, He has become the centre of all. His own follow Him with delight, because they find security nowhere else but in Him whom the world refused. They follow because they know that the time of His rejection will end, and that those who have shared in His troubles will certainly share in His glory.
David has no capital, no throne and no reward to hand out now.
A loving band of followers crowds round the weeping, barefoot David. That touches our hearts far more than the sight of them crowding round his throne. It convinces us more fully that his person, and not his office, was the centre of attraction. David had nothing to offer his followers now except a share in his rejection. Yet there was a charm about him, for those who knew him, that bound them to him at all times.
Ittai leads the six hundred. His name explains why a former enemy is standing here.
David, it seems, has done more than destroy the Philistine giant: he has captured the men of the giant's city, and in the most striking way. But a gleam of light flashes on us with his name, Ittai, "with Jehovah." He once lived at a distance from God, a "child of wrath," and has now been brought near. No wonder such a man follows the One who won the victory in the conflict that the fight in Elah pictures. Pass on, Ittai, with your six hundred: who can doubt the faithful service you will give your master? Stranger and exile, we know where your heart is: you are fit to bear witness to a rejected king.
Every man walked past the king in full view.
It is during this period of David's history that hearts are shown for what they are. Under the rule of the throne, the question is submission rather than love. But a rejected Christ attracts devotion, and in these circumstances we can see whether His followers are truly attached to Him. They tied their fate to the king's. They were not afraid to risk danger by declaring openly that they were his.
- Rejection sifts. While the throne stands, loyalty costs nothing. Once the king is driven out, walking past him in the open shows who loves him.
- The person attracts. David could offer his followers nothing but a share in his rejection. For those who knew him, that was enough.
- Strangers advance. Cherethites, Pelethites and six hundred men from Gath left their own land for David. On the day Israel deserts, they lead the column.
- Distance becomes nearness. Ittai's name means "with Jehovah." He came from Goliath's city, and he is fit to witness for the king Israel threw out.
- Sharing ends in glory. Those who share in Christ's troubles will certainly share in His glory. His rejection has a time limit.
And the king said to Ittai the Gittite, Why dost thou also go with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king; for thou art a foreigner, and besides, thou hast emigrated to the place where thou [dwellest].
David is fleeing Jerusalem while his son Absalom seizes the throne. As his men file past, he stops one foreign recruit and tells him to go back, which raises the question of the whole chapter: who stays with a king when staying costs everything?
Ittai was a Philistine from Gath, and he held a command among David's own guard. One summary of his life carries it into a future day:
A Philistine of Gath, head of a portion of David's guard. He was faithful to David at the revolt of Absalom, returned with the king, and had a command in his army. 2 Sam. 15:19-22; 2 Sam. 18:2, 5, 12. He shows how Gentiles will share with the remnant of Israel in both the sufferings and the reign of their Messiah, and will serve Him in a future day.
David is not pushing Ittai away. He is testing him, and he tells him plainly what following him now means:
Ittai the Gittite (2 Sam. 15:20) is a stranger and an exile, and his heart is attracted to the person of David. David tests the professed devotion of his servant. He puts his own portion before him as the portion of his followers, warning him that the only prospect ahead of him is to be an outcast and a wanderer in this scene. In spirit he says, "The world hates me and it will also hate you." How beautifully this test brings out the depth of Ittai's devotion... In practice he put his life in his hands, and this self-denial is the first great requirement of a true servant.
David gives Ittai every reason to walk away, and then blesses him as he goes:
Everything gave him an excuse not to throw in his lot with David. He was a stranger, an immigrant who had not yet gained the right of citizenship in Israel. He had come only yesterday... David himself did not expect from Ittai the effort it would take to follow him. "Go back," David tells him, "and take your brothers with you, and may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you!" He even blesses him, to make him see that in such circumstances a lack of decision would in no way be held against him as evil. But this stranger shows great faith. To have great faith you do not need great intelligence or a long Christian life. It is enough to have a high estimation of the Lord.
David counts Ittai's newness as a reason to excuse him. The pattern often runs the other way round:
In this present day of grace it is sometimes refreshing to see cases like Ittai's. Some have held an outwardly near position in the testimony of God for some years. Then, when troubles came, they gave up any such testimony. Others have come in only lately, with fresh, vital affection toward the Lord. Difficulties do not move them. They prove their steadfast devotion by continuing with the Lord with all their heart.
