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.

2 SAMUEL 15:20KJV
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2 Samuel 15:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 15:20 mean?

2 Samuel 15:20 shows David telling Ittai the Gittite that, since Ittai had only just arrived (“camest but yesterday”), David does not expect him to follow along in his uncertain journey. David urges Ittai to return with his people, blessing him with “mercy and truth.”

David is speaking during his flight from Jerusalem as his son Absalom rebels. Ittai, a foreigner and recent arrival, has shown loyalty to David. David recognizes Ittai’s newness and the hardship ahead, so he gives Ittai permission to leave rather than demand loyalty. The verse highlights David’s fairness and kindness, even in crisis.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 15:20

  • “Mercy” is חֶסֶד (chesed), which often means steadfast love or loyal kindness. David’s blessing is not just a polite farewell but a deep wish for God’s faithful love to go with Ittai.
  • “Truth” is אֱמֶת (emet), meaning faithfulness or reliability. David’s blessing pairs God’s loyal love with trustworthiness, emphasizing a full, trustworthy blessing for Ittai’s future.

Why 2 Samuel 15:20 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that David forced loyalty from newcomers; instead, he respects Ittai’s freedom and situation.
  • The blessing of “mercy and truth” is significant, echoing key themes of God’s character in the Hebrew Bible and showing David’s spiritual concern for Ittai.
  • The verse sets up Ittai’s later choice to stay with David, making his loyalty even more meaningful in the story.

Where else these words appear

“yesterday” Hebrew H8543 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
  • Exodus 21:36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.
  • Ruth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

“down” Hebrew H5128 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
  • Job 28:4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.
  • Isaiah 29:9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

“truth” Hebrew H571 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 24:27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
  • Psalms 30:9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
  • Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.