2 Samuel 15 22

2 Samuel 15:22 kjv

And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

2 Samuel 15:22 nkjv

So David said to Ittai, "Go, and cross over." Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over.

2 Samuel 15:22 niv

David said to Ittai, "Go ahead, march on." So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and the families that were with him.

2 Samuel 15:22 esv

And David said to Ittai, "Go then, pass on." So Ittai the Gittite passed on with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.

2 Samuel 15:22 nlt

David replied, "All right, come with us." So Ittai and all his men and their families went along.

2 Samuel 15 verses

2 Samuel 15 22 Meaning

This verse describes King David's instruction to Ittai the Gittite to leave Jerusalem with him during Absalom's rebellion and Ittai's immediate and comprehensive obedience. Ittai, a Philistine foreigner, demonstrated profound loyalty by departing with his entire contingent, including his dependents, effectively choosing to cast his lot with the fleeing king rather than remain in the perceived safety of Jerusalem under the usurper, Absalom. It signifies an act of unwavering allegiance in the face of grave uncertainty and danger.

2 Samuel 15 22 Context

The verse occurs during a desperate phase of King David's reign. His son Absalom has instigated a full-blown rebellion, swaying much of Israel against his father and forcing David to flee Jerusalem to save the city from bloodshed and to preserve his own life. David is leaving the city via the Kidron Valley, and as he departs, various groups, including his personal guard and foreign mercenaries, must choose their allegiance. This specific verse highlights Ittai the Gittite's response immediately after David has explicitly offered him the option to remain in Jerusalem, acknowledging Ittai's foreign status and releasing him from obligation (2 Sam 15:19-21).

2 Samuel 15 22 Word analysis

• So David said to Ittai, "Go, pass over."
  • "David": The legitimate, though temporarily deposed, king of Israel. His authority is recognized by the loyal few, even in weakness.
  • "said": Indicates a direct command, despite the dire circumstances, David is still giving orders.
  • "to Ittai": Specifically singled out Ittai, reflecting the recent interaction where David had questioned Ittai's decision to accompany him (2 Sam 15:19).
  • "Go," (לֵךְ, lek): An imperative verb, emphasizing the immediacy and necessity of movement.
  • "pass over." (עָבַר, ’āḇar): This Hebrew verb implies crossing a boundary, a transition from one place to another. Here, it signifies crossing the Kidron Valley and symbolically leaving behind Jerusalem's comfort and protection for the uncertainty of exile. It can denote a significant, often perilous, journey. The repetition of the root within the verse (verb, then action) stresses the completion of the command.
• So Ittai the Gittite passed over with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.
  • "So Ittai the Gittite": This phrasing emphasizes the direct and immediate obedience to David's command. "Gittite" (haggittî) identifies Ittai as originating from Gath, a major Philistine city and historical enemy of Israel. His ethnicity profoundly highlights his unexpected and unwavering loyalty to David, transcending national and cultural divides. His allegiance is deeply personal.
  • "passed over" (וַיַּעֲבֹר, wa-ya‘abor): The action precisely matches David's command, confirming full and immediate compliance.
  • "with all his men": Indicates Ittai commanded a loyal and unified military contingent, fully committed to David's cause. Their solidarity reinforced Ittai's personal pledge.
  • "and all the little ones" (וְכָל־הַטַּף, wě·ḵāl·haṭ·ṭap): This critical detail refers to the entire company including women, children, and all accompanying non-combatants/dependents. This signifies a total commitment, implying Ittai did not just bring his fighting force but uprooted his entire household and community for David's sake. It shows a profound level of identification with David's fate, risking everything for the king. This level of commitment from a foreigner is highly exceptional.

2 Samuel 15 22 Bonus section

• Christological Foreshadowing: Just as David was a king rejected by his own people and fled Jerusalem, crossing the Kidron Valley, Jesus Christ, the Son of David, also crossed the Kidron Valley (John 18:1) to the Garden of Gethsemane just before His betrayal and arrest. Ittai's unexpected loyalty from a foreigner can be seen as a foreshadowing of the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant family of God through faith in Christ.
• A Contrast to Disloyalty: Ittai's complete devotion stands in stark contrast to the betrayal by Absalom and the vacillating loyalty of many Israelites. It highlights that God can raise up faithful adherents from surprising backgrounds when even "insiders" waver.
• Trust and Risk: Ittai’s action was a tremendous act of faith and risk. He chose a perilous, uncertain future with a fleeing king over the apparent stability offered by the usurper in the capital, demonstrating profound trust in David and perhaps, through David, in God’s ultimate providence.

2 Samuel 15 22 Commentary

2 Samuel 15:22 vividly portrays an exemplary act of loyalty in a time of profound national and personal crisis. King David, dispossessed and fleeing from his rebellious son Absalom, simply commands Ittai the Gittite to "pass over" the Kidron Valley, a journey into the uncertain path of exile. Ittai, a Philistine who chose to serve David, does so without hesitation. His obedience is immediate and complete: he not only leads his professional soldiers but also brings his entire "little ones," a term encompassing women, children, and non-combatant dependents. This detail powerfully illustrates the depth of his allegiance, indicating that his loyalty was not merely a mercenary contract but a full, personal commitment of his household and future to David's cause. In contrast to many of David's own people who deserted him, Ittai's steadfastness underscores that genuine fidelity can arise from unexpected quarters and is ultimately founded on a personal, covenantal bond rather than merely tribal or national affiliation. His action serves as a poignant reminder that even in the darkest valleys, the truly devoted remain.