2 Samuel 15:20

¹⁸ and all his servants marched past him—all the Cherethites and Pelethites, and six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath.

¹⁹ Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland.

In fact, you arrived only yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.”

²¹ But Ittai answered the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be!”

²² “March on then,” said David to Ittai. So Ittai the Gittite marched past with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: In fact, you arrived only yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.”
KJV: Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.
WEB: Whereas you came but yesterday, should I today make you go up and down with us, since I go where I may? Return, and take back your brothers. Mercy and truth be with you.”
ASV: Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us, seeing I go whither I may? return thou, and take back thy brethren; mercy and truth be with thee.
DARBY: Thou didst come yesterday, and should I this day make thee go up and down with us, seeing I go whither I can? Return and take back thy brethren. Mercy and truth be with thee!
BLB: [Only] yesterday you arrived, and today should I make you wander up and down with us, since I go on where I know not? Turn back and take back your brothers with you.” [May the LORD show you] loving devotion and faithfulness.

ÅB: Igår kom du, og idag skulle jeg la deg vanke om med oss, jeg som ikke vet hvor min vei kan falle. Vend tilbake og før dine brødre tilbake med deg, og Guds miskunnhet og trofasthet være med dere!
OTB: Du kom bare i går, og skal jeg i dag få deg til å vandre med oss, siden jeg ikke engang vet hvor jeg går? Vend tilbake, og ta med dine brødre. Barmhjertighet og sannhet være med deg."
B1930: Igår kom du, og idag skulde jeg la dig vanke om med oss, jeg som ikke vet hvor min vei kan falle. Vend tilbake og før dine brødre tilbake med dig, og Guds miskunnhet og trofasthet være med eder!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

1 Samuel 23:13
Then David and his men, about six hundred strong, set out and departed from Keilah, moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he declined to go forth.
Read in context
2 Samuel 2:6
Now may the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness, and I will also show you the same favor because you have done this.
Read in context
Hebrews 11:37–38
They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.
Read in context
John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Read in context
Psalms 57:3
He reaches down from heaven and saves me; He rebukes those who trample me. Selah God sends forth His loving devotion and His truth.
Read in context
Psalms 59:15
They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied.
Read in context
Amos 8:12
People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.
Read in context
Psalms 85:10
Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed.
Read in context