Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. New Living Translation Then the king turned and said to Ittai, a leader of the men from Gath, “Why are you coming with us? Go on back to King Absalom, for you are a guest in Israel, a foreigner in exile. English Standard Version Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home. Berean Standard Bible Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. Berean Literal Bible And the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner, and also you are an exile from your own place. King James Bible Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. New King James Version Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place. New American Standard Bible Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you go with us too? Return and stay with your king, since you are a foreigner and an exile as well; return to your own place. NASB 1995 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why will you also go with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile; return to your own place. NASB 1977 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why will you also go with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile; return to your own place. Legacy Standard Bible Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why will you also go with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile; return to your own place. Amplified Bible Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you go with us, too? Go back and stay with the king [of your own country], for you are a foreigner and an exile as well; return to your own place. Berean Annotated Bible Then the king said to Ittai (with me) the Gittite (belonging to Gath), “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. Christian Standard Bible The king said to Ittai of Gath, “Why are you also going with us? Go back and stay with the new king since you’re both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. Holman Christian Standard Bible The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Go back and stay with the new king since you’re both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. American Standard Version Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return, and abide with the king: for thou art a foreigner, and also an exile; return to thine own place. Contemporary English Version David spoke to Ittai and said, "You're a foreigner from the town of Gath. You don't have to leave with us. Go back and join the new king! English Revised Version Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile; return to thine own place. GOD'S WORD® Translation The king asked Ittai from Gath, "Why should you go with us? Go back, and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. Good News Translation 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. International Standard Version Then the king suggested to Ittai the Gittite, "Why should you have to go with us? Return and stay with the new king, since you're a foreigner and exile. Stay where you want to stay. NET Bible Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why should you come with us? Go back and stay with the new king, for you are a foreigner and an exile from your own country. New Heart English Bible Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and you also are an exile from your place. Webster's Bible Translation Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Why goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king; for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. World English Bible Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Return, and stay with the king; for you are a foreigner and also an exile. Return to your own place. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the king says to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you go—you also—with us? Return and abide with the king, for you [are] a stranger, and also an exile, you—to your place. Berean Literal Bible And the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner, and also you are an exile from your own place. Young's Literal Translation And the king saith unto Ittai the Gittite, 'Why dost thou go -- thou also -- with us? turn back -- and abide with the king, for thou art a stranger, and also an exile thou -- to thy place. Smith's Literal Translation And the king will say to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore wilt thou go, also thou, with us? turn back and dwell with the king, for thou a stranger and thou an exile to thy place. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the king said to Ethai the Gethite: Why comest thou with us? return and dwell with the king, for thou art a stranger, and art come out of thy own place. Catholic Public Domain Version Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite: “Why do you come with us? Return and live with the king. For you are a stranger, and you departed from your own place. New American Bible the king said to Ittai the Gittite: “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and you, too, are an exile from your own country. New Revised Standard Version Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also coming with us? Go back, and stay with the king; for you are a foreigner, and also an exile from your home. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Why do you also go with us? Depart from the king; for you are a stranger, and also you were brought captive from your country. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The King said to Ati the Gittite: “Why do you go also with us? Stay behind from the King, because you are a foreigner, also you were surely brought forth from your country OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite: 'Wherefore goest thou also with us? return, and abide with the king; for thou art a foreigner, and also an exile from thine own place. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the king said to Ethi, the Gittite, Why dost thou also go with us? return, and dwell with the king, for thou art a stranger, and thou has come forth as a sojourner out of thy place. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Flees Jerusalem…18and all his servants marched past him—all the Cherethites and Pelethites, and six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath. 19Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. 20In fact, you arrived only yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.”