After three days' travel David and his band of six hundred men reached Ziklag, their Philistine home. But a scene of desolation met their view. The Amalekites, taking advantage of David's absence, with his force, had avenged themselves for his incursions into their territory. They had surprised the city while it was left unguarded, and having sacked and burned it, had departed, taking all the women and children as captives, with much spoil.

Da David og hans 600 mand efter tre dages march nåede Ziklag, hvor de havde deres hjem i filisterland, mødte der dem et trøstesløst syn. Amalekitterne havde draget fordel af Davids fravær og havde hævnet hans plyndringstogter til deres land. De havde overrumplet byen, mens den var ubevogtet, havde udplyndret og brændt den og var draget af sted med alle kvinderne og børnene foruden et stort bytte.