Easton's Bible Dictionary Near; timely; or, with the Lord. (1.) A Benjamite, one of David's thirty heroes (2 Samuel 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 Samuel 15:19-22; Comp. 1 Samuel 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 Samuel 18:2, 5, 12). He then passes from view. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ITTAI 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 (2 Samuel 15:11-22; 2 Samuel 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 (2 Samuel 23:29 1 Chronicles 11:31, "Ithai"). J. J. Reeve

Multi-Version Concordance Ittai (9 Occurrences) 2 Samuel 15:18 And all the people went on by his side; and all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites and all the men of Ittai of Gath, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, went on before the king. (BBE) 2 Samuel 15:19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why do you also go with us? Return, and stay with the king; for you are a foreigner, and also an exile. Return to your own place. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 15:21 Ittai answered the king, and said, "As Yahweh lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king shall is, whether for death or for life, even there also will your servant be." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 15:22 David said to Ittai, "Go and pass over." Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones who were with him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 18:2 David sent forth the people, a third part 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. The king said to the people, "I will surely go forth with you myself also." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 18:5 The king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom." All the people heard when the king commanded all the captains concerning Absalom. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 18:12 The man said to Joab, "Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn't put forth my hand against the king's son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying,'Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.' (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 23:29 Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS) 1 Chronicles 11:31 Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, (DBY)