1 Samuel 30:1–10

The War against the Amalekites

30Two days later David and his men arrived back at Ziklag. The Amalekites had raided southern Judah and attacked Ziklag. They had burnt down the town ²and captured all the women; they had not killed anyone, but had taken everyone with them when they left. ³When David and his men arrived, they found that the town had been burnt down and that their wives, sons, and daughters had been carried away. ⁴David and his men started crying and did not stop until they were completely exhausted. ^5*Even David’s two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, had been taken away.

⁶David was now in great trouble, because his men were all very bitter about losing their children, and they were threatening to stone him; but the Lord his God gave him courage. ^7*David said to the priest Abiathar son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod,” and Abiathar brought it to him. ⁸David asked the Lord, “Shall I go after those raiders? And will I catch them?”

He answered, “Go after them; you will catch them and rescue the captives.”

⁹So David and his 600 men started out, and when they arrived at the brook of Besor, some of them stayed there. ¹⁰David continued on his way with 400 men; the other 200 men were too tired to cross the brook and so stayed behind.