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2 Samuel 15:19–22

Ittai the Gittite

Three of David's mighty men with spear and shields at sunset
Ittai and his men

When rebellion rose against King David and he fled Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:14), a soldier from Gath refused to leave him.

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.— 2 Samuel 15:21 (KJV)

A Stranger and an Exile

David told Ittai to go back: "thou art a stranger, and also an exile... thou camest but yesterday" (2 Samuel 15:19–20). Ittai answered with the oath above. So "Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him" (2 Samuel 15:22). Six hundred men from Gath had come after David (2 Samuel 15:18).

Commander of a Third of the Army

And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite.— 2 Samuel 18:2 (KJV)

Is Ittai the Gittite in the List of Mighty Men?

Not by that title. The Thirty include "Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin" (2 Samuel 23:29), a Benjamite, which is a different description from Ittai of Gath. See the full list.

David's Mighty Men Coloring Book cover
David's Mighty Men Coloring Book

41 bold coloring pages of King David's warriors, straight from 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11. Ages 5–99+. Paperback, $9.99. See inside the book.

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From the Psalms

Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.— Psalm 101:6 (KJV)

Questions About David's Mighty Men

Who was Ittai the Gittite?

A man of Gath who followed David with six hundred men when David fled Jerusalem, swore to stay with him in death or life (2 Samuel 15:18–22), and commanded a third of David's army (2 Samuel 18:2).

Was Ittai the Gittite a giant?

Scripture does not say so. It calls him a Gittite, a man of Gath, but gives no description of his size.

What happened to Ittai the Gittite?

After the battle in the wood of Ephraim (2 Samuel 18:6), Scripture records nothing further about him.

King David Bible Stories

David the Shepherd BoyKeeping his father's sheepAnointed by Samuel1 Samuel 16The Lion and the Bear1 Samuel 17:34–37David and GoliathA sling and a stoneDavid and SaulThe harp and the spearDavid and JonathanA covenant of friendsDavid Spares SaulThe LORD's anointedDavid Becomes KingHebron, then JerusalemBringing the ArkDanced with all his mightThe Psalms of DavidThe shepherd king's songsGoliath of GathSix cubits and a spanGiants in the BibleAnakim, Rephaim, Og and GathKing David Coloring PagesColor the warriors of Scripture

Explore David's Mighty Men

The Full ListAll 37 mighty men by nameThe ThreeDavid's three mightiestThe ThirtyWho were the 30 mighty men?Cave of AdullamWhere the band beganJoabCommander of David's armyElhananTwo men, two recordsThe GaditesFaces like lions2 Samuel 23 vs 1 Chronicles 11How the two lists compareThe Giants of GathFour sons of the giant fellFAQQuestions answered from Scripture

Meet the Mighty Men

Josheb-basshebethAdino the Eznite, chief of the ThreeEleazar son of DodoHis hand clave unto the swordShammah son of AgeeHeld the lentil fieldStory: The Water from BethlehemThree of the thirty chief break through the Philistine camp (2 Samuel 23:13–17)AbishaiChief of the Three, 300 with his spearBenaiah son of JehoiadaA lion in a pit on a snowy dayAsahelLight of foot as a wild roeUriah the HittiteLoyal to the last

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