2 Samuel 15:18-23 – A Recent Convert
Ittai is what you could call a recent convert. He isn’t an Israelite. Rather he’s from the Philistine city of Gath. That’s the same city as Goliath. He’s a Philistine. But he comes to trust in the true God. Up to this point, he and his men are presumably hired soldiers. It’s one thing to be a hired soldier, or otherwise committed to David when he is king. But what about now he’s on the run? David gives him the chance to leave. Is David saying that he doesn’t want Ittai to go with him? No! But he doesn’t want anyone serving him under compulsion. If Ittai follows David, David wants it to be from the heart. Does Jesus want any less from us? Do we honour him if we serve him merely out of duty? And so just like Naomi with her daughters-in-law Orpah and Ruth, David gives Ittai the chance to go home. But just like Ruth, Ittai will stick with David – and with David’s God. Ittai is not going to abandon the LORD’s anointed even if it means death. As Ittai talks about life and death, it’s not just flowery words. A battle is looming where people will die. Ittai is saying that even if being loyal to David means facing death, he won’t change his mind.
Ittai’s faith is impressive in and of itself. But it’s even more impressive when compared to those around him. Particularly those Israelites who have so easily switched allegiance from David to Absalom.
Ittai decides to follow David. But it’s not just a decision for himself. We read in verse 22 that all his men follow him – and all the little ones who were with him. Whatever Ittai decides, it’s not just a decision for himself. If he goes home to his Philistine city – his children will go with him. But if he chooses to risk his life and identify with God’s true king who the people have rejected, his children will follow him in that instead. Parents who don’t raise their children in the faith aren’t being neutral. They’re making a decision not to identify with God’s true king, and that decision will impact their family.
Questions
- Why is Ittai’s loyalty especially impressive?
- How does it affect his family?
Prayer Points
- Pray for Christian parents as they raise their children in the Lord.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.