2 Sam. 15:19-2219Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. 20Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. 21And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. 22And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. (2 Samuel 15:19‑22); John 12:2626If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor. (John 12:26).
“WHEREFORE guest thou with me?"
Said the king disowned—
Said the king despised, rejected,
Disenthroned.
“Go, return unto thy place,
To thy king of yore—
Here a pilgrim and a stranger,
Nothing more.
“Not for thee the cities fair,
Hills of corn and wine—
All was portioned ere thou earnest,
Naught is thine.
“Wandering forth where'er I may,
Exiled from mine own,
Shame, rejection I can grant thee;
That alone.
“Turn and take thy brethren back,
With thy people dwell;
I have loved thee, I. the outcast;
Fare thee well.”
Then unto the crownless king
On the Kedron's shore,
All the wilderness before him,
Ittai swore,
“As the Lord lives and the king,
Ever lord to me,
Where in death or life he dwelleth
I will be.”
“Go—pass over;" spake the king;
Then passed Ittai o'er;
Passed into the place of exile
From the shore.
He and all his little ones,
Granted by that word,
Shame, rejection, homeless wandering
With their lord.
“Go—pass over;" words of grace,
Spoken, Lord, to me,
That, in death or life, where Thou art
I might be.
Dead and crucified with Thee,
Passed beyond my doom;
Sin and law forever silenced
In Thy tomb.
Passed beyond the mighty curse,
Dead, from sin set free;
Not for Thee earth's joy and music,
Not for me.
Dead; the sinner past and gone,
Not the sin alone;
Living, where Thou art in glory,
On the throne.
Hidden there with Christ in God,
That blest life I share;
Christ it is who liveth in me—
Liveth there.
“He who serves Me," spake His lips,
"Let him follow Me,
And where I am shall My servant
Ever be.”
Follow, where His steps lead on,
Through the golden street;
Far into the depth of glory
Track His feet.
Till unto the throne of God,
Of the Lamb, I come;
There to share the blessed welcome,
Welcome home!
There with Him whom man rejected
In the light above,
Those whom God His Father honors
Such His love.
P. G.