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.
23. All the people cried loudly as everyone passed by. King David crossed the Kidron Valley, and then all the people went on to the desert.
24. Zadok and all the Levites with him carried the Ark of the Agreement with God. They set it down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had left the city.
25. The king said to Zadok, “Take the Ark of God back into the city. If the Lord is pleased with me, he will bring me back and will let me see both it and Jerusalem again.
26. But if the Lord says he is not pleased with me, I am ready. He can do what he wants with me.”