21. But Ittai said to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will stay with you. I’ll be with you wherever you are. I’ll be with you whether it means life or death.”
22. David said to Ittai, “Go, march on.” So Ittai from Gath and all his people with their children marched on.
23. All the people cried loudly as everyone passed by. King David also crossed the Kidron Valley. Then all the people went on to the desert.
24. Zadok and all the Levites with him were carrying the Ark of the Covenant with God. They set down the Ark of the Covenant. And Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had left the city.
25. The king said to Zadok, “Take the Ark of the Covenant of God back into the city. If the Lord is pleased with me, he will bring me back. He will let me see both it and Jerusalem again.
26. But if the Lord says he is not pleased with me, I am ready. He can do what he wants with me.”
27. The king also said to Zadok the priest, “You are a seer. Go back to the city in peace. Take your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan with you.