Gittites
The People of Gath
The Gittites were the inhabitants of Gath, one of the five principal cities of the Philistine pentapolis. They are listed alongside the people of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Ekron in Joshua 13:3 as peoples whose territory remained unconquered after Joshua's campaigns. Gath held a formidable reputation in biblical history, most famously as the home city of Goliath, the giant warrior whom the young David defeated with a sling and stone (1 Samuel 17:4). The association of the Gittites with men of extraordinary size persisted throughout the biblical period.
Warriors of Great Stature
The Gittites were particularly noted for their physical stature and fighting ability. In addition to Goliath, Scripture records other giants from Gath who fell in battle against David's warriors. Lahmi, the brother of Goliath, was slain by Elhanan son of Jair (1 Chronicles 20:5). Another Gittite giant had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four digits in all, and he taunted Israel before being killed by Jonathan, David's nephew (2 Samuel 21:20-21; 1 Chronicles 20:6-7). The repeated mention of these extraordinary warriors suggests that the Gittites maintained a warrior aristocracy known throughout the region for their imposing physical presence.
Six Hundred Gittites in David's Service
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the Gittites' story is that six hundred of them became devoted followers of David. During David's flight from Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion, the text notes that "all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed on before the king" (2 Samuel 15:18). Their commander was Ittai the Gittite, who demonstrated remarkable loyalty when David offered to release him from any obligation. Ittai responded with words of deep commitment: "As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be" (2 Samuel 15:21).
Ittai's Loyalty and Command
David was so impressed by Ittai's faithfulness that he promoted him to command a third of his army during the battle against Absalom's forces, alongside the seasoned commanders Joab and Abishai (2 Samuel 18:2). This is a remarkable development: a Philistine from Israel's most feared enemy city was entrusted with leading a third of Israel's army. Ittai's story parallels that of Ruth the Moabitess, whose declaration of loyalty to Naomi echoes Ittai's oath to David. Both narratives demonstrate that faithfulness to God and his purposes transcends ethnic boundaries.
Obed-edom the Gittite
Another prominent Gittite in David's story was Obed-edom, to whose house David entrusted the Ark of the Covenant after the death of Uzzah during the first attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:10-12). The ark remained in Obed-edom's house for three months, during which "the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household" (2 Samuel 6:11). When David heard of this blessing, he completed the transfer of the ark to Jerusalem with proper reverence. That a Gittite was chosen as the temporary guardian of Israel's most sacred object underscores the inclusive nature of God's work through David.
The Gittites in God's Story
The Gittites illustrate a recurring biblical pattern: those who were once enemies of God's people can become their most devoted allies. The six hundred Gittites who marched with David, the loyalty of Ittai, and the blessing upon Obed-edom all point to a God whose purposes extend beyond ethnic and national boundaries. These Philistine warriors who chose to follow David foreshadow the New Testament reality that God's kingdom includes people from every nation and background.
Biblical Context
Gittites are mentioned in Joshua 13:3 as unconquered Philistine inhabitants. They appear prominently in David's narrative: six hundred Gittites served as David's bodyguard (2 Samuel 15:18), Ittai the Gittite led a third of his army (2 Samuel 18:2), and Obed-edom the Gittite housed the ark (2 Samuel 6:10-12). Giants from Gath are mentioned in 1 Samuel 17:4, 2 Samuel 21:19-22, and 1 Chronicles 20:5-8.
Theological Significance
The Gittites demonstrate that God's kingdom is not limited by ethnic or national boundaries. Former enemies who pledge loyalty to God's anointed king are welcomed and blessed. Ittai's oath of loyalty anticipates the New Testament vision of Gentiles being grafted into God's people. The blessing on Obed-edom's household through the ark shows that proximity to God's presence brings blessing regardless of national origin.
Historical Background
Archaeological excavations at Tell es-Safi, identified as ancient Gath, have revealed a major Philistine city with impressive fortifications. Evidence of large-scale destruction layers corresponds to the biblical account of Hazael of Aram destroying Gath (2 Kings 12:17). The Philistines were likely Aegean migrants who settled on the southern coastal plain of Canaan around 1175 BC. Their material culture, including distinctive pottery and architectural styles, has been extensively documented through excavations at Philistine sites across southern Israel.