14. And David saith to all his servants who [are] with him in Jerusalem, `Rise, and we flee, for we have no escape from the face of Absalom; haste to go, lest he hasten, and have overtaken us, and forced on us evil, and smitten the city by themouth of the sword.'
15. And the servants of the king say unto the king, `According to all that my lord the king chooseth--lo, thy servants [do].'
16. And the king goeth out, and all his household at his feet, and the king leaveth ten women--concubines--to keep the house.
17. And the king goeth out, and all the people at his feet, and they stand still at the farthest off house.
18. And all his servants are passing on at his side, and all the Cherethite, and all the Pelethite, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came at his feet from Gath, are passing on at the front of the king.
19. And the king saith unto Ittai the Gittite, `Why dost thou go--thou also--with us? turn back--and abide with the king, for thou [art] a stranger, and also an exile thou--to thy place.
20. Yesterday [is] thy coming in, and to-day I move thee to go with us, and I am going on that which I am going! --turn back, and take back thy brethren with thee, --kindness and truth.'
21. And Ittai answereth the king and saith, `Jehovah liveth, and my lord the king liveth, surely in the place where my lord the king is--if for death, if for life, surely there is thy servant.'
22. And David saith unto Ittai, `Go and pass over;' and Ittai the Gittite passeth over, and all his men, and all the infants who [are] with him.