17. The king left with everyone in his house following him on foot. They stopped at the last house.
18. All the king’s officers passed by him. And all the Kerethites, all the Pelethites, and the Gittites (600 men from Gath) passed by the king.
19. The king said to Ittai from Gath, “Why are you also going with us? You are a foreigner; this is not your homeland. Go back and stay with the new king.
20. You came to join me only yesterday. You don’t need to wander from place to place with me. Take your brothers and go back. Go with my faithful, loving kindness.”
21. But Ittai answered the king, “As the Lord lives, and as long as you live, I will stay with you, in life or death!”
22. David said to Ittai, “Then come, let’s go cross Kidron Brook.” So Ittai from Gath and all of his people and their children crossed over Kidron Brook.