Location
Overview
Ziklag was a town on the southern frontier that the Philistine king Achish gave to David during his exile, and which then "pertained unto the kings of Judah" (1 Samuel 27:6).
David's base in exile
From Ziklag David and his men raided Israel's enemies while keeping Achish deceived (1 Samuel 27:8–12). It was here that warriors from many tribes came over to David (1 Chronicles 12:1).
The Amalekite raid
While David was away, the Amalekites burned Ziklag and carried off the women and children. David's own men spoke of stoning him, but "David encouraged himself in the LORD his God" (1 Samuel 30:6).
Recovered in full
Inquiring of God, David pursued and overtook the raiders, "and David recovered all... there was nothing lacking" (1 Samuel 30:18–19). It was at Ziklag that he received news of Saul's death (2 Samuel 1:1).
Events Here
Achish gives Ziklag to David
David recovers all after the Amalekite raid on Ziklag
Scripture References
12 versesJoshua2 verses
Joshua 15:31
And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,
Joshua 19:5
And Ziklag, and Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusah,
1 Samuel4 verses
1 Samuel 27:6
Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.
1 Samuel 30:1
And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
1 Samuel 30:14
We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
1 Samuel 30:26
And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD; present: Heb. blessing
2 Samuel2 verses
2 Samuel 1:1
Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
2 Samuel 4:10
When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: thinking: Heb. he was in his own eyes as a bringer, etc who: or, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings
1 Chronicles3 verses
1 Chronicles 4:30
And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag,
1 Chronicles 12:1
Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war. while: Heb. being yet shut up
1 Chronicles 12:20
As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh.
Nehemiah1 verse
Nehemiah 11:28
And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,
Archaeology & History
Ziklag's site in the northern Negev is debated, with several mounds proposed (Tel Sera and others). Its frontier location fits its role as a base for David's raids and as a target for desert raiders like the Amalekites.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Ziklag
Where is Ziklag today?
Today, Ziklag corresponds to Northern Negev (site debated).
What happened at Ziklag in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Ziklag include achish gives ziklag to david; david recovers all after the amalekite raid on ziklag.
Where is Ziklag first mentioned in the Bible?
Ziklag is first mentioned in Joshua 15:31.
How often is Ziklag mentioned in the Bible?
Ziklag is mentioned in 12 verses across 5 books: Joshua, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, Nehemiah.
How did David get Ziklag?
The Philistine king Achish of Gath gave it to David while he was a fugitive from Saul; it thereafter belonged to the kings of Judah.
What happened at Ziklag?
The Amalekites raided and burned it, carrying off the families; David sought God, pursued them, and recovered everyone and everything.