Ittai must choose between two kings: the one taking the throne and the one leaving the city. The same choice reaches us:
Where do we stand in our loyalty to a rejected Christ? His rights for the moment have been taken over... Satan has many devices which he can use to divert believers from full commitment to the Lord. Further, the religious profession around us is largely marked by deadness and lack of response to the love of Christ. One meaning of Ittai's name is "living," and in the power of living affections he was ready to throw in his lot with David in his rejection.
Ittai turned down a safe way out and asked for nothing in exchange. The end of the story gives him what he never sought:
The motive that governed Ittai was devotion to David. He does not appear to have been seeking any reward. Indeed, he was ready to die with the king. But in 2 Samuel 18 we find David restored to the throne. Verse 5 of that chapter shows how much David valued his devotion. A third part of the people is put under his control.
Ittai's hope points to what Jesus promises anyone who serves Him:
What Ittai desired is what Jesus promises to us: "If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him" (John 12:26)... If we have served Him in His humiliation, then we may be sure that the Father will give us a place of honour, because we were not afraid of sharing His shame before the world.
- Stranger. Ittai was a Philistine from Gath with no right of citizenship — his heart drawn to David himself.
- Tested. David's question sets out his own portion as the portion of anyone who follows: an outcast and a wanderer.
- Freed. David offers him every excuse and a blessing, so that turning back would not have been counted against him.
- Chosen. Great faith needs no long history. A man who came only yesterday outlasted those with years of standing.
- Crowned. He sought no reward and was ready to die; the restored king gave him a third of the people to command, and the Father honours all who follow His Son in His rejection.
Thou didst come yesterday, and should I this day make thee go up and down with us, seeing I go whither I can? Return and take back thy brethren. Mercy and truth be with thee!
David is fleeing Jerusalem, barefoot and weeping, because his son Absalom has seized the throne. At the edge of the city he turns to a foreign soldier and argues him out of following, since there is nothing left to gain.
David can no longer reward anyone who stays with him.
This is a deeply touching scene. David's grace shines out more during this conspiracy than at any period of his life. It is not only his grace that appears here, but the genuine devotion of his dear people too. When we see a loving band of followers crowding round the weeping, barefoot David, our hearts are far more deeply touched than when we see them crowding round his throne. We are more fully convinced that his person, and not his office, was what drew them. David had nothing to offer his followers now except fellowship in his rejection. Yet there was a charm about him, for those who knew his person, that bound them to him at all times.
David's reason comes from Ittai's own position in Israel.
Every factor combined to excuse him from throwing in his lot with David's. He was a stranger, an immigrant who had not yet gained the rights of a citizen in Israel. He had come only yesterday. Morally he was like a small child trying his first steps. David himself did not expect from Ittai the effort it would take to follow him.
The verse ends with a blessing: "may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you." Older translations read "mercy and truth." That blessing is a release, not a rebuke.
"Go back," David tells him, "and take your brothers with you. Mercy and truth be with you!" He even blesses him, to make him realise that in such circumstances no one would hold a lack of decision against him as wrong. But this stranger shows great faith. To have great faith you do not need great intelligence or a long Christian life. It is enough to value the Lord highly. It is enough to know that nothing can equal Him or compare with Him, and that He alone can fully satisfy every need.
David promised only wandering, with no fixed destination. Commentators differ on what he was doing: one reads a real dismissal, another a deliberate test.
Ittai the Gittite, a stranger and an exile, has his heart drawn to the person of David. David tests his servant's professed devotion. He sets before him his own portion as the portion of all who follow him. He warns him that being an outcast and a wanderer in this scene is the only prospect ahead. In effect he says, "The world hates me and it will hate you too."
David treats Ittai's short history with him as a reason to excuse him. One writer sees the same thing happening today.
In this present day of grace it is sometimes refreshing to see cases like Ittai's. Some have held an outwardly close position in the testimony of God for years, and then, when trouble came, they gave up that testimony. Others have newly come in with fresh, living affection for the Lord. They are not shaken by the difficulties, but prove their steady devotion by continuing wholeheartedly with the Lord.
Ittai replied that wherever the king was, in death or in life, there his servant would be.
