The king said to Ittai from Gath, “Why are you also going with us? Turn back and stay with the new king (Absalom). You are a foreigner. This is not your homeland.
Only yesterday you came to join me. Must you now wander from place to place with me? No! Take your brothers and go back. May kindness and loyalty be shown to you.”
{David separated the people into three groups.} And then David sent the people out. Joab led one third of the people. Joab’s brother, Abishai son of Zeruiah led another third of the people. And Ittai from Gath led the last third of the people.