11. Two hundred men invited from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They went innocently, knowing nothing ⌊about Absalom’s plans⌋.
12. While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, David’s adviser, to come from his home in Giloh. Meanwhile, the conspiracy grew stronger, and the number of people siding with Absalom kept getting larger.
13. Someone came to tell David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”
14. David told all his men who were with him in Jerusalem, “Let’s flee immediately, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Let’s leave right away, or he’ll catch up to us and bring disaster on us when he massacres the city.”
15. The king’s servants told him, “No matter what happens, we are Your Majesty’s servants.”
16. The king left on foot, and his whole household followed him except ten concubines whom the king left behind to take care of the palace.
17. As the king and his troops were leaving the city on foot, they stopped at the last house.
18. All his mercenaries passed by him; all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, Ittai, and all 600 men who had followed him from Gath were marching past the king.
19. 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.
20. You came to us just yesterday. Should I make you wander around with me when I don’t even know where I’m going? Go back, and take your countrymen with you. ⌊May the Lord⌋ always show you kindness.”
21. But Ittai answered the king, “I solemnly swear, as the Lord and the king live: Wherever you are, whether you’re dead or alive, I’ll be there.”
22. So David told Ittai, “Go ahead and keep marching.” So Ittai from Gath marched on with all his men and all the families who were with him.
23. The whole country was crying loudly as all the troops were passing by. The king was crossing the Kidron Valley, and all the people were moving down the road toward the desert.
24. Zadok and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of God’s promise. They set down the ark of God beside Abiathar until all the troops had withdrawn from the city.
25. The king told Zadok, “Take God’s ark back to the city. If the Lord looks favorably on me, he will allow me to come back and see both it and its dwelling place again.
26. But if he says, ‘I’m not pleased with you,’ let him do to me what he considers right.”