Ittai
“With me, or near”
Summary
A Philistine warrior from Gath who demonstrated remarkable loyalty to King David during Absalom's rebellion.
☩Loyalty to David
Ittai was a Gittite (from the Philistine city of Gath) who had recently joined David's service with six hundred men. When Absalom's rebellion forced David to flee Jerusalem, David urged Ittai to return, noting he was a foreigner and recent arrival. Ittai's response is one of Scripture's finest expressions of loyalty: '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.'
☩Military Command
David rewarded Ittai's faithfulness by making him one of three commanders of his army in the battle against Absalom. He shared command equally with Joab and Abishai, remarkable for a Philistine foreigner. This appointment demonstrates David's recognition of proven loyalty over ethnic origin and shows the cosmopolitan character of David's kingdom.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ittai," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Ittai," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).