… Cross References Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, 2 Samuel 18:2 He sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the troops, “I will surely march out with you as well.” 1 Samuel 27:2-3 So David set out with his six hundred men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath. / David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. “Why should you also go with us? Ruth 1:11-13 But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands? / Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, / would you wait for them to grow up? Would you refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, it is much more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.” Numbers 10:29-32 Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.” / “I will not go,” Hobab replied. “Instead, I am going back to my own land and my own people.” / “Please do not leave us,” Moses said, “since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes. … 2 Kings 2:2-6 and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. / Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.” / And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho. … Go back and stay with the new king, 2 Samuel 16:15-19 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. / And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” / “Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?” … 1 Samuel 29:4-7 But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the war. What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men? / Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” / So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright, and it seems right in my sight that you should march in and out with me in the army, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day. But you are not good in the sight of the leaders. … 1 Kings 2:36-38 Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. / On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.” / “The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time. since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. 1 Kings 8:41-43 And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name— / for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name. Hebrews 11:13 All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Genesis 23:4 “I am a foreigner and an outsider among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead.” Ruth 1:16-17 But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. / Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” 1 Samuel 22:3-4 From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I learn what God will do for me.” / So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold. 1 Kings 2:7 But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom. 1 Chronicles 12:18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers, for your God helps you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his troops. 2 Samuel 19:37-38 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.” / The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight, and I will do for you whatever you desire of me.” Treasury of Scripture Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Why go you also with us? return to your place, and abide with the king: for you are a stranger, and also an exile. Ittai 2 Samuel 18:2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also. Ruth 1:11-13 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? … Jump to Previous Abide Absalom Besides Country Dwellest Exile Far Foreigner Gittite Goest Ittai It'tai Stranger WhereforeJump to Next Abide Absalom Besides Country Dwellest Exile Far Foreigner Gittite Goest Ittai It'tai Stranger Wherefore2 Samuel 15 1. Absalom, by fair speeches and courtesies, steals the hearts of Israel.7. By pretense of a vow, he obtains leave to go to Hebron 10. He makes there a great conspiracy 13. David upon the news flees from Jerusalem 19. Ittai will leave him 24. Zadok and Abiathar are sent back with the ark 30. David and his company go up mount Olivet weeping, 31. He curses Ahithophel's counsel 32. Hushai is sent back with instructions Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite David, the king, is addressing Ittai, a leader from Gath, a Philistine city. This highlights David's diverse following, including foreigners, which reflects his leadership and the fulfillment of God's promise to make Israel a light to the nations. Ittai's loyalty to David, despite being a Philistine, prefigures the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan, as seen in the New Testament. “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, who is fleeing Jerusalem due to Absalom's rebellion. He is a central figure in this account, demonstrating leadership and humility. 2. Ittai the Gittite A foreigner and a loyal follower of David. Despite being a recent addition to David's followers, he shows remarkable loyalty and commitment. 3. Absalom David's son, who has declared himself king and is the reason for David's flight from Jerusalem. His rebellion is a significant event in David's life and reign. 4. Jerusalem The capital city of Israel, from which David is fleeing. It represents the center of political and spiritual life for Israel. 5. Exile The state of being barred from one's native country, which is relevant to Ittai's situation as a foreigner and to David's temporary departure from Jerusalem. Teaching Points Loyalty Beyond BordersIttai's commitment to David, despite being a foreigner, teaches us about the power of loyalty and faithfulness that transcends national and cultural boundaries. Leadership in Crisis David's interaction with Ittai shows his ability to inspire loyalty and his humility in allowing others to choose their path, a model for leadership during challenging times. The Cost of Discipleship Just as Ittai chose to follow David at great personal risk, we are called to follow Christ, understanding that true discipleship may require sacrifice and courage. Welcoming the Outsider David's acceptance of Ittai, a foreigner, reflects the biblical principle of welcoming and valuing those who are different from us, aligning with the broader scriptural call to love the stranger. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 15:19?2. Why does David ask Ittai, "Why should you come with us?" 3. How does Ittai's loyalty reflect Christ's call to follow Him? 4. What does Ittai's response teach about commitment in difficult times? 5. How can we demonstrate loyalty to God in our daily lives? 6. Compare Ittai's loyalty to Ruth's in Ruth 1:16-17. What similarities exist? 7. Why did David tell Ittai to return in 2 Samuel 15:19? 8. What does Ittai's loyalty in 2 Samuel 15:19 teach about faithfulness? 9. How does 2 Samuel 15:19 reflect on leadership and trust? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 15? 11. How can 2 Samuel 19:18-23 reconcile David's promise to spare Shimei with later biblical texts (e.g., 1 Kings 2:8-9) commanding his execution? 12. Why does King David, described elsewhere as righteous (1 Kings 15:5), resort to deceit and murder in 2 Samuel 11:14-17? 13. 2 Kings 15:19 speaks of Menahem paying tribute to Pul, king of Assyria--do extrabiblical sources confirm this tribute or Pul's identity? 