2 Samuel 15:20

¹⁸ 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.

¹⁹ Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.

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.

²¹ And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

²² 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.

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, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.
Read in context
2 Samuel 2:6
And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
Read in context
Hebrews 11:37–38
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Read in context
John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Read in context
Psalms 57:3
He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
Read in context
Psalms 59:15
Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
Read in context
Amos 8:12
And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
Read in context
Psalms 85:10
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Read in context