20. You arrived only recently, and should I force you today to wander with us? I don’t even know where we will go. Go on back and take your kinsmen with you, and may the lord show you his unfailing love and faithfulness.”
21. But Ittai said to the king, “I vow by the lord and by your own life that I will go wherever my lord the king goes, no matter what happens—whether it means life or death.”
22. David replied, “All right, come with us.” So Ittai and all his men and their families went along.
23. Everyone cried loudly as the king and his followers passed by. They crossed the Kidron Valley and then went out toward the wilderness.
24. Zadok and all the Levites also came along, carrying the Ark of the Covenant of God. They set down the Ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until everyone had passed out of the city.