2Sa 15:20 | KingComments | STEP | From the strangers who follow David, Ittai, the Gittite, is specially highlighted. This is done by letting us hear a conversation between the king and Ittai. What Ittai says is an example for us. Ittai is a stranger, he is not an Israelite, yet he chooses to be with David. The question also comes to us: ‘Who do you belong to? Do you belong to those who have the power today, or to Him Who is rejected?’ As often happens in crisis situations, the people who are on the right side come to the surface. David asks Ittai why he is going with him. The answer Ittai gives will be the representation of what is present in the hearts of the many. It resembles what the Lord Jesus asks of His twelve followers, when many others of His disciples no longer follow Him: “You do not want to go away also, do you?” The answer comes from Peter’s mouth: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life” ( ). Thus each of us is asked why we want to stay with the Lord. What is our answer? In what David says in to Ittai, it is as if we hear Naomi speak to her daughters-in-law Orpah and Ruth. Naomi wants to prevent her daughters-in-law from following her on her way back to Bethlehem ( ). In what Ittai answers the king in , it is as if we hear Ruth’s answer to her mother-in-law ( ). He chooses to follow David without hesitation. He is like a young convert with a burning heart for the Lord Jesus. He wants to be where David is. This is not only true for him, but also for all who belong to him. He takes them all with him, to follow David. The Lord Jesus said: “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also” ( ). Whoever says he serves the Lord Jesus will show it by following Him and being with Him. This means sharing on earth in His rejection and later sharing in His glorification. If this really lives for us, we will wish it for all who belong to us, our children and family members.

‏ 2 Samuel 15:20

Ittai

From the strangers who follow David, Ittai, the Gittite, is specially highlighted. This is done by letting us hear a conversation between the king and Ittai. What Ittai says is an example for us. Ittai is a stranger, he is not an Israelite, yet he chooses to be with David. The question also comes to us: ‘Who do you belong to? Do you belong to those who have the power today, or to Him Who is rejected?’

As often happens in crisis situations, the people who are on the right side come to the surface. David asks Ittai why he is going with him. The answer Ittai gives will be the representation of what is present in the hearts of the many. It resembles what the Lord Jesus asks of His twelve followers, when many others of His disciples no longer follow Him: “You do not want to go away also, do you?” The answer comes from Peter’s mouth: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life” (Jn 6:67-68). Thus each of us is asked why we want to stay with the Lord. What is our answer?

In what David says in 2Sam 15:20 to Ittai, it is as if we hear Naomi speak to her daughters-in-law Orpah and Ruth. Naomi wants to prevent her daughters-in-law from following her on her way back to Bethlehem (Rth 1:7-15). In what Ittai answers the king in 2Sam 15:21, it is as if we hear Ruth’s answer to her mother-in-law (Rth 1:16-17). He chooses to follow David without hesitation. He is like a young convert with a burning heart for the Lord Jesus. He wants to be where David is. This is not only true for him, but also for all who belong to him. He takes them all with him, to follow David.

The Lord Jesus said: “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also” (Jn 12:26). Whoever says he serves the Lord Jesus will show it by following Him and being with Him. This means sharing on earth in His rejection and later sharing in His glorification. If this really lives for us, we will wish it for all who belong to us, our children and family members.