Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Samuel 5:17

17 ¶ But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel , all the Philistines came up to seek David , and David heard of it, and went down to the hold .

Whilst the Civil War lasted between the Houses of Saul and David, they wisely forbore all Hostilites, and left them to tear out one anothers Bowels, that afterwards they might make a more easie Conquest of both. But that being ended, and all united under David, they bestir themselves.

To find him out, and fight against him, and cut him off now in the Infancy of his Kingdom. Whereby they give David a just occasion to fight against them for his own necessary Defence, and acquit him from any note of Ingratitude, in opposing them who had formerly exercised kindness and Hospitality to him. Though indeed David's Obligations were in a manner wholly to Achish, who seems to he dead at this time, there being no mention of him.

To some fortified place to which his people might conveniently resort from all places, and where he might intrench his Army, and which lay towards the Philistines.

Marginal references: 1 Chron. 11. 16. and 14. 8.