12. And while he was offering sacrifices, Absalom also sent to the town of Gilo for Ahithophel, who was one of King David's advisers. The plot against the king gained strength, and Absalom's followers grew in number.
13. A messenger reported to David, “The Israelites are pledging their loyalty to Absalom.”
14. So David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “We must get away at once if we want to escape from Absalom! Hurry! Or else he will soon be here and defeat us and kill everyone in the city!”
15. “Yes, Your Majesty,” they answered. “We are ready to do whatever you say.”
16. So the king left, accompanied by all his family and officials, except for ten concubines, whom he left behind to take care of the palace.
17. As the king and all his men were leaving the city, they stopped at the last house.
18. All his officials stood next to him as the royal bodyguard passed by in front of him. The 600 soldiers who had followed him from Gath also passed by,
19. and the king said to Ittai, their leader, “Why are you going with us? Go back and stay with the new king. You are a foreigner, a refugee away from your own country.
20. You have lived here only a short time, so why should I make you wander round with me? I don't even know where I'm going. Go back and take your fellow-countrymen with you — and may the Lord be kind and faithful to you.” be kind and faithful to you; Hebrew kindness and faithfulness.
21. But Ittai answered, “Your Majesty, I swear to you in the Lord's name that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death.”
22. “Fine!” David answered. “March on!” So Ittai went on with all his men and their dependants.
23. The people cried loudly as David's followers left. The king crossed the brook of Kidron, followed by his men, and together they went out towards the wilderness.