2 Samuel 15:20
ESV
You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, since I go I know not where? Go back and take your brothers with you, and may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you."
NIV
You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your people with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness."
NASB
You came only yesterday, so should I make you wander with us today, while I go wherever I go? Return and take your brothers back; mercy and truth be with you.'
CSB
Besides, you only arrived yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I go wherever I can? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness."
NLT
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. '
KJV
Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.
NKJV
In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you.”
What does 2 Samuel 15:20 mean?
History repeatedly shows that enemies in one war can become allies in the next. The soldiers you fight against in one battle may become lifelong friends when peace is called. In David's early years, he built his reputation on killing Philistines (1 Samuel 18). When King Saul wanted him dead and he had 600 men and their families to protect, David found that protection with Achish, the Philistine king of Gath (1 Samuel 27). Once he became king, the Philistines attacked, and David conquered them and Gath (1 Chronicles 18:1).We don't know how Ittai, his 600 fighting men, and their families came to work for David, but it was very recent. It was almost certainly not literally the day propr. The point is that Ittai hasn't been there long enough for David to expect any kind of loyalty. David's son Absalom is marching to Jerusalem. David must take his servants and flee or risk a war he's not prepared for in the city he loves (2 Samuel 15:13–19). Ittai and his people don't deserve to have to pack up again so soon.
So, David urges Ittai to stay, to be loyal to the king of Israel, not the man David. He wishes the Philistines God's "steadfast love": hesed. Absalom's betrayal is part of God's judgment on David for sinning against Uriah (2 Samuel 12:11). David doesn't know if he's going to survive this fight. Absalom would certainly welcome 600 fighters. And, as he takes Jerusalem, he'll have the money to pay for them.
Ittai takes an oath on the name of the same God by which David offers a blessing (2 Samuel 15:21). David accepts his vow. Ittai makes good on his promise. He joins David's nephews, Joab and Abishai, as commanders of what's left of David's army. They defeat Absalom and his army and make sure David remains king (2 Samuel 18).
