13 And he who is declaring tidings cometh in unto David, saying, 'The heart of the men of Israel hath been after Absalom.' 14 And David saith to all his servants who 'are' with him in Jerusalem, 'Rise, and we flee, for we have no escape from the face of Absalom; haste to go, lest he hasten, and have overtaken us, and forced on us evil, and smitten the city by the mouth of the sword.' 15 And the servants of the king say unto the king, 'According to all that my lord the king chooseth—lo, thy servants 'do'.' 16 And the king goeth out, and all his household at his feet, and the king leaveth ten women—concubines—to keep the house. 17 And the king goeth out, and all the people at his feet, and they stand still at the farthest off house. 18 And all his servants are passing on at his side, and all the Cherethite, and all the Pelethite, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came at his feet from Gath, are passing on at the front of the king. 19 And the king saith unto Ittai the Gittite, 'Why dost thou go—thou also—with us? turn back—and abide with the king, for thou 'art' a stranger, and also an exile thou—to thy place. 20 Yesterday 'is' thy coming in, and to-day I move thee to go with us, and I am going on that which I am going!—turn back, and take back thy brethren with thee,—kindness and truth.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:13-20
Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:13-23
(Read 2 Samuel 15:13-23)
David determined to quit Jerusalem. He took this resolve, as a penitent submitting to the rod. Before unrighteous Absalom he could justify himself, and stand out; but before the righteous God he must condemn himself, and yield to his judgments. Thus he accepts the punishment of his sin. And good men, when they themselves suffer, are anxious that others should not be led to suffer with them. He compelled none; those whose hearts were with Absalom, to Absalom let them go, and so shall their doom be. Thus Christ enlists none but willing followers. David cannot bear to think that Ittai, a stranger and an exile, a proselyte and a new convert, who ought to be encouraged and made easy, should meet with hard usage. But such value has Ittai for David's wisdom and goodness, that he will not leave him. He is a friend indeed, who loves at all times, and will adhere to us in adversity. Let us cleave to the Son of David, with full purpose of heart, and neither life nor death shall separate us from his love.