2 Samuel 15:22

Study note

Setting — David commands Ittai the Gittite to depart with his troops and dependents during the king’s flight from Jerusalem. The exchange occurs as David’s forces cross the Kidron Valley and head toward the wilderness.

The words — לֵ֣ךְ (lekh) means “go” or “come,” and וַ/עֲבֹ֑ר (va./'a.Vor) translates to “and pass on.” David uses these verbs to authorize Ittai’s departure while Ittai’s subsequent action uses וַֽ/יַּעֲבֹ֞ר (va/i.ya.'a.Vor), “and he passed on,” to record the execution of that command.

The thread — The verse continues the narrative of David’s exile and the testing of his loyalty (2 Samuel 15:13–23). It parallels the earlier pattern of foreign mercenaries remaining with the king despite the flight (2 Samuel 15:19–21).

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to observe how a sworn vow translates into immediate action. It presents loyalty not as a declaration but as a departure that carries dependents and troops into an unknown route.

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.