The Lord did not send David for protection to the Philistines, the most bitter foes of Israel. This very nation would be among his worst enemies to the last, and yet he had fled to them for help in his time of need. Having lost all confidence in Saul and in those who served him, he threw himself upon the mercies of the enemies of his people. David was a brave general, and had proved himself a wise and successful warrior; but he was working directly against his own interests when he went to the Philistines. God had appointed him to set up his standard in the land of Judah, and it was want of faith that led him to forsake his post of duty without a command from the Lord.

David vanærede Gud ved sin vantro. Filisterne var mere bange for David end for Saul og hans hære, og da David stillede sig under filisternes beskyttelse, afslørede han sit eget folks svaghed over for dem og tilskyndende sine landsmænds uforsonlige fjender til at undertrykke Israel. David var blevet salvet, for at han skulle forsvare Guds folk, og Herren ønsker ikke, at hans tjenere skal sætte mod i de gudløse ved at afsløre hans folks svaghed eller ved at vise ligegyldighed over for deres ve og vel. Hertil kom, at hans brødre fik det indtryk, at han var draget over til hedningerne for at dyrke deres guder.