ZIKLAG
City in the extreme south of Judah (Jos. 15:31), assigned to the tribe of Simeon (Jos. 19:5; 1 Chron. 4:30). In Saul’s time, Ziklag belonged to the Philistines. Achish, king of Gath, gave it to David, who was then his vassal (1 Sam. 27:5, 6; 1 Chron. 12:1-22).
The Amalekites seized Ziklag, plundering it and burning it. David pursued them, recovering all the loot, and sending some of it to various cities (1 Sam. 30:1-31; 2 Sam. 1:1; 4:10).
Ziklag was separated from Philistia, thanks to David, and became part of the territory of the kings of Judah (1 Sam. 27:6).
Upon their return from captivity, the Israelites reoccupied it (Neh. 11:28).
Ident. probable: Tell el-Khuweilfeh, about 16 km east of Tell esh-Sherî’a.