There were several skirmishes with the Philistines throughout Saul’s lifetime. On a few occasions, all of Israel’s army or men were called up for battle (see 1 Samuel 13:1 – 14:52, 1 Samuel 17:1–58). On other occasions, the fighting was smaller scale and likely limited to cross-border raids on towns and villages.
8 And there was war again. And David went out and fought with the Philistines and struck them with a great blow, so that they fled before him.