Ziklag

Ziklag was a town in the Negeb, the dry south country of Judah, first mentioned in the allotment list of Joshua (Josh. 15:31) and reassigned to the tribe of Simeon (Josh. 19:5). By the time of David's flight from Saul it was under Philistine control. When David went to Gath and presented himself to Achish the king, Achish granted him Ziklag as a place of residence (1 Sam. 27:6). David dwelt there for a year and four months, raiding the Geshurites and others while misleading Achish into thinking he was attacking Judah.

During David's absence with the Philistine army for the campaign that ended at Jezreel, the Amalekites raided and burned Ziklag, taking its inhabitants captive. David pursued them and recovered all the people and plunder (1 Sam. 30). It was at Ziklag that David received news of Saul's death (2 Sam. 1:1). From this time forward the city "pertained to the kings of Judah" (1 Sam. 27:6). It was resettled after the return from exile (Neh. 11:28).