2 Samuel 15:22
ESV
And David said to Ittai, "Go then, pass on." So Ittai the Gittite passed on with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.
NIV
David said to Ittai, "Go ahead, march on." So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and the families that were with him.
NASB
Then David said to Ittai, 'Go and cross over the brook Kidron.' So Ittai the Gittite crossed over with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.
CSB
"March on," David replied to Ittai. So Ittai of Gath marched past with all his men and the dependents who were with him.
NLT
David replied, 'All right, come with us.' So Ittai and all his men and their families went along.
KJV
And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
NKJV
So David said to Ittai, “Go, and cross over.” Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over.
What does 2 Samuel 15:22 mean?
David's relationship with the Philistines is complicated. He first came to fame by killing Goliath, a Philistine giant. His reputation grew as he led Israelite armies in battles against their mortal enemies. To win the hand of his first wife, he killed two hundred Philistines and brought back physical proof (1 Samuel 17—18).But when King Saul found him a threat and tried to kill him, David took his men and their families in search of safety. They found it under the protection of Achish, the king of the Philistine city of Gath (1 Samuel 27). Once Saul died and David became king, he went back to fighting Philistines and even conquered Gath (1 Chronicles 18:1).
Now, David's son Absalom is leading a large delegation of Israelites to Jerusalem. His campaign to win the hearts of the people away from David and toward himself was successful, and he's coming to take the city and the throne (2 Samuel 15:13).
As David gathers his people to flee the city, three military units of Philistines join him. Two make up his royal guard. One is a new addition to his fighting force. Six hundred soldiers and their families have followed their leader, Ittai, from Gath to serve David as mercenaries. David doesn't expect their loyalty. They've only just arrived. He tells Ittai to stay, to fight for the king of Israel, not the disgraced man David. Ittai refuses. He pledges his life to David's defense (2 Samuel 15:18–21).
David is standing by the gate of Jerusalem, watching people pass out of the city. He once led them as their king. Now, he must protect them from his murderous son and the bulk of Israel's army. Ittai and his men will see it done (2 Samuel 18).
