In 1 Samuel 29 and 30, David and his men are forbidden from fighting with the man they’d been staying with, as the Philistines did not want him to flip on them last minute. Rather, he is sent away. This is good as ultimately the battle that ensued is what lead to the death of Saul’s sons and Saul to his suicide.
Having been sent away, David returns to Ziklag where he finds the city destroyed and every one of the women kidnapped. Assuming the worst, David and his men weep for days, they’re wives and children ripped from them while they were away.
After grieving, some men remained behind, exhausted. Those who remained capture an Egyptian who ultimately leads them to the attackers and kidnappers: the Amalakites. David and his 400 men (200 remained behind) fight the Amalakites for 32 hours straight, ending them all but those who fled on camels.
The women and children were found to be alive and well. The proceeds were shared among the men who were there, those who were not, and the elders of Judah. This gift is ultimately a part of what finalizes his move to reign Israel.
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