It is not a question of, Is this right, or is that right? but, Where is my Lord the King? His place decides my place. What is His place in relation to this world? Rejection! Then that is my place in the world. Where is He with regard to the Father's glory? In acceptance! Then that is my place too. Death comes first in Ittai's committal; I cannot enjoy the one unless I accept the other.
David told him to take his people back. Ittai took them forward instead.
Not only did Ittai go over, he took his companions with him and also the little ones. Let us see to it that we not only go that way ourselves, but are ready to take our little ones with us. Why set out on that path ourselves, and yet leave our little ones behind? Why even push them into the world that has cast Christ out?
- Person, not position. David had nothing left to give but a share in his rejection. The loyalty he still received proves it was the man, not the throne, that held people.
- Excused, not obliged. David released Ittai with a blessing, so turning back would not have counted against him. The door out was open.
- Yesterday is enough. Great faith does not need a long history; it needs a high estimate of the one it follows.
- Death before life. Ittai named death first. You cannot enjoy the glory unless you accept the rejection.
- Bring the little ones. Ittai crossed over with his men and his children. Real devotion does not leave the next generation behind.
And Ittai answered the king and said, [As] Jehovah liveth, and [as] my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
David is fleeing Jerusalem, driven out by his own son Absalom. On the way he turns to Ittai, a foreigner who had joined him, and tells him to go home. Ittai's answer raises one question: what binds a person to a king who has nothing left to give?
David at this moment had nothing left to give the people who followed him. One writer compares this crowd with the crowd that once surrounded his throne.
This is a deeply touching scene. Here we see a loving band of followers crowding round the weeping, barefooted David. Our hearts are touched far more deeply than when we see them crowding round his throne. We are more thoroughly convinced that his person, and not his office, was the centre of attraction. David had nothing to offer his followers now except fellowship in his rejection. Yet there was a charm about him, for those who knew his person, that bound them to him at all times.
Everything about Ittai's position gave him an honest excuse to turn back.
Every factor combined to excuse him from casting his lot in with David's. He was a stranger, an immigrant who had not yet gained the right of citizenship in Israel, one who came only yesterday. In spiritual growth he was like a little child taking his first steps... But this stranger gives evidence of great faith. To have great faith you do not need great intelligence or a long Christian life. It is enough to have a high estimation of the Lord. It is enough to know that nothing can equal Him or compare with Him, and that He alone can completely satisfy every need.
Ittai does not say "life or death." He names death first.
When David offers him the chance to turn back and stop following, we hear his words of true committal... Notice that he puts death first. His devotion to David was such that even death itself would not stop him from following his rejected king completely.
Ittai's oath weighs no consequences. It asks one question: where will the king be?
It is not a question of, Is this right, or is that right? but, Where is my Lord the King? His place determines my place. What is His place in relation to this world? Rejection! Then that is my place in the world. Where is He in regard to the Father's glory? In acceptance! Then that is my place also. Death comes first in Ittai's committal; I cannot enjoy the one unless I accept the other.
Another writer hears in Ittai's words the very thing Jesus later promised to anyone who serves Him.
What Ittai desired is what Jesus promises to us: "If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him" (John 12:26). The Lord tells us: in death, perhaps, but certainly in glory. In serving Him we are assured of the glory, because that is where He is forever. Note again that the Father's heart is satisfied with devotion to His Son. If we have served Him in His humiliation, we may be sure that the Father will give us a place of honor, because we have not been afraid of sharing His shame before the world.
One writer sees the same contrast repeat among believers today.
In this present day of grace it is sometimes refreshing to witness cases similar to that of Ittai. Some have held an outwardly close position in the testimony of God for years. Then troubles came, and they gave up any such testimony. Others have come in only lately, with fresh, living affection toward the Lord. Difficulties do not move them. They prove their steadfast devotion by continuing with the Lord with all their heart.
Ittai had left his own city and home behind. His choice also decided where his family went.
He was an exile from the city, an exile from his home, but the company of David made up for them both... Are we prepared to die with Christ so that we may live with Him?... Not only did Ittai go over, he took his associates with him and also the little ones. Let us see to it that we not only go that way ourselves, but are prepared to take our little ones with us.
- Person — David had nothing left to share but rejection. Those who stayed came for the man himself, not for his office.
- Stranger — Ittai had arrived only yesterday. Great faith needs no long history, only a high estimate of the one it follows.
