16-17. David left behind ten of his wives to take care of the palace, but the rest of his family and his officials and soldiers went with him.They stopped at the last house at the edge of the city.
18. Then David stood there and watched while his regular troops and his bodyguards marched past. The last group was the six hundred soldiers who had followed him from Gath. Their commander was Ittai.
19. David spoke to Ittai and said, “You're a foreigner from the town of Gath. You don't have to leave with us. Go back and join the new king!
20. You haven't been with me very long, so why should you have to follow me, when I don't even know where I'm going? Take your soldiers and go back. I pray that the Lord will be kind and faithful to you.”
21. Ittai answered, “Your Majesty, just as surely as you and the Lord live, I will go where you go, no matter if it costs me my life.”
22. “Then come on!” David said.So Ittai and all his men and their families walked on past David.
23. The people of Jerusalem were crying and moaning as David and everyone with him passed by. He led them across Kidron Valley and along the road towards the desert.
24. Zadok and Abiathar the priests were there along with several men from the tribe of Levi who were carrying the sacred chest. They set the chest down, and left it there until David and his followers had gone out of the city.
25. Then David said:Zadok, take the sacred chest back to Jerusalem. If the Lord is pleased with me, he will bring me back and let me see it and his tent again.
26. But if he says he isn't pleased with me, then let him do what he knows is best.
27. Zadok, you are a good judge of things, so return to the city and don't cause any trouble. Take your son Ahimaaz with you. Abiathar and his son Jonathan will also go back.
28. I'll wait at the river crossing in the desert until I hear from you.
29. Zadok and Abiathar took the sacred chest back into Jerusalem and stayed there.
30. David went on up the slope of the Mount of Olives. He was barefoot and crying, and he covered his head to show his sorrow. Everyone with him was crying, and they covered their heads too.
31. Someone told David, “Ahithophel is helping Absalom plot against you!”David said, “Please, Lord, keep Ahithophel's plans from working!”
32. When David reached the top of the Mount of Olives, he met Hushai the Archite at a place of worship. Hushai's robe was torn, and dust was on his head.