2 Samuel 15:13-23 - David Flees From Jerusalem

¹³ Then a messenger arrived to inform David, "The loyalties of the men of Israel have shifted to Absalom."

¹⁴ So David told all of his staff who were with him in Jerusalem, "Let's get up and get out of here! Otherwise, none of us will escape from Absalom. Hurry, or he'll overtake us quickly, bring disaster on all of us, and execute the inhabitants of the city!"

¹⁵ "Look!" the king's staff replied. "Your servants will do whatever the king chooses." ¹⁶ So the king left, taking his entire household with him except for ten mistresses, who were to keep the palace in order. ¹⁷ The king left, along with all of his people with him, and they paused at the last house. ¹⁸ All of his staff were going on ahead of him that is, all of the special forces and mercenaries, all of the Gittites, and 600 men who had come to serve him from Gath, went on ahead of the king.

¹⁹ Then the king suggested to Ittai the Gittite, "Why should you have to go with us? Return and stay with the new king, since you're a foreigner and exile. Stay where you want to stay. ²⁰ It seems only yesterday that you arrived, so should I make you wander around with us while I go wherever I can? Go back, and take your brothers with you. May gracious love and truth accompany you!"

²¹ "As the LORD lives," Ittai answered in reply, "and as your majesty the king lives, wherever your majesty my king may be whether living or dying that's where your servant will be!"

²² So David replied, "Come along, then!" So Ittai the Gittite went along also, accompanied by all of his men and all of his little ones. ²³ With all of the people in the territory crying loudly, everybody passed over the Kidron brook, along with the king. Then everyone headed out toward the road that leads to the wilderness.