After the death of Saul, when David had returned from defeating the Amalekites, he stayed at Ziklag for two days.

Then David prayed to God for the child and fasted. He would even go and spend the night lying on the ground.

So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman. He told her, “Pretend to be in mourning and put on garments for mourning. Don’t anoint yourself with oil. Instead, act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for some time.