Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

The Amalekites were surprised and thrown into confusion. The
battle continued until nearly all the enemy were killed. "David
recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David
rescued his two wives. And nothing of theirs was lacking, either
small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had
taken from them; David recovered all."
If it had not been for the restraining power of God, the
Amalekites would have killed the people of Ziklag. They decided to
spare the captives, thinking to heighten the triumph by leading home
a large number of prisoners to sell as slaves. Thus, unknowingly,
they fulfilled God's purpose, keeping the prisoners to be restored to
their husbands and fathers.
God Is Ever at Work to Counteract Evil
With great rejoicing the victorious fighters began their
homeward march. The more selfish and undisciplined of the four
hundred men urged that those who had had no part in the battle
should not share the rewards. But David did not agree and would not
permit such an arrangement. "My brethren, you shall not do so," he
said, "with what the Lord has given us. ... As his part is that goes
down to the battle, so shall his part be that stays by the supplies;
they shall share alike."
David and his men had captured extensive flocks and herds
belonging to the Amalekites. These were called "David's spoil," and
upon returning to Ziklag he sent presents from this spoil to the
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