1 Samuel 15:19-23 – Being loyal and faithfulness

It makes perfect sense for one to follow a person who is winning but not when a person is on the losing end. Yet we see Ittai the Gittite, who joined David recently, preferring to join him in his fugitive life. From 2 Samuel 15:20, we learned that this Ittai with his family had joined David recently and the king felt that he was not obliged to follow him in a life of uncertainty. So he told Ittai to take his brothers with him and go and serve Absalom, the de facto king. A lesser person would have seized the opportunity but not this Ittai. See how resolutely and assertedly he responded to the king in verse 21. He said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be.” He resolved to remain with David despite the latter’s serious disadvantage. On seeing his commitment and resolution, the king then permitted him, his men, and their families to depart Jerusalem with him. It was a sad sight as David and those who followed him made their way to the brook at Kidron heading toward the wilderness. The whole country was weeping as they watched the king depart.

The lesson we learn comes from Ittai the Gittite, who made a pledge of absolute loyalty to David. What we know about him makes his action amazing. Firstly, he decided to follow David and it was made willingly even though he knew the journey would be an arduous one, that could even mean death. Secondly, he was a foreigner, a Philistine to be precise and not an Israelite, and has no obligation to be committed. Thirdly, he was a mercenary who had just joined David recently. So what made him do what he did? The answer - loyalty and integrity. How he had responded to David in verse 21 also shows us that God was first in his life. He seemed convinced that David’s experience was allowed by God. So he was committed to walking with him even if it would mean death. That is the quality of faithfulness.

Emulating Ittai in his loyalty and faithfulness, let us pledge ours to King Jesus. As we do be mindful that Jesus has said, “Foxes have holes, birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Following Jesus may also be an arduous journey as well. And we are expected to take up our cross, deny ourselves and follow in His footsteps. We need the spirit and attitude of “Ittai.” Let us commit to our King Jesus with tenacity, loyalty, and faithfulness!