16. Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind 10 concubines to take care of the palace.
17. So the king set out, and all the people followed him. They stopped at the last house
18. while all his servants marched past him. Then all the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and the Gittites — 600 men who came with him from Gath — marched past the king.
19. The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Go back and stay with the new king since you’re both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland.
20. Besides, you only arrived yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I go wherever I can? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness.”
21. But in response, Ittai vowed to the king, “As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means life or death, your servant will be there! ”