1. They didn't trust David (1-5)

The Philistines and Israelites were now faced off in battle, with David at the Philistine rear. The Philistine commanders didn't want David fighting for they feared he might turn against them during the fighting. They remembered a song praising David's military victory over Goliath and the Philistines, and they refused to trust him to fight for them (18:7).

2. "Why can't I fight my lord's enemies?" (6-11)

Achish found no fault in David and trusted him. David had successfully fooled him. But this battle was not to be. David had to return home to Ziklag. It was a battle that David could not help to win, for Israel would indeed lose. It was God's providence to keep David out of this battle.