king of Gath bade him; but it happened, that while he was gone to the
assistance of the Philistines, the Amalekites had made an incursion, and
taken Ziklag before, and had burnt it; and when they had taken a great
deal of other prey out of that place, and out of the other parts of the
Philistines' country, they departed.

6. Now when David found that Ziklag was laid waste, and that it was all
spoiled, and that as well his own wives, who were two, as the wives of
his companions, with their children, were made captives, he presently
rent his clothes, weeping and lamenting, together with his friends; and
indeed he was so cast down with these misfortunes, that at length tears
themselves failed him. He was also in danger of being stoned to death
by his companions, who were greatly afflicted at the captivity of
their wives and children, for they laid the blame upon him of what had
happened. But when he had recovered himself out of his grief, and had
raised up his mind to God, he desired the high priest Abiathar to put on
his sacerdotal garments, and to inquire of God, and to prophesy to him,
whether God would grant; that if he pursued after the Amalekites, he
should overtake them, and save their wives and their children, and
avenge himself on the enemies. And when the high priest bade him to
pursue after them, he marched apace, with his four hundred men, after
the enemy; and when he was come to a certain brook called Besor, and had
lighted upon one that was wandering about, an Egyptian by birth, who was
almost dead with want and famine, [for he had continued wandering about
without food in the wilderness three days,] he first of all gave him
sustenance, both meat and drink, and thereby refreshed him. He then
asked him to whom he belonged, and whence he came. Whereupon the man
told him he was an Egyptian by birth, and was left behind by his master,
because he was so sick and weak that he could not follow him. He also
informed him that he was one of those who had burnt and plundered, not
only other parts of Judea, but Ziklag itself also. So David made use
of him as a guide to find oat the Amalekites; and when he had overtaken
them, as they lay scattered about on the ground, some at dinner, some
disordered, and entirely drunk with wine, and in the fruition of their
spoils and their prey, he fell upon them on the sudden, and made a great
slaughter among them; for they were naked, and expected no such thing,
but had betaken themsel