1 Samuel 30:1-8 (NIV)
David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it; 2and had taken captive the women and all who were in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way.
3When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. … 6David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit (angry) because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
7Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, 8and David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?"
"Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue."

This is a rather disturbing story.

David and his army are away from home, fighting against the Phillistine army - Israel's enemy. While they are away doing God's work, doing the right thing something tragic happens. A group of people called the Amelikites raided their camp and took away the children wives, and livestock. It was a cowardly attack because they would not dream of attacking the camp if the men were there. They take advantage of their vulnerability.

Imagine coming home to find your wife, and children gone and you have no idea what has happened to them. To find evident signs of a violent struggle, and to see your house on fire. Talk about your heart sinking.

These men who were the families protectors come back to this devastation. They are so shocked and overwhelmed with grief that they weep openly. The mind in times like this goes crazy. It asks, what has happened to my wife, and my daughter, have they been killed, have they been raped? What have they done to my son, has he been injured, tortured or killed? They are absolutely devastated.

During this time of despair David enquires of the Lord.