When David had invaded the territory of the Amalekites, he had put to the sword all the inhabitants that fell into his hands. 694 But for the restraining power of God the Amalekites would have retaliated by destroying the people of Ziklag. They decided to spare the captives, desiring to heighten the honor of the triumph by leading home a large number of prisoners, and intending afterward to sell them as slaves. Thus, unwittingly, they fulfilled God's purpose, keeping the prisoners unharmed, to be restored to their husbands and fathers.

Da David gjorde indfald i amalekitternes land, dræbte han alle de indbyggere, han fik fat i, med sværdet. Hvis Gud ikke havde grebet ind, ville amalekitterne have hævnet sig ved at dræbe alle Ziklags indbyggere, men amalekitterne besluttede sig til at skåne deres fangers liv. De ville gøre sejrstoget mere strålende ved at tage et stort antal fanger med tilbage for senere at sælge dem som slaver. Ved at skåne fangernes liv opfyldte de uden deres eget vidende Guds vilje, så at de israelitiske fanger kunne komme tilbage til deres mænd og fædre.