What does 2 Samuel 15:17 Mean?

Context Summary

David was conscious of ill desert; hence his resolve to flee. How different his bearing now from that great hour when Goliath fell before him! Ah, conscience doth make cowards of us all! And yet there was a beautiful spirit of resignation welling up amid the salt waves of his bitter sorrow. When we are called to pass through dark hours, we cannot do better than repeat the words of this royal penitent: "Behold, here am I let him do to me as seemeth good to him." What thoughtfulness of Ittai! What pathos in the king's words to Zadok! What humility as he climbed Olivet! What trust still in God to turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness! It is an impressive picture of the resignation of a broken and a contrite heart.

They were noble words that Ittai uttered! His name associates him with David's residence in Gath, among the Philistines. He was a stranger and an exile in Israel, but the king's friendship had made a home for him. In these days of our Lord's humiliation, let us address Him in the chivalrous and noble words of 2 Samuel 15:21. See John 12:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:10. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Samuel 15

¹  Absalom, by fair speeches and courtesies, steals the hearts of Israel
⁷  By pretense of a vow, he obtains leave to go to Hebron
¹⁰  He makes there a great conspiracy
¹³  David upon the news flees from Jerusalem
¹⁹  Ittai will leave him
²⁴  Zadok and Abiathar are sent back with the ark
³⁰  David and his company go up mount Olivet weeping,
³¹  He curses Ahithophel's counsel
³²  Hushai is sent back with instructions