2 Samuel 15:21

Faithfulness and loyalty Friendship Obedience The stranger and outcast

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.

²⁰ 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.”

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.

²³ Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly as all the people passed by. And as the king crossed the Kidron Valley, all the people also passed toward the way of the wilderness.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: 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!”
KJV: 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.
WEB: Ittai answered the king and said, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king is, whether for death or for life, your servant will be there also.”
ASV: And Ittai answered the king, and said, As Jehovah liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, even there also will thy servant be.
DARBY: And Ittai answered the king and said, [As] Jehovah 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.
BLB: And Ittai answered the king and said, “[As] YHWH lives, and [as] my lord the king lives, surely if in whatever place where my lord the king shall be there, whether in death or in life, even there also your servant will be.”

ÅB: Men Ittai svarte kongen og sa: Så sant Herren lever, og så sant min herre kongen lever: Der hvor min herre kongen er, enten det bærer til død eller til liv, der og intet annet sted vil din tjener være.
OTB: Men Ittai svarte kongen og sa, "Så sant Herren lever, og så sant min herre kongen lever, sannelig, hvor enn min herre kongen måtte være, enten for død eller for liv, der vil din tjener være."
B1930: Men Ittai svarte kongen og sa: Så sant Herren lever, og så sant min herre kongen lever: Der hvor min herre kongen er, enten det bærer til død eller til liv, der og intet annet sted vil din tjener være.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Ruth 1:16–17
But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
Read in context
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Read in context
2 Kings 4:30
And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.
Read in context
Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
Read in context
Acts 11:23
When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.
Read in context
Acts 21:13
Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Read in context
2 Kings 2:6
And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.
Read in context
2 Kings 2:4
And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.
Read in context