14. Then David said unto all his slaves that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee, for we shall not otherwise escape from Absalom; make speed to depart lest he overtake us suddenly and bring evil upon us and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
15. And the king’s slaves said unto the king, Behold, thy slaves are ready to do whatever my lord the king shall choose.
16. And the king went forth and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house.
17. And the king went forth and all the people after him and stopped in a place that was far off.
18. And all his slaves passed to his side, and all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had come on foot with him from Gath, went before the king.
19. Then the king said to Ittai, the Gittite, Why dost thou also go with us? Return to thy place and abide with the king; for thou art a stranger and also an exile.
20. Whereas thou didst come but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? Seeing I go where I go, return thou and take back thy brethren; mercy and truth are in thee.
21. And Ittai answered the king and said, As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, for life or for death, wherever my lord the king shall be, there also will thy slave be.
22. Then David said to Ittai, Go, therefore, and pass. And Ittai, the Gittite, passed and all his men and all the little ones that were with him.
23. And all those of the land wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed the brook Kidron; and then the king also passed, and all the people passed unto the way of the wilderness.
24. And behold Zadok also and with him all the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of God, and they set down the ark of God. And Abiathar went up after all the people had finished leaving the city.
25. But the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city; if I shall find grace in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again and show me both it and his tabernacle.