King James 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.

A chief of David
2 Samuel 18:2; 1 Chronicles 11:31

Supports David against Absalom
2 Samuel 15:19-22; 2 Samuel 18:2; 2 Samuel 18:5

(with the Lord).

1. "Ittai the Gittite," i.e. the native of Gath, a Philistine in the army of King David. He appears only during the revolution of Absalom. (B.C. 1023.) We first discern him on the morning of David's flight. The king urges him to return. (2 Samuel 15:18,19) Comp. 1 Samuel 23:13; 27:2; 30:9,10,19,20 But ittai is firm; he is the king's slave, and wherever his master goes he will go. Accordingly he is allowed by David to proceed. When the army was numbered and organized by David at Mahanaim, Ittai again appears, now in command of a third part of the force. (2 Samuel 18:2,5,12)
2. Son of Ribai, from Gibeah of Benjamin; one of the thirty heroes of David's guard. (2 Samuel 23:29)