- Death first — Ittai names death before life. Devotion that has settled the worst outcome has nothing left to fear.
- Place — the servant asks only where his king is. Rejection now, glory later, and the Father honors those who shared His Son's shame.
- Household — Ittai went over with all his men and all the little ones. Loyalty that costs something takes the family along instead of leaving them behind.
And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
David is leaving Jerusalem with the throne in his son Absalom's hands, and at the edge of the city he tries to send a foreign soldier home. Ittai refuses, so David tells him to cross over — and this foreigner leaves the city with his men and his little children, following a rejected king.
David does not thank Ittai, argue with him, or praise him. He only tells him to pass on; the quotes below use the older wording, "Go and pass over." One writer reads the silence as the mark of a man too moved to speak.
What must that reply of Ittai's have meant to David's heart at that moment? His reply is so short: "Go and pass over." Not one word of thanks or praise. Why was this? I think David's heart was too full for words at that moment; and Ittai understood. There are times when heart enters into heart so closely that words are not needed — indeed they only jar, and are out of place.
Ittai was a foreigner and a recent arrival. David himself had offered him a way out, with a blessing attached.
Every factor combined to excuse him from casting his lot in with David's. He was a stranger, an immigrant who had not yet acquired the right of citizenship in Israel, one come only yesterday… David even blesses him, to make him realise that in such circumstances a lack of decision would in no way be counted against him as evil. But this stranger gives evidence of great faith. To have great faith there is no need of great intelligence, nor of a long Christian life. It is enough to have a high estimation of the Lord.
Ittai had been with David barely a day, and he stayed. One writer sees the same thing happening today.
In this present day of grace it is sometimes refreshing to witness cases similar to that of Ittai. Some have held an outwardly near position in the testimony of God for some years. Yet when troubles came, they gave up any such testimony. Others have only just come in, with fresh, living affection toward the Lord. Difficulties do not move them. They prove their steadfast devotion by continuing with the Lord with all their heart. David therefore welcomes the help of Ittai and his men (v. 22).
The verse names two groups that crossed with Ittai: his men and the little ones. He left nobody behind.
We read that this man went over with David, and with him went "all his men, and all the little ones that were with him"… Ittai did not go over alone. He took his companions with him, and the little ones too. Let us see to it that we not only go that way ourselves, but are prepared to take our little ones with us. Why set out on that pathway ourselves, and yet leave our little ones behind? Why push them into the world that has cast Christ out?
That night the children lost their beds and their home. One writer imagines what they were told instead.
And so "Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him." And that night when the little ones' bedtime came, there were no warm cosy beds; but on and on they walked, down those steep, wild hills… I can hear those little ones: "Daddy, where are we going? Why did we leave our house, Daddy?" And Ittai answers: "We are following the King!" That is enough, and I venture to say the hearts of those little ones are riveted to their King with bonds of love that never can be broken.
Crossing the brook left Ittai with the enemy behind him and bare desert ahead. One writer weighs that against what he still had.
"Go and pass over!" the king tells Ittai. So he goes over the brook Kidron, turning his back on the triumphant enemy, with the desert path before him (v. 23). What does it matter? David is his shepherd; he will lack nothing.
Ittai asked for nothing and expected to die. The later chapters record what David did with him.
What governed Ittai was devotion to David. He does not appear to have sought any reward. Indeed, he was ready to die with the king. But in 2 Samuel 18 we find David restored to the throne. Verse 5 of that chapter shows how David valued his devotion: he put a third part of the people under Ittai's control.
One writer hears Ittai's choice in a promise Jesus makes to His servants.
What Ittai wanted is what Jesus promises us: "If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him" (John 12:26)… If we have served Him in His humiliation, we may be sure the Father will give us a place of honour, because we were not afraid to share His shame before the world.
- Attracted. Ittai's loyalty was not owed. He was a foreigner who had not yet earned the right of citizenship. The king had won his heart.
- Excused. David released him and blessed him. Staying behind would not have counted against him — which is why going over counted for so much.
- Crossed. He turned his back on the winning side and took the wilderness road. The king himself was enough.
- Accompanied. His men and the little ones crossed with him. Take the children onto the path you choose; do not leave them in the city behind.
- Rewarded. He sought nothing and was ready to die. The restored king put a third of the people under his command, and the Father honours all who share His Son's shame.