1 Samuel 30:1–8

David’s Defeat of the Amalekites

30David and his men ^carrived in Ziklag ^don the third day. The Amalekites ^ehad raided the Negev and attacked and burned down Ziklag. ²They also had kidnapped the women and everyone ^fin it from the youngest to the oldest. They had killed no one but had carried them off ^gas they went on their way.

³When David and his men arrived at the town, they found it burned down. Their wives, sons, and daughters had been kidnapped. ⁴David and the troops with him wept loudly until they had no strength left to weep. ⁵David’s two wives, ^hAhinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had also been kidnapped. ⁶David was in a difficult position because the troops talked about stoning him, ⁱfor they were all very bitter over the loss of their sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God. ^j

⁷David said to Abiathar the priest, son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” ^kSo Abiathar brought it to him, ⁸and David asked the Lord: ^l“Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” ^m

The Lord replied to him, “Pursue them, for you will certainly overtake them and rescue the people.” ⁿ