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.
Parallel translations
- WEB Whereas you came but yesterday, should I today make you go up and down with us, since I go where I may? Return, and take back your brothers. Mercy and truth be with you.”
- BSB 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.”
- NKJV In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you.”
- NASB You came only yesterday, so should I make you wander with us today, while I go wherever I go? Return and take your brothers back; mercy and truth be with you.”
- NLT You arrived only recently, and should I force you today to wander with us? I don’t even know where we will go. Go on back and take your kinsmen with you, and may the Lord show you his unfailing love and faithfulness.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David tells Ittai to take his men back and wishes him mercy and truth. He releases the newcomer from any obligation to follow.
Overview
David reasons that Ittai, having only just joined him, should not be dragged into uncertain wandering, and he blesses him with "mercy and truth." The king's generosity amid his own distress reveals his character. The covenant words of mercy and truth point ahead to the steadfast love and faithfulness fully embodied in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- 1 Sam 23:13Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.
- 2 Sam 2:6And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
- Heb 11:37–38They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
- John 1:17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
- Amos 8:12And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
- 2 Tim 1:16–18The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
- Ps 61:7He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
- Ps 25:10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
- Ps 89:14Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
- Ps 59:15Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
- Ps 57:3He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
- Prov 14:22Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
- Ps 85:10Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
- Ps 56:8Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 15:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.