Bible Strands
2 Samuel 15:21
But Ittai answered the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be!”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Ittai the Gittite addresses King David while David is fleeing Jerusalem following Absalom’s coup. David has just instructed Ittai to return home, and Ittai responds with a sworn commitment to remain with him.
The words — The phrase חַי־ יְהוָ֗ה וְ/חֵי (chai- Yahweh ve./Chei) literally renders “by the life of Yahweh and by the life of,” serving as a formal oath formula. Ittai deploys this formula to bind himself to the king regardless of whether the outcome brings life or death.
The thread — The same oath structure and vow of companionship appear in Ruth 1:16 and 2 Kings 4:30, where both speakers swear to stay with a departing figure. Proverbs 17:17 supplies the underlying principle that friendship and brotherhood are proven in adversity.
Why it lands — The text records an unconditional pledge of presence and requires the reader to confront the cost of loyalty when retreat appears logical. It asks the reader to choose steadfast solidarity over self-preservation, independent of known outcomes.
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
King James Version
And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
Cross-references
- Ruth 1:16 But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
- Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
- 2 Kings 4:30 And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.
- 2 Kings 2:2 and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
- 2 Kings 2:4 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.
- 2 Kings 2:6 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.
- Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
- Acts 11:23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.
- Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
- 2 Corinthians 7:3 I do not say this to condemn you. I have said before that you so occupy our hearts that we live and die together with you.