שמואל ב, פרק ט״ו, פסוק י״ח

In a moment of severe crisis and upheaval, King David pauses to conduct a military review of his loyalists. As he stands firmly in place, his supporters march past him. He carefully inspects each individual, determining exactly who will join him on his journey [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Among those passing by are specific groups whose identities reveal the makeup of David's camp. The primary approach among commentators is that these groups form a specialized military force. They serve as the king's royal guard and mighty warriors [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ], or perhaps distinct units of skilled archers and slingers [מצודת ציון ורד״ק]. However, other traditions identify them differently. Some suggest they are prominent Israelite families [רד״ק]. A unique perspective views them not as soldiers, but as the sages of the high court. In this light, their titles reflect their judicial roles: one signifies their ability to decisively cut through complex cases and issue rulings, while the other highlights their skill in explaining wondrous and difficult legal matters. The sweeping language used to describe their presence indicates that even the ranks of their students abandoned everything to stand by David's side [רלב״ג].

Another distinct group marching in the review consists of six hundred men under the command of Ittai [מלבי״ם, רד״ק]. Their origins are also a subject of discussion. One view maintains that they are Philistines from the city of Gath, foreign soldiers who attached themselves to David's army [ביאור שטיינזלץ, רד״ק]. Another perspective argues that they are actually Israelites who had lived alongside David in Gath during the years he was hunted by Saul, and who have now returned to help him in his current time of need [רד״ק, מצודת ציון].

The devotion of these men is emphasized by the nature of their arrival. They gathered specifically because of David, drawn by their personal dedication to him [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, their arrival is understood in a very physical sense, noting that they marched directly with him, joining his movement all the way from Gath [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון].