The Philistine lords insist David is sent back and he feigns disappointment, or perhaps he really wanted to go to battle and turn on them. Either way, God is gracious and spares him from having to go into battle against his own people. We might be disappointed when things don’t turn out the way we wanted, but God knows best. It’s not a bad thing when people hate us as it can keep us from sin. David is kept and preserved by God’s grace; the only thing that preserves us.