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.”
Parallel translations
- KJV 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.
- 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, who were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went wherever they could go. Saul was told that David was escaped from Keilah; and he gave up going there.
- 2 Sam 2:6Now may Yahweh show loving kindness and truth to you. I also will reward you for this kindness, because you have done this thing.
- Heb 11:37–38They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated
- John 1:17For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
- Amos 8:12They will wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they will run back and forth to seek Yahweh’s word, and will not find it.
- 2 Tim 1:16–18May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,
- Ps 61:7He shall be enthroned in God’s presence forever. Appoint your loving kindness and truth, that they may preserve him.
- Ps 25:10All the paths of Yahweh are loving kindness and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
- Ps 89:14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.
- Ps 59:15They shall wander up and down for food, and wait all night if they aren’t satisfied.
- Ps 57:3He will send from heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. Selah. God will send out his loving kindness and his truth.
- Prov 14:22Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
- Ps 85:10Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
- Ps 56:8You count my wanderings. You put my tears into your bottle. Aren’t they in your book?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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.