Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

Character Study of Ittaia character study by Jeff S. SmithIntroductionIttai is not a famous Bible character, but merely a minor one who appears briefly upon the stagecommanded by King David. Yet, for his brief appearance, Ittai teaches some valuable lessons aboutloyalty and courage.DiscussionI. His CharacterA. Background1. Ittai (p. 'ittay, 'ithay) was a Gittite, or a native of Gath, “one of the five chief cities of thePhilistines” 56 a. one would not expect so loyal a soldier as Ittai to come from beyond Israel’s borders, butthe fact that he hailed from Philistia is even more remarkableb. David became famous by killing the Philistines’ giant champion, but when Saul began tohunt him, David frequently found refuge in Philistia (First Samuel 21:10, 27:2-4)2. Gath was a walled city, sacked repeatedly during the height of Israel’s power, but probably lostto history in the middle of the eighth century before Christ3. we know nothing more about Ittai’s background than that he hailed from GathB. His Stand1. Ittai does not appear until much later in the life of David, who survived the persecution of KingSaul, only to be forced from the throne temporarily by his own son, Absalom, angry over his perceivedmistreatment following his murder of his half-brother who had raped his sister2. Absalom subverted the people of the kingdom by promising them more ready justice thanDavid supplied, finally compelling the royal party and its loyalists to flee Jerusalem (Second Samuel15:10-17)3. Ittai refused to remain among the rebels, although it surely would have been easier and morepragmatic (Second Samuel 15:18-23)C. His Service1. Ittai impressed the king sufficiently that David made him a leader in his army, one of threecaptains along with Abishai and the venerable Joab (Second Samuel 18:1-5)2. perhaps if Ittai had discovered Absalom hanging by his head alive in a tree, he would haveobeyed the king and brought him back alive, but Joab did not observe any niceties in war, and killed therenegade heir3. for his part, Ittai is never mentioned or heard from again, suggesting that he might have paidwith his life the cost of remaining by David’s side and not going to Absalom when he had the chance 57II. Some ApplicationsA. Friendship1. Ittai is a study in friendship among so many other things, despite the relative few words that aresaid about him in the Bible2. the fact that he was willing to take a risk and sacrifice his life for the king whom he consideredworthy is evidence of his honor3. that is the kind of friendship that Jesus displayed toward sinners, especially among believers,for whom he willingly died upon the cross (John 15:9-17)a. as he talked with the apostles, their feet were freshly washed and dried because Jesus hadknelt before them with a basin of waterb. now he was again predicting his own death and teaching them to wash each other’s feet bybeing willing to take calculated risks and to make sacrifices for each other4. the cynic says, friendship is “An emotion so sweet, loyal, and enduring that it lasts an entirelifetime–unless asked to lend money.”a. friendships are sorely tested in times of distress, especially when one loves his lucre morethan his companion, and the Holy Spirit advises that love that only exists in fair weather is not really love219