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, and they stopped at a house far away.
18. All the king’s servants passed by him—the Kerethites and Pelethites, all those from Gath, and the six hundred men who had followed him.
19. The king said to Ittai, a man from Gath, “Why are you also going with us? Turn back and stay with King Absalom because you are a foreigner. This is not your homeland.
20. You joined me only a short time ago. Should I make you wander with us when 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, 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.