1
Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid on the Negeb and on Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag, burned it down,
2
and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great; they killed none of them, but carried them off, and went their way.
3
When David and his men came to the city, they found it burned down, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive.
4
Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept, until they had no more strength to weep.
5
David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel.
6
David was in great danger; for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in spirit for their sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
7
David said to the priest Abiathar son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." So Abiathar brought the ephod to David.
8
David inquired of the Lord, "Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?" He answered him, "Pursue; for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue."