11. Absalom had invited 200 men to go with him. So they went from Jerusalem with him. But they didn’t know what he was planning.
12. Ahithophel was one of the people who advised David. He was from the town of Giloh. While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he called Ahithophel to come from his hometown of Giloh. So Absalom’s plans were working very well. More and more people began to support him.
13. A man came in to tell the news to David. The man said, “The Israelites are beginning to follow Absalom.”
14. Then David spoke to all his officers who were with him in Jerusalem. He said, “We must leave quickly! If we don’t, we won’t be able to get away from Absalom. We must hurry before he catches us. He would destroy us and kill the people of Jerusalem.”
15. The king’s officers said to him, “We will do anything you say.”
16. The king set out with everyone in his house. But he left ten slave women to take care of the palace.
17. The king left with all his people following him. They stopped at the last house.
18. All the king’s servants passed by him. All the Kerethites and Pelethites, the king’s bodyguards, passed by him. All those from Gath, the 600 men who had followed him, passed by him.
19. The king spoke to Ittai, a man from Gath. He said, “Why are you also going with us? Turn back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner. This is not your homeland.
20. Only a short time ago you came to join me. Today should I make you go with us to other places? I don’t even know where I’m going. Turn back, and take your brothers with you. May kindness and loyalty be shown to you.”
21. But Ittai said to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will stay with you. I’ll be with you wherever you are. I’ll be with you whether it means life or death.”
22. David said to Ittai, “Go, march on.” So Ittai from Gath and all his people with their children marched on.
23. All the people cried loudly as everyone passed by. King David also crossed the Kidron Valley. Then all the people went on to the desert.
24. Zadok and all the Levites with him were carrying the Ark of the Covenant with God. They set down the Ark of the Covenant. And Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had left the city.
25. The king said to Zadok, “Take the Ark of the Covenant of God back into the city. If the Lord is pleased with me, he will bring me back. He will let me see both it and Jerusalem again.