2 Samuel 15:19
ESV
Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home.
NIV
The king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland.
NASB
Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, 'Why should you go with us too? Return and stay with your king, since you are a foreigner and an exile as well; return to your own place.
CSB
The king said to Ittai of Gath, "Why are you also going with us? Go back and stay with the new king since you’re both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland.
NLT
Then the king turned and said to Ittai, a leader of the men from Gath, 'Why are you coming with us? Go on back to King Absalom, for you are a guest in Israel, a foreigner in exile.
KJV
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.
NKJV
Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place.
What does 2 Samuel 15:19 mean?
David stands near the gate of Jerusalem, reviewing and taking note of all who are fleeing from Absalom with him. The number includes the Cherethites and Pelethites: his personal bodyguard of loyal mercenary soldiers (2 Samuel 8:18; 15:18). It also includes 600 fighters from Gath.All three groups are apparently Philistines, but David has the most history with Gath. After David first ran from Saul, he tried to disguise himself and hide in Gath. When the king's servants recognized him, he acted like a madman until they threw him out (1 Samuel 21:10–15). After years of fleeing Saul—and proving his relationship with the Israelite king was well and truly broken—Achish, the king of Gath, agreed to be David's patron and even gave him a city. David fought Israel's enemies, destroying their towns, while letting Achish think he was warring against cities in Judah (1 Samuel 27). After Saul died and David became king, he fought and conquered Gath (1 Chronicles 18:1).
The text doesn't say how David met Ittai or how Ittai agreed to fight for David. It does say their relationship is relatively new. As Ittai and his men approach, David stops them. He expects no loyalty, and he likely doesn't have the money to pay Ittai's men. David knows Absalom's rebellion is God's judgment for his sin against Uriah (2 Samuel 12:11), and he doesn't know what's going to happen. He pushes Ittai to stay and serve Absalom (2 Samuel 15:20).
Ittai flatly refuses. He'd rather take his children into exile with David than go back on his word (2 Samuel 15:21–22). That decision saves David. With Ittai, Joab, and Abishai commanding David's remaining army, they're able to defeat Absalom and escort David back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 18).
