13. A messenger came and spoke to David. He told him, "The hearts of the people are turned toward Absalom."
14. Then David spoke to all of his officials who were with him in Jerusalem. He said, "Come on! We have to leave right away! If we don't, none of us will escape from Absalom. He'll move quickly to catch up with us. He'll destroy us. His men will kill everyone in the city with their swords."
15. The king's officials answered him, "You are our king and master. We're ready to do anything you want."
16. The king started out. Everyone in his whole family went with him. But he left ten concubines behind to take care of the palace.
17. So the king and all those who were with him left. They stopped at a place that wasn't very far away.
18. All of David's officials marched past him. All of the Kerethites and Pelethites marched along with them. And all of the 600 men who had come with him from Gath marched in front of him.
19. The king spoke to Ittai. He was from Gath. The king said to him, "Why do you want to come along with us? Go back. Stay with King Absalom. You are a stranger. You left your own country.
20. You came to join me only a short time ago. So why should I make you wander around with us now? I don't even know where I'm going. So go on back. Take with you the others who are from your country. And may the Lord be kind and faithful to you."
21. But Ittai replied to the king, "You are my king and master. I want to be where you are. It doesn't matter whether I live or die. And that's just as sure as the Lord and you are alive."
22. David said to Ittai, "Go ahead then. Keep marching with my men." So Ittai, the Gittite, kept marching. All of his men and their families marched with him.
23. All of the people in the countryside sobbed out loud as David and all of his followers passed by. The king went across the Kidron Valley. He and all of the people who were with him moved on toward the desert.
24. Zadok also went with them. Some of the Levites went with him. They were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark down. Abiathar offered sacrifices until all of the people had left the city.
25. Then the king said to Zadok, "Take the ark of God back into the city. If the Lord is pleased with me, he'll bring me back. He'll let me see the ark again. He'll also let me see Jerusalem again. That's the place where he lives.
26. But suppose he says, 'I am not pleased with you.' Then I accept that. Let him do to me what he thinks is best."
27. The king spoke again to the priest Zadok. He said, "You are a prophet, aren't you? Go back to the city in peace. Take your son Ahimaaz with you. Also take Abiathar and his son Jonathan with you.
28. I'll wait at the place in the desert where we can go across the Jordan River. I'll wait there until you send word to let me know what's happening."
29. So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem. They stayed there.