Finding Encouragement

¹ Three days later, David and his soldiers reached Ziklag. The Amalekites had raided the arid southern plain and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it down, ² taking the women and everyone in the city prisoner, whether young or old. They hadn’t killed anyone but carried them off and went on their way. 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!”