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.
23. All the people were crying loudly. Then King David crossed over Kidron Brook, and all the people went out to the desert.
24. Zadok and all the Levites with him were carrying the Box of God’s Agreement. They set down God’s Holy Box, and Abiathar said prayers until all the people had left Jerusalem.
25. King David said to Zadok, “Take God’s Holy Box back to Jerusalem. If the Lord is pleased with me, he will bring me back and let me see Jerusalem and his Temple.
26. But if he says he is not pleased with me, let him do whatever he wants to me.”
27. The king said to Zadok the priest, “You are a seer. Go back to the city in peace. Take your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
28. I will be waiting near the places where people cross the river into the desert. I will wait there until I hear from you.”
29. So Zadok and Abiathar took God’s Holy Box back to Jerusalem and stayed there.
30. David walked up the path to the Mount of Olives. He was crying, his head was covered, and he went without sandals on his feet. All the people with David also covered their heads and were crying as they walked with him.
31. Someone told David, “Ahithophel is one who joined in Absalom’s plot against you.” Then David prayed, “Lord, I ask you to make Ahithophel give only foolish advice.”