David Flees from Jerusalem

13 Then the messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts[fn] of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.” 14 Then David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, “Get up and let us flee, for there will be no escape for us from Absalom! Hurry to go, otherwise he will come quickly and overtake us! And he will bring disaster on us and evil! He will attack the city with the edge of the sword!” 15 Then the servants of the king said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king chooses, your servants are ready to act!”[fn] 16 The king went out with[fn] all his household following him,[fn] but the king left behind ten concubines to look after the house. 17 So the king went out with[fn] all the people following him,[fn] and they stopped at the last house.[fn] 18 All his servants were passing by him:[fn] all of the Kerethites and all of the Pelethites and all of the Gittites—six hundred men who had followed him[fn] from Gath—passing before the king.[fn] 19 The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also coming with us? Return and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner; moreover, you are an exile. You are far from your place.[fn] 20 Yesterday when you came and today,[fn] I have caused you to wander by going with us. Now I am going to where I am going; return and let your brothers return. May loyal love and faithfulness be with you.” 21 But Ittai answered the king and said, “As Yahweh lives[fn] and my lord the king lives,[fn] surely in the place wherever my lord the king shall be, if for death or if for life, surely there your servant will be.” 22 Then David said to Ittai, “Go and pass over.” So Ittai the Gittite passed over and all his men and all of the little children who were with him. 23 All of the land was weeping with a loud voice as all the people were passing by and the king was crossing through the Wadi Kidron, and all the people were passing on the road to the wilderness.[fn]