1 Samuel 30:1-8 ▼

1 On the third day David (beloved) and his men arrived in Ziklag (winding), and the Amalekites (dwellers in a valley) had raided the Negev (southland), attacked Ziklag, and burned it down.

2 They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.

3 When David (beloved) and his men came to the city, they found it burned down and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive.

4 So David (beloved) and the troops with him lifted up their voices and wept until they had no strength left to weep.

5 David’s (beloved) two wives, Ahinoam (my brother is delight) of Jezreel and Abigail (my father is joy) the widow of Nabal (fool) of Carmel, had been taken captive.

6 And David (beloved) was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God {YHWH Elohaw}.

7 Then David (beloved) said to Abiathar (my father is great) the priest, the son of Ahimelech (my brother is king), “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought it to him,

8 and David (beloved) inquired of the LORD {YHWH}: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”