Common English Bible

1 Samuel 30:3-10 Common English Bible (CEB)

3. When David and his soldiers got to the town and found it burned down, and their wives, their sons, and their daughters taken prisoner,

4. David and the troops with him broke into tears and cried until they could cry no more.

5. David’s two wives had been captured as well: Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, Nabal’s widow from Carmel.

6. David was in deep trouble because the troops were talking about stoning him. Each of the soldiers was deeply distressed about their sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

7. David said to the priest Abiathar, Ahimelech’s son, "Bring the priestly vest to me." So Abiathar brought it to David.

8. Then David asked the Lord, "Should I go after this raiding party? Will I catch them?""Yes, go after them!" God answered. "You will definitely catch them and will succeed in the rescue!"

9. So David set off with six hundred men. They came to the Besor ravine, where some stayed behind.

10. David and four hundred men continued the pursuit, while two hundred men stayed there, too exhausted to cross the Besor ravine.