2 Samuel 15:21

Faithfulness and loyalty Friendship Obedience The stranger and outcast

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.

²⁰ 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.

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.

²³ And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, 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
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Read in context
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Read in context
2 Kings 4:30
And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.
Read in context
Proverbs 18:24
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Read in context
Acts 11:23
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
Read in context
Acts 21:13
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Read in context
2 Kings 2:6
And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
Read in context
2 Kings 2:4
And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
Read in context