Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



A messenger told David: Absalom has the hearts of the people of Israel. David told all his men who were with him in Jerusalem: We must run away quickly, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Leave right away or he will catch up to us and bring ruin upon us when he massacres the city. The king's servants told him: No matter what happens, we are Your Majesty's servants. read more.
The king left on foot. His whole household followed him. The king left ten concubines behind to take care of the palace. The king and his troops left the city on foot. They stopped at the city limits. All his mercenaries passed by him. The Cherethites, all the Pelethites, Ittai, and all six hundred men who had followed him from Gath marched past the king. The king asked Ittai from Gath: Why should you go with us? Go back, and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. In fact you came to us just yesterday. Should I make you wander around with me when I do not even know where I am going? Go back and take your countrymen with you. May Jehovah always show you kindness. Ittai answered: Your Majesty, I swear to you in the name of Jehovah that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death. David answered: That is fine. March on! So Ittai went on with all his men and their dependents. The people cried loudly as David's followers left. The king crossed Kidron Brook. His men followed him. They went to the wilderness. Zadok the priest was there. He had Levites there carrying the sacred Ark of God. They set it down and did not pick it up again until all the people left the city. The priest Abiathar was there too. The king said to Zadok: Take the Ark of the Covenant back to the city. If Jehovah is pleased with me he will let me come back to see it and the place where it stays. Let him do to me what he wishes if he is not pleased with me. He also said to Zadok: You are a seer, are you? Take your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan and go back to the city in peace. I will wait at the river crossings in the wilderness until you send news. Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark of the Covenant back into Jerusalem and stayed there. David went up the slope of the Mount of Olives. He was barefoot and crying. He covered his head to show his sorrow. Everyone with him was crying. They covered their heads too. Someone told David: Ahithophel is helping Absalom conspire against you! David said: Please Jehovah keep Ahithophel's plans from working! David reached the top of the Mount of Olives. He met Hushai the Archite at a place of worship. Hushai's robe was torn, and dust was on his head. David told him: You might slow me down if you come with me. Go back into the city and tell Absalom: Your Majesty, I am your servant. I will serve you just as I served your father in the past. Hushai, if you do that you can help me ruin Ahithophel's plans. Zadok and Abiathar the priests will be there with you. You can tell them everything you hear in the palace. Have them send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to tell me what you hear. David's advisor Hushai slipped back into Jerusalem. Absalom came into the city at the same time.

All his mercenaries passed by him. The Cherethites, all the Pelethites, Ittai, and all six hundred men who had followed him from Gath marched past the king. The king asked Ittai from Gath: Why should you go with us? Go back, and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. In fact you came to us just yesterday. Should I make you wander around with me when I do not even know where I am going? Go back and take your countrymen with you. May Jehovah always show you kindness. read more.
Ittai answered: Your Majesty, I swear to you in the name of Jehovah that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death. David answered: That is fine. March on! So Ittai went on with all his men and their dependents.

David assigned a third of the troops under Joab's command. He put another third under Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah. Then he placed the last third under Ittai from Gath. I am going into battle with you, the king said to the troops. Verse ConceptsFractions, One ThirdFighting TogetherDividing Into Three Groups

The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. All the troops heard him give the commanders this order regarding Absalom. Verse ConceptsParental LoveSoft TreatmentThe King's Orders

The king asked Ittai from Gath: Why should you go with us? Go back, and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. In fact you came to us just yesterday. Should I make you wander around with me when I do not even know where I am going? Go back and take your countrymen with you. May Jehovah always show you kindness. Ittai answered: Your Majesty, I swear to you in the name of Jehovah that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death. read more.
David answered: That is fine. March on! So Ittai went on with all his men and their dependents.