1. NOW WHEN David and his men came home to Ziklag on the third day, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid on the South (the Negeb) and on Ziklag, and had struck Ziklag and burned it with fire,
2. And had taken the women and all who were there, both great and small, captive. They killed no one, but carried them off and went on their way.
3. So David and his men came to the town, and behold, it was burned, and their wives and sons and daughters were taken captive.
4. Then David and the men with him lifted up their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep.
5. David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail, the widow of Nabal the Carmelite.
6. David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
7. David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray you, bring me the ephod. And Abiathar brought him the ephod.
8. And David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them? The Lord answered him, Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.
9. So David went, he and the 600 men with him, and came to the brook Besor; there those remained who were left behind.