15. “Yes, Your Majesty,” they answered. “We are ready to do whatever you say.”
16. So the king left, accompanied by all his family and officials, except for ten concubines, whom he left behind to take care of the palace.
17. As the king and all his men were leaving the city, they stopped at the last house.
18. All his officials stood next to him as the royal bodyguard passed by in front of him. The 600 soldiers who had followed him from Gath also passed by,
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 round with me? I don't even know where I'm going. Go back and take your fellow-countrymen with you — and may the Lord be kind and faithful to you.”