Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, &c. He seems to have been the commander of those six hundred men before mentioned. And the Jews make him the son of Achish, king of Gath, who, they say, out of religion and friendship came to David. Return to thy place To Jerusalem, where thy place of residence is. And abide with the king
With Absalom, king by usurpation. For thou art a stranger and an exile Not much concerned in our affairs, and therefore thou oughtest not to be involved in our troubles. And, as a stranger, thou mayest hope to be civilly treated by Absalom. Whereas thou camest but yesterday That is, very lately; should I this day make thee go up and down with us? Should I unsettle thee again so soon? Seeing I go whither I may Or, I know not whither, having now no certain dwelling-place. Take back thy brethren Thy countrymen the Gittites. Mercy and truth be with thee Since I am now unable to recompense thy kindness and fidelity to me, my hearty prayer to God is, that he would show to thee his mercy, in blessing thee with all sorts of blessings, and his faithfulness in making good all these promises which he hath made, not to Israelites only, but to all true-hearted proselytes, such as thou art.