Topic
Ittai
16 passages cited, from 4 classic reference works.
These works date from 1884–1915 and are in the public domain. They reflect the Protestant scholarship of their time: their history, archaeology and dates can be out of date, and where they interpret, other traditions read the text differently. The verses are shown in the King James Version, the wording these works were written against.
The verses
The passages the works cite, those cited by more of them first.
- 2 Samuel 18:2Easton · Smith · ISBE · Nave A chief of David
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. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go…
- 2 Samuel 18:5Easton · Smith · Nave Supports David against Absalom
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
- 2 Samuel 18:12Easton · Smith · ISBE
And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the…
- 2 Samuel 23:29Easton · Smith · ISBE
Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
- 1 Samuel 23:13Easton · Smith
¶ Then 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.
- 1 Samuel 27:2Easton · Smith
And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
- 1 Samuel 30:9Easton · Smith
So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.
- 1 Samuel 30:10Easton · Smith
But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.
- 2 Samuel 15:19–22Easton · Nave Supports David against Absalom
¶ Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us?…
- 1 Chronicles 11:31ISBE · Nave A chief of David
Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
- 1 Samuel 30:19Smith
And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
- 1 Samuel 30:20Smith
And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David’s spoil.
Show 4 more
- 2 Samuel 15:11–22 ISBE
- 2 Samuel 15:18 Smith
- 2 Samuel 15:19 Smith
- 2 Samuel 18:4 ISBE
In the reference works
Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · 9 references
Near; timely; or, with the Lord. (1.) A Benjamite, one of David’s thirty heroes (2 Sam. 23:29).
(2.) A native of Gath, a Philistine, who had apparently the command of the six hundred heroes who formed David’s band during his wanderings (2 Sam. 15:19-22; comp. 1 Sam. 23:13; 27:2; 30:9, 10). He is afterwards with David at Mahanaim, holding in the army equal rank with Joab and Abishai (2 Sam. 18:2, 5, 12). He then passes from view.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884) · 12 references
- "Ittai the Gittite," i.e. the native of Gath, a Philistine in the army of King David. He appears only during the revolution of Absalom. (B.C. 1023.) We first discern him on the morning of David’s flight. The king urges him to return. (2 Samuel 15:18,19) Comp. 1Sam 23:13; 27:2; 30:9,10,19,20 But ittai is firm; he is the king’s slave, and wherever his master goes he will go. Accordingly he is allowed by David to proceed. When the army was numbered and organized by David at Mahanaim, Ittai again appears, now in command of a third part of the force. (2 Samuel 18:2,5,12)
- Son of Ribai, from Gibeah of Benjamin; one of the thirty heroes of David’s guard. (2 Samuel 23:29)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915) · 6 references
it'-a-i, it'-i ('ittay, 'ithay):
(1) A Gittite or native of Gath, one of David's chief captains and most faithful friends during the rebellion of Absalom (2Sa 15:11-22; 18:2,4,12). The narrative reveals David's chivalrous and unselfish spirit in time of trouble, as well as the most self-sacrificing loyalty on the part of Ittai. He seems to have but recently left his native city and joined David's army through personal attachment to the king. David rapidly promoted him. Hearing of Absalom's rebellion and approach to Jerusalem, he flees with David. The latter remonstrates, urges him to go back and join Absalom, as he is a foreigner and in exile. His interests are in the capital and with the king; there is no reason why he should be a fugitive and perhaps suffer the loss of everything; it would be better for him, with his band of men, to put himself and them at the service of Absalom, the new king. "Mercy and truth be with thee," says David in his magnanimity. Ittai, with a double oath, absolutely refuses to go back, but will stand by David until the last. Remonstrance being useless, the monarch orders him across the river, doubtless glad that he had such a doughty warrior and faithful friend by his side. On mustering his hosts to meet Absalom, David makes Ittai a chief captain with the intrepid Joab and Abishai. He doubtless did his part in the battle, and as nothing more is said of him it is possible that he fell in the fight.
(2) A Benjamite, one of David's 30 mighty men (2Sa 23:29; 1Ch 11:31, "Ithai").
J. J. Reeve
In the topical indexes
Nave's Topical Bible (1896) · 5 references, grouped by sub-topic
- → A chief of David 2Sa 18:2; 1Ch 11:31
- → Supports David against Absalom 2Sa 15:19-22; 18:2,5
Texts: Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897); Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884); International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915); Nave's Topical Bible (1896), from the CrossWire SWORD modules (public domain). Verse references were parsed from the works' own markup and checked against the KJV verse list.