2 Samuel 15:19

“Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, etc.] Who was over the band of Gittites, the six hundred men, (<101522>2 Samuel 15:22); wherefore goest thou also with us? one should think the king should not have discouraged any from joining and following him, when his numbers were not very large, and the in such fear on account of Absalom: return to this place; to Jerusalem, where his station was: and abide with the king; with Absalom, who set himself up for king, and whom the people perhaps had proclaimed as such in Hebron, where the conspiracy began: for thou [art] a stranger, and also an exile; not a native of Israel, but of another nation, and at a distance from it, and therefore not…”

“Thy place - To Jerusalem, where thy settled abode now is. The king - With Absalom who is now made king. An exile - Not much concerned in our affairs, and therefore not fit to be involved in our troubles. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 15:20”

“15:19 Ittai, a Philistine from Gath, was associated with Gibeah in Benjamin (23:29; 1 Chr 11:31); the Philistines had established a garrison in Gibeah at the beginning of Saul’s career (1 Sam 10:5; 13:3). • David was stepping aside for King Absalom, who had successfully swayed the loyalty of Israel.”

“Ittai: Sa2 18:2; Rut 1:11-13 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 15:20”

“A military commander named Ittai, who had emigrated from Gath and come over to David not long before, also accompanied the king from the city. It is evident from Sa2 18:2, where Ittai is said to have commanded a third part of the army sent against Absalom, and to have been placed on an equality with Joab and Abishai the most experienced generals, that Ittai was a Philistian general who had entered David's service. The reason for his going over to David is not known. According to Sa2 15:22 of this chapter, Ittai did not come alone, but brought all his family with him (taph: the little ones). The opinion expressed by Thenius, that he had come to Jerusalem as a hostage, is merely founded upon a…”