Why is This Here?
is this here?” Of course, the funda- mental answer to that question is found in Paul’s familiar words to Timothy that all Scripture is breathed out by God for the purpose of train- ing believers in righteousness and equipping them for good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17). But sometimes it is in- teresting to consider why a Biblical - latedly, why they tell the story in the way they do. It is certainly important not to place our own conjecture onto the understanding or application of Scripture, but these types of ques- tions can be helpful in forcing us to think through details of a passage we otherwise may miss. A story that may be quickly over- looked, due to its location within an action-packed section of Scripture, is King David’s conversation with Ittai the Gittite in 2 Samuel 15. News of Absalom’s conspiracy had just come Jerusalem. The chaos and intensity of the moment is highlighted in David’s
H
ave you ever wondered, after reading a particular passage of Scripture, “Why
By Emily Woodard, Women’s Ministries Spiritual Life Chair
us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us…” (2 Sam. 15:14). But as David hurries, the narrative slows down, the au- thor pausing the action to include the dialogue between the King and a soldier. As all his household, servants, and soldiers march past him, David stops Ittai to ask why he is coming with them. From David’s perspective, Ittai owes him no loyalty: he is a foreigner and he had only recently arrived in Jerusalem. that his own future is uncertain; he is leaving to wander he knows not where. stay in the city and he blesses him: “May the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you” (2 Sam. 15:20). In Ittai’s reply to David he also includes the this phrase comes here from the mouth of a Philistine. And not only does Ittai swear “as the LORD lives,” but also by the life of his “lord the king.” While Da- vid had referred to the treasonous Absalom as “the king,” Ittai calls David “my lord the king” not just once, but twice. Ittai acknowledges both the LORD and the LORD’s anointed, and he goes on to pledge his loyalty to David “whether but Ittai seemingly follows David’s realistic assessment of the situation in as- suming that what may come is much more likely to be death. Ittai is later given command of one-third of David’s army. Perhaps the an- swer to the question “why is this here?” regarding this passage is to introduce Ittai to the reader and to illustrate his loyalty to David (highlighted all the more in contrast to that of Absalom, David’s own son). Yet a close look at the pas- sage and an appreciation for both the details of the story and the way it is told can here bear fruit. The book of 2 Samuel is primarily about David, and these few verses highlight a certain soldier, but through the conversation of David and Ittai, the reader of 2 Samuel learns not just about these two men, but also something more about their God. The story of Ittai teaches us that God never abandons his people, and sometimes he sends help from the most unexpected places. Ittai hailed, after all, from Gath of the Philistines, the enemies of Israel. We can’t be sure what brought Ittai to Jerusalem at exactly that time, but it is clear that God provided him as a strength and support for Da- for David after Absalom’s rebellion begins. It’s possible he was the reminder of God’s character that led to David’s writing of his son Absalom.” Ittai was proof to David that when he cries out to God, God will answer him from his holy hill. Though it is God who is the lifter of heads, sometimes he uses people like Ittai to do it (Ps. 3:3-4). Ittai’s faith in the God of Israel resulted in his faithfulness to the King of Israel which was a gift to that king in a very dark hour. Thanks be to God, the lifter of our heads, that he is building a church with people from every tribe and nation, people like Ittai the Gittite (Rev. 5:9).
20 The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Women’s Ministries
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