2 Samuel 15 18

2 Samuel 15:18 kjv

And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

2 Samuel 15:18 nkjv

Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king.

2 Samuel 15:18 niv

All his men marched past him, along with all the Kerethites and Pelethites; and all the six hundred Gittites who had accompanied him from Gath marched before the king.

2 Samuel 15:18 esv

And all his servants passed by him, and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath, passed on before the king.

2 Samuel 15:18 nlt

to let all the king's men move past to lead the way. There were 600 men from Gath who had come with David, along with the king's bodyguard.

2 Samuel 15 verses

2 Samuel 15 18 Meaning

2 Samuel 15:18 describes King David's loyal procession as he fled Jerusalem from Absalom's rebellion. It specifies that all his personal servants, along with his elite foreign bodyguards (the Cherethites and Pelethites), and a substantial contingent of six hundred men from Gath, marched steadfastly with him. This verse highlights the enduring loyalty of a select few, including foreigners, to David's kingship amidst widespread defection.

2 Samuel 15 18 Context

The verse 2 Samuel 15:18 is situated during the initial stages of Absalom's rebellion against King David. Chapter 15 opens with Absalom's gradual, deceptive undermining of David's authority and winning the hearts of the men of Israel. As the rebellion gains momentum and word reaches David that the conspiracy is strong and "the hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom," David makes the pragmatic decision to flee Jerusalem to avoid direct conflict within the holy city and prevent bloodshed (2 Sam 15:13-14). The departure of David and his household, including the loyal forces detailed in this verse, marks a profound moment of crisis and humility for the king. Historically and culturally, kings in the ancient Near East often employed foreign mercenaries due to their perceived loyalty (having no local political ties) and military prowess. David himself had a band of loyal followers from his days as an outlaw, some of whom were likely the predecessors to these "six hundred men" and were bound by personal allegiance.

2 Samuel 15 18 Word analysis

• And all his servants: (וְכָל־עֲבָדָיו – veḵol-‘avadaw). "Servants" here refers broadly to David's household, administrative staff, personal attendants, and royal guards beyond the specified military units. Their continued presence signifies their deep, personal allegiance to the king rather than a state bureaucracy, highlighting a bond of loyalty forged over years.
• passed on beside him: Demonstrates proximity and direct support, not merely accompanying him but marching as his immediate entourage, signifying intimate loyalty and protection in a perilous time.
• and all the Cherethites: (וְכָל־הַכְּרֵתִי – veḵol-hakKərethi). This group, alongside the Pelethites, formed David's elite royal bodyguard. They were likely mercenaries, possibly Philistine or Aegean (Cretan) in origin, known for their unwavering loyalty directly to the king rather than the general populace of Israel. Their loyalty stood in stark contrast to the shifting allegiances of many Israelites. Their presence underscores David's reliance on a trusted, professional military cadre.
• and all the Pelethites: (וְכָל־הַפְּלֵתִי – veḵol-hapPəlethi). Always paired with the Cherethites, these also constituted part of David’s highly dependable royal guard. Their name might relate to 'runners' or 'swift ones', or, like Cherethites, may denote their foreign origin. Their steadfastness signifies a personal commitment to David rather than national or tribal ties.
• and all the Gittites: (וְכָל־הַגִּתִּים – veḵol-haGittim). These were men from Gath, a major Philistine city. Their presence is particularly striking as Philistines were traditional enemies of Israel. Their loyalty to David likely stemmed from his prior asylum in Gath (1 Sam 27) and his generous treatment of Ittai the Gittite, a key leader among them. It emphasizes loyalty based on personal character and relationship rather than ethnicity or former hostilities.
• six hundred men who came after him from Gath: This specific number is highly significant, evoking David’s original band of loyal, desperate followers during his outlaw years when fleeing Saul (1 Sam 22:2, 27:2, 30:9-10). The detail "from Gath" further highlights their foreign origin but underscores their dedication, having joined David and followed him even into exile from their homeland. It implies a strong personal bond, almost a sworn allegiance, that transcends national identity.
• passed on before the king: This signifies their role as a vanguard or honor guard, taking the leading position in the procession. This demonstrates not just passive accompaniment but active protection and commitment to ensuring the king's safety and establishing the direction of the march. Their position speaks to their importance and trusted status in a vulnerable situation.

2 Samuel 15 18 Bonus section

The loyalty of the Cherethites, Pelethites, and Gittites underscores a significant theme in the Bible: God's work is not confined to one specific ethnic or national group. David, as God's chosen king, garnered loyalty not solely from Israelites but also from these foreign contingents, highlighting an early anticipation of God's broader redemptive plan that would include all nations. The Gittites, specifically from a Philistine city, symbolize a powerful spiritual paradox – faithfulness coming from the unexpected and even traditionally hostile quarters. Ittai the Gittite (mentioned immediately after this verse in 2 Sam 15:19-22) epitomizes this loyalty, stating his commitment to go wherever the king goes, whether for life or for death. This commitment elevates his foreign loyalty to a paradigmatic example for all who would follow God’s chosen leaders, ultimately pointing to absolute allegiance to Christ. The re-emergence of the "six hundred men" reinforces David's foundational identity and core loyalists from his wilderness years, signifying that true strength comes from trusted, faithful relationships, not merely numbers or popularity.

2 Samuel 15 18 Commentary

2 Samuel 15:18 offers a poignant illustration of true loyalty amidst profound betrayal. As King David, God’s anointed, faces a popular rebellion led by his own son, the verse identifies those who remain steadfastly with him. The procession of his "servants," "Cherethites and Pelethites," and particularly "six hundred men from Gath," presents a vivid tableau of unwavering devotion. These were not just paid soldiers but individuals and groups bound to David by deep personal allegiance, earned through his character and their experiences with him. The inclusion of the foreign Cherethites, Pelethites, and Gittites is striking; these Philistine or Aegean groups, once enemies of Israel, demonstrate a fidelity greater than that of many Israelites. This serves as a powerful biblical truth: loyalty to God's anointed, or to righteousness, can emerge from unexpected places, transcending conventional ties of kinship or nation. In times of testing and adversity, genuine allegiance is revealed not by declared affinity but by sacrificial action, remaining with the suffering king. This act of following David in exile, rather than joining the seemingly successful Absalom, anticipates the call to faithful discipleship of Christ, who was also rejected by His own, yet gathered a loyal remnant, even from among Gentiles.