1
It happened, when David and his men were come to Tziklag on the third day, that the `Amaleki had made a raid on the South, and on Tziklag, and had struck Tziklag, and burned it with fire,
2
and had taken captive the women [and all] who were therein, both small and great: they didn't kill any, but carried them off, and went their way.
3
When David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captive.
4
Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
5
David's two wives were taken captive, Achino'am the Yizre`elite, and Avigayil the wife of Naval the Karmelite.
6
David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
7
David said to Avyatar the Kohen, the son of Achimelekh, Please bring me here the efod. Avyatar brought there the efod to David.
8
David inquired of the LORD, saying, If I pursue after this troop, shall I overtake them? He answered him, Pursue; for you shall surely overtake [them], and shall without fail recover [all].
9
So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed.
10
But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so faint that they couldn't go over the brook Besor.