2 Samuel 15:21
ESV
But Ittai answered the king, "As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be."
NIV
But Ittai replied to the king, "As surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be."
NASB
But Ittai answered the king and said, 'As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there assuredly shall your servant be!'
CSB
But in response, Ittai vowed to the king, "As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means life or death, your servant will be there!"
NLT
But Ittai said to the king, 'I vow by the Lord and by your own life that I will go wherever my lord the king goes, no matter what happens — whether it means life or death.'
KJV
And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
NKJV
But Ittai answered the king and said, “ As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.”
What does 2 Samuel 15:21 mean?
Absalom, David's son, has waged a four-year shadow campaign to turn the people of Israel against their king. As men from around the nation entered Jerusalem in hopes David would hear their petitions, Absalom met them at the gate. He told them their cause was just, but David had no time and no intention of giving them justice. If only David would make Absalom judge, then the people's cries would be heard (2 Samuel 15:1–5). Once Absalom has enough supporters, he goes to Hebron, his hometown and a significant city in Judah. He declares himself king and marches his co-conspirators, the elders of Judah, and 200 unsuspecting residents of Jerusalem toward his father (2 Samuel 15:7–11).David is not only completely unprepared, but he doesn't want a fight in the city. He gathers his servants and tells them to pack up what they can and go. They stop at the city gate so David can regroup and determine who is still faithful to him (2 Samuel 15:13–17).
The Cherethites and Pelethites, two Philistine military units, don't surprise him: they're his royal guard. But when Ittai and his 600 Philistines from Gath, along with their families, reach him, David stops them.
Out of compassion, David releases them from any obligation to follow him into exile. David believes Absalom wouldn't harm Ittai and his men if they offer to serve him. But if they stay with David, Absalom may destroy them. David tells them to stay with God's lovingkindness (2 Samuel 15:19–20).
Ittai says no. Using a standard oath formula, he declares that he and his men will be with David whether that means life or death for them. The oath formula is a declaration to do something "if the Lord lives" and "if the king lives." Since both those conditions are true, Ittai and the Gittites will stand with David.
David accepts Ittai's pledge. His men soon join the larger army that remains faithful to David. David evenly splits the fighting men between Joab and his brother, David's long-time military commanders, and Ittai (2 Samuel 18:1–2).