14. Does the timeline in 2 Samuel 15 align with other biblical accounts, or does it create chronological contradictions? What Does 2 Samuel 15:19 Mean Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite• The scene sits in the middle of David’s hurried flight from Absalom (2 Samuel 15:14). • Ittai, a recent arrival from Gath (2 Samuel 15:18), is singled out. His Philistine background recalls David’s own earlier refuge in Gath under Achish (1 Samuel 27:2), showing how God weaves unlikely people into His plan, much as He did with Rahab (Joshua 6:25) and Ruth (Ruth 2:12). • David still speaks as “the king,” underscoring that earthly upheaval cannot cancel God’s choice (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 89:28-29). “Why should you also go with us?” • David’s first instinct is protective, not self-preserving. He refuses to draft loyalty; he invites Ittai to count the cost (cf. Lu 14:28-30). • The king’s humility resembles earlier moments when he put others’ welfare ahead of his own (1 Samuel 22:3; 2 Samuel 18:5). • This approach mirrors Christ, who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). “Go back and stay with the new king” • David acknowledges Absalom’s present advantage (2 Samuel 15:10), yet never concedes God’s promise. • Offering Ittai a safe return reflects David’s confidence that the throne ultimately rests in God’s hands (2 Samuel 15:25-26; Psalm 37:5-7). • The suggestion also frees Ittai to act from conviction, not compulsion—a pattern later echoed by Paul with Onesimus (Philemon 14). “You are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland.” • David empathizes; he too had lived as an exile among the Philistines (1 Samuel 29:6). • Scripture consistently commands kindness to the sojourner (Exodus 22:21; Deuteronomy 10:19). David practices what the Law preaches. • Ittai’s forthcoming choice (2 Samuel 15:21) will parallel Ruth’s pledge: “Where you go I will go” (Ruth 1:16-17). Such Gentile loyalty prefigures the gathering of all nations to David’s greater Son (Ephesians 2:12-13; Revelation 5:9-10). summary David’s brief exchange with Ittai highlights a king who protects rather than coerces, trusts God rather than circumstances, and honors outsiders within the covenant community. The verse showcases the Lord’s heart for the foreigner and signals the widening circle of grace that culminates in Christ’s global kingdom. (19) Ittai the Gittite.--The patronymic must here be understood literally, since David calls him "a stranger and also an exile;" he had but comparatively recently (2Samuel 15:20) attached himself to David's service, bringing with him his family and others of his countrymen. From the fact that David afterwards entrusted him with the command of a third of his forces, it is clear that he must have been an experienced general. It cannot be shown positively that he was a proselyte, although this is probable.In the latter part of this verse the English has unnecessarily changed the order of the words. Read, "Return and abide with the king, for thou art a stranger and an exile at thy place," viz., at Jerusalem. David neither means to recognise Absalom as king, nor yet to speak of him ironically; he only means to tell Ittai that, as a foreigner, he need not concern himself in such a question, but is quite justified in serving the king de facto, whoever he may be. Ittai's answer may be compared with Ruth's (Ruth 1:16-17). Verse 19. - Ittai the Gittite. Ittai was not one of the six hundred, though there was an Ittai among them, a Benjamite. He was a citizen of Gath, who had lately come ("yesterday," see ver. 20), with all his household of slaves and dependents, his clan, Hebrew, his taf - translated in ver. 22 his "little ones." He had evidently been a person of importance in his own country, whence he had been driven, perhaps by political troubles, and was now, therefore, an exile and a foreigner (Authorized Version, "stranger") at Jerusalem. As David made him joint commander of his army with Joab and Abishai (2 Samuel 18:2), he must also have been a general of recognized military skill. As he was thus not personally interested in the government of Israel, and, in fact, had only lately come thither, David recommends him to return... and abide with the king, that is, with the de facto king, Absalom. But so great was the fascination which David exercised upon those around him, that this foreigner boldly threw in his lot with him, and accompanied him in his flight. Return to thy place. This is a very daring transposition, as the Hebrew is, Return and abide with the king; for thou art a foreigner, and also an exile art thou to thy place. The Revised Version gives the same sense as the Authorized, though it shows more respect to the grammar. But the Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, by "his own place" understand Gath, either taking the words as meaning "an exile as to thy own place," or having a different reading. The Hebrew then proceeds, Yesterday was thy coming, and shall 1 today make thee wander to go with us, seeing I go whither I go? that is, I go I know not whither. Return thou, and take back thy brethren - in mercy and truth. This gives a very good sense, but the Septuagint and Vulgate have a different reading: "Take back thy brethren with thee, and the Lord chew thee mercy and truth." The Syriac gives the genera] sense of the Hebrew, rendering, "Take back thy brethren well."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then the kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king said וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Ittai אִתַּ֣י (’it·tay) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 863: Ithai -- perhaps 'companionable', an Israelite, also a Philistine the Gittite, הַגִּתִּ֔י (hag·git·tî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1663: Gittite -- an inhabitant of Gath “Why לָ֧מָּה (lām·māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what should you אַתָּ֖ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you also גַּם־ (gam-) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and go תֵלֵ֛ךְ (ṯê·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk with us? אִתָּ֑נוּ (’it·tā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among Go back שׁ֣וּב (šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again and stay וְשֵׁ֤ב (wə·šêḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with the new king, הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king since כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you are אַ֔תָּה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you both a foreigner נָכְרִ֣י (nā·ḵə·rî) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 5237: Foreign, alien and וְגַם־ (wə·ḡam-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and an exile גֹּלֶ֥ה (gō·leh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal from your homeland. לִמְקוֹמֶֽךָ׃ (lim·qō·w·me·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition Links 2 Samuel 15:19 NIV2 Samuel 15:19 NLT 2 Samuel 15:19 ESV 2 Samuel 15:19 NASB 2 Samuel 15:19 KJV 2 Samuel 15:19 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 15:19 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 15:19 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 15:19 French Bible 2 Samuel 15:19 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 15:19 Then said the king to Ittai (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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