^{1 Ref} It happened, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid on the South, and on Ziklag, and had struck Ziklag, and burned it with fire,

^{2 Ref} 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 Ref} 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 Ref} Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

^{5 Ref} David's two wives were taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

^{6 Ref} 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 Yahweh his God.

^{7 Ref} David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, Please bring me here the ephod. Abiathar brought there the ephod to David.

^{8 Ref} David inquired of Yahweh, 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].