1. Some terrible news (1-6)

Upon returning home from the battlefront, David and his men learned that the town of Ziklag had been raided and burned. All the wives and children of David and his men had been taken captive by the Amalekites. They all wept until they had no strength left. There was even talk of stoning David for the men were bitter in spirit. At that most difficult time, David found strength in the LORD his God.

2. David inquired of the LORD (7-15)

David brought this tragic situation to God: "Shall I pursue this raiding party?" The priest's answer was, "Yes, your rescue will succeed." They found a sick, abandoned Egyptian slave, and nursed him back to health. He promised, with protection, to lead them to the raiding party.