2 Samuel 15:20

In fact, you arrived only yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — David speaks to Ittai the Gittite during his flight from Jerusalem, urging the foreign mercenary commander to return to the new king rather than accompany him into exile.

The words — David notes Ittai’s recent arrival with תְּמ֣וֹל (te.Mol, “yesterday”) and questions whether he should אֲנִֽיעֲ/ךָ֤ ('a.no.'a./kha, “make you wander”) alongside him today.

The thread — The dismissal blessing “May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness” mirrors David’s earlier covenant language in 2 Samuel 2:6, while his stated uncertainty about his destination aligns with the repeated relocations in 1 Samuel 23:13.

Why it lands — The text records David’s pragmatic refusal to burden a recent arrival with his flight and his formal dismissal of the commander. It asks a reader to observe how political exile tests loyalty and how leaders manage the departure of those whose allegiance is not yet fixed.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

תְּמ֣וֹל׀te.Mol[was] yesterday בּוֹאֶ֗ךָbo.'E./khacoming/ you וְהַיּ֞וֹםve./hai./Yomand/ this/ day אֲנִֽיעֲךָ֤'a.no.'a./khawill I make wander?/ you עִמָּ֙נוּ֙'i.Ma./nuwith/ us לָלֶ֔כֶתla./Le.khetto/ go וַאֲנִ֣יva./'a.Niand/ I הוֹלֵ֔ךְho.Lekh[am] going עַ֥ל'alto אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-where אֲנִ֖י'a.NiI הוֹלֵ֑ךְho.Lekh[am] going שׁ֣וּבshuvreturn וְהָשֵׁ֧בve./ha.Shevand/ take back אֶת־'et-<obj.>אַחֶ֛יךָ'a.Chei./khabrothers/ your עִמָּ֖ךְ'i.Ma/kh[be] with/ you חֶ֥סֶדChe.sedcovenant loyalty וֶאֱמֶֽת׃ve./'e.Metand/ truth

King James Version

Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.

Cross-references

1 Samuel 23:13 Then David and his men, about six hundred strong, set out and departed from Keilah, moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he declined to go forth.
2 Samuel 2:6 Now may the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness, and I will also show you the same favor because you have done this.
John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.
Psalms 25:10 All the LORD’s ways are loving and faithful to those who keep His covenant and His decrees.
Psalms 56:8 You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?
Psalms 57:3 He reaches down from heaven and saves me; He rebukes those who trample me. Selah God sends forth His loving devotion and His truth.
Psalms 59:15 They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied.
Psalms 61:7 May he sit enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness to guard him.
Psalms 85:10 Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed.