Ittai the Gittite
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In humility and sorrow David passed out of the gate of Jerusalem—driven from his throne, from his palace, from the ark of God, by the insurrection of his cherished son.
The people followed in long, sad procession, like a funeral train.
David’s bodyguard of Cherethites, Pelethites, and six hundred Gittites from Gath, under the command of Ittai, accompanied the king.
But David, with characteristic unselfishness, could not consent that these strangers who had sought his protection should be involved in his calamity.
He expressed surprise that they should be ready to make this sacrifice for him.” David ordered Ittai to return to Jerusalem, but Ittai gave a stirring response: “As the LORD 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” (2 Samuel 15:21).
“These men had been converted from paganism to the worship of Jehovah, and nobly they now proved their fidelity to their God and their king. David, with grateful heart, accepted their devotion to his apparently sinking cause, and all passed over the brook Kidron on the way toward the wilderness.” “It was essential now that he [David] have with him only those in whom he could place the fullest dependence. Thus far these men had proved themselves true. But now that David was engaged in a civil war, he may not have been certain that they would continue loyal. “. . . David’s concern for these strangers was well repaid. Treating these men kindly, he found them ready to throw in their lot fully with him. “. . . David could ask for nothing more.” It must have warmed David’s heart to hear these men pledge to defend him with their lives.
The future might look bleak, yet David’s spirits were lifted by knowing that the Lord was with him still. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
