Bible Dictionary
Gittites
The Gittites were inhabitants of the Philistine city of Gath. Some served with David, including a large bodyguard under Ittai, and Obed-edom was also called a Gittite.
Definition
The Gittites were inhabitants of Gath, one of the chief Philistine cities. Some later lived among or served with Israelites, including the six hundred who followed David under Ittai.
Biblical Usage
Gittites are mentioned with other Philistine peoples, served as David’s bodyguard, and included Obed-edom, to whom David entrusted the ark. They are also associated with men of great stature.
Historical Background
Some Gittites appear to have emigrated to Judah. Obed-edom’s designation may have referred to Gath, Gittaim in Benjamin, or Gath-rimmon.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(belonging to Gath), the 600 men who followed David from Gath, under Ittai the Gittite, (2 Samuel 15:18,19) and who probably acted as a kind of body-guard. Obed-edom “the Gittite” may have been so named from the town of Gittaim in Benjamin, (2 Samuel 4:3; Nehemiah 11:33) or from Gath-rimmon.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>git'-its (gittim, plural of gittiy): The inhabitants of Gath. They are mentioned along with the inhabitants of the other chief Philistine cities in Jos 13:3. It would seem that numbers of them emigrated to Judah, for we find 600 of them acting as a bodyguard to David with Ittai at their head (2Sa 15:18 ff; 18:2). Obed-edom, to whom David entrusted the ark when he was frustrated in bringing it into the city of David, was a Gittite (2Sa 6:11 f; 1Ch 13:13). The Gittites seem to have been remarkable for their great stature (2Sa 21:19; 1Ch 20:5).</p>