I’m a big fan of novels where opposites attract. I didn’t expect to write a book about friendship where the opposites were two men whose history would make them enemies.

I enjoy writing biblical fiction about little-known Bible characters. In “Defending David,” I follow a Philistine exile who arrives in Jerusalem on the eve of a rebellion. The exile is a Philistine giant named Ittai the Gittite. Ittai sticks by King David’s side when David’s own son is trying to kill David and seize the kingdom.

If you look up faithfulness in the dictionary, you will find words like allegiance, loyalty, and devotion. As a Christian, we know those words apply to our relationship with God. What struck me as unusual is that Ittai the Gittite pledges loyalty to King David, but first, he pledges loyalty to the One True God. Huh? Weren’t the Philistines pagans, and at war with Israel for years?

You only have to go back to David’s childhood to see the animosity between the Israelites and the Philistines. David slayed Goliath—a Philistine giant—for insulting God. And even after Ittai’s appearance in II Samuel 15:21, we see Israel fighting the Philistines (again) in chapter twenty-one, verse fifteen.

So where is the faithfulness? Look at Ittai’s pledge of loyalty to David in II Samuel 15:21.

“But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.” (NIV)

Ittai pledges his faithfulness to God first and foremost. Then he pledges his faithfulness to David, a man after God’s own heart. (I Samuel 13:14). A foreigner who lived in a land of idols places God number one.

Being faithful to God and David will cost Ittai something. The Christian life isn’t always easy. Ittai and his fighting men have just arrived in Jerusalem after traveling across the desert. David tries to persuade Ittai to rest in Jerusalem and ally with Absalom, but Ittai refuses. He and his men will travel once more.

War is dangerous, Ittai will fight for David–God’s anointed king. He will have the responsibility to command a third of Israel’s army. (II Samuel 18:2). A Philistine leading an army of Hebrews? That is a miracle in itself.

So, what do we learn about faithfulness from a Philistine exile?

• God should be number one in our lives. Jesus said it succinctly in the Gospels, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Luke 12:30). A rephrase of Deut. 6:4-6.
• Ittai also loves his neighbor and friend, King David. Jesus mentions this in Mark 12:31 “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
• Loving and being faithful in your Christian witness isn’t easy. Ittai is tired from traveling. He risks his life to fight for King David. He does what he is gifted to do, and then some.
• Ittai knows that he serves a living God. How does he know God lives? Traveling with six-hundred Philistines across Israel wasn’t an easy feat. It could have been a disaster except for God. I’m assuming Ittai and his men prayed to the One True God. You cannot have a relationship with a dead, hand-carved pagan god, but you can have a relationship with God who is alive.
• We have God’s Living Word to guide us and encourage us on our Christian journey. We don’t know if Ittai had read some of Moses’ writings or heard tales of the parting of the Red Sea, or even heard David sing a psalm.

If a Philistine exile can place God first in his life and show faithfulness to the Living God, how much more can we today with the truth of Christ’s resurrection and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I’m thrilled to have discovered a new Bible hero who just happens to be a faithful Philistine giant.

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When a quiet journey to Jerusalem turns tragic, newly orphaned Rimona must flee a kinsman set on selling her as a slave. Racing into the rocky hills outside of Hebron, Rimona is rescued by a rugged Philistine commander journeying to Jerusalem with six-hundred warriors. Can Rimona trust this giant foreigner, or will she be betrayed once again?

Exiled commander, Ittai the Gittite, is seeking refuge in the City of David. Protecting a frantic Hebrew woman is not in his leadership plan. Though having a nobleman’s niece in his caravan might prove useful for finding shelter in a foreign land.

As Rimona and Ittai journey to Jerusalem, an attraction grows between the two orphans looking for a new home. The unlikely pair arrives in Jerusalem on the eve of a revolt against King David. Will the chaos separate them forever, or can a bold woman and a Philistine exile defend an aging king who has slain tens of thousands, but cannot control a rebellious son?

Purchase on Amazon, B&N, or wherever books are sold. Libraries can order the book as well.

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Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She is multi-published in Biblical Fiction and loves bringing little-known Bible characters to light in her stories. Her WWI Historical Until June released in 2020. Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and Romance Writers of America. She has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about Barb and her books on her website at www.barbarambritton.com.

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