Original Word: צִקְלַג
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Tsiqlag
Pronunciation: tsee-keh-lag
Phonetic Spelling: (tsik-lag')
KJV: Ziklag
NASB: Ziklag
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. Tsiklag or Tsikelag, a place in Israel

Ziklag

Or Tsiyqlag (1 Chronicles 12:1, 1 Chronicles 12:20) {tsee-kel-ag'}; of uncertain derivation: Tsiklag or Tsikelag, a place in Palestine -- Ziklag.

see HEBREW 'abattiyach

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a city assigned to Judah, also to Simeon
NASB Translation
Ziklag (15).

ִ˜צקְלַג and (1 Chronicles 12:1; 1 Chronicles 12:21 ׳צִיק)

proper name, of a location (צִ֒קלָ֑ג 1 Samuel 27:6 a +, ִ˜צקְלָג֖ 2 Samuel 2:1 צִיקְלָ֔ג 1 Chronicles 12:1); — assigned to Judah Joshua 15:31, to Simeon Joshua 19:5; Philistine city given to David 1 Samuel 27:6 (twice in verse); 1 Samuel 30:1 (3 t. in verse); 1 Samuel 30:14,26; 2 Samuel 1:1; 2 Samuel 4:10; 1 Chronicles 4:30; 1 Chronicles 12:1; 1 Chronicles 12:21 (van d. H. v.1 Chronicles 12:20); Σεκελακ, Σικελαγ, etc.; usually identified with Zuheilikah, 19 miles southwest from Bêt Jibrin, 11 miles east-southeast from Gaza (compare Buhl^{Geogr. 185}).

Geographical Setting

Ziklag lay in the Negev, on the borderland between Judah and Philistia, close to Amalekite territory. Though allotted to Judah (Joshua 15:31) and then to Simeon (Joshua 19:5), it apparently remained under Philistine influence until the days of David. Suggested modern sites include Tell esh-Shearia or Tell el-Khuweilfeh, both commanding routes between Beersheba and Gaza.

Conquest and Tribal Allocation

The city is first listed among the towns conquered under Joshua and assigned to Judah, then nested within Simeon’s enclave (Joshua 15:31; 19:5; 1 Chronicles 4:30). This dual listing illustrates the cooperative occupation of the southern inheritance by the two tribes and underscores Judah’s openness to share its territory with its brother tribe.

Transfer to David and Use as a Base (1 Samuel 27:6)

When David sought refuge from Saul with the Philistine king Achish, “That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day.” The gift secured David’s loyalty in Philistine eyes while granting him a discreet base from which he conducted raids against Israel’s enemies (1 Samuel 27:8–12). Ziklag thus became the first piece of territory ruled continuously by David and, symbolically, the seedbed of the future kingdom.

The Amalekite Raid and David’s Leadership Crisis (1 Samuel 30)

While David and his men were absent, Amalekites burned Ziklag and carried off the families. The narrative presents a severe test of leadership:
• Deep distress—“David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him… But David found strength in the LORD his God” (1 Samuel 30:6).
• Dependence on divine guidance—“David inquired of the LORD, ‘Shall I pursue these raiders? …’ ‘Pursue them,’ said the LORD” (30:8).
• Equitable governance—after victory David decreed, “As his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who remains with the supplies” (30:24). This statute safeguarded unity among his followers and became a standing ordinance in Israel.

Gateway to the Throne (2 Samuel 1:1; 4:10)

News of Saul’s death reached David while he “stayed at Ziklag two days” (2 Samuel 1:1). Later David reminded the assassins of Ish-bosheth that messengers who brought tidings of Saul’s death at Ziklag were executed for claiming reward (2 Samuel 4:10). Thus Ziklag serves as the narrative hinge between the demise of Saul’s dynasty and David’s ascent.

Mustering Point for the Mighty Men (1 Chronicles 12:1, 21)

“Now these are the men who came to David at Ziklag while he was banished from the presence of Saul” (1 Chronicles 12:1). Warriors from Benjamin, Gad, and Manasseh rallied to David there, evidencing widespread recognition of his anointing and foreshadowing national unification under his rule.

Post-Exilic Resettlement (Nehemiah 11:28)

Ziklag reappears among the villages occupied by the returning exiles, confirming both the continuity of Judah’s territorial claims and God’s faithfulness in restoring His people to their ancestral homes.

Theological Themes

Providence: The city’s handover to David highlights God’s quiet orchestration of redemptive history.

Testing and Refuge: Ziklag functions as both a shelter and a crucible, refining David’s faith and leadership.

Generosity and Justice: The equal-share ordinance born in Ziklag models ministry that values every member of the community.

Restoration: The post-exilic mention testifies to the Lord’s ability to rebuild ruined places.

Lessons for Ministry

• Seek strength in the Lord amid crisis.
• Inquire of God before acting.
• Reward both front-line and support roles in service.
• Trust divine timing; obscurity at a “Ziklag” may precede broader influence.

Key References

Joshua 15:31; 19:5

1 Samuel 27:6; 30:1, 6–26

2 Samuel 1:1; 4:10

1 Chronicles 4:30; 12:1, 21

Nehemiah 11:28

בְּצִֽקְלָ֑ג בְּצִקְלָ֖ג בצקלג וְצִֽקְלַ֥ג וּבְצִֽיקְלָֽג׃ וּבְצִֽקְלַ֥ג ובציקלג׃ ובצקלג וצקלג לְצִ֣יקְלַ֔ג לציקלג צִ֣קְלַ֔ג צִֽיקְלַ֗ג צִֽקְלַ֖ג צִֽקְלַג֙ צִֽקְלָ֑ג צִקְלַ֖ג ציקלג צקלג bə·ṣiq·lāḡ bəṣiqlāḡ betzikLag lə·ṣî·qə·laḡ ləṣîqəlaḡ leTzikeLag ṣî·qə·laḡ ṣiq·laḡ ṣiq·lāḡ ṣîqəlaḡ ṣiqlaḡ ṣiqlāḡ tzikLag ū·ḇə·ṣî·qə·lāḡ ū·ḇə·ṣiq·laḡ ūḇəṣîqəlāḡ ūḇəṣiqlaḡ uveTzikeLag uvetzikLag vetzikLag wə·ṣiq·laḡ wəṣiqlaḡInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts