The Israelites and the Philistines were two ancient tribes that lived in the region that is now modern-day Israel and Palestine. The two groups were in conflict for centuries, and the Israelites harbored a deep-seated hatred towards the Philistines for a number of reasons.

One of the primary reasons for the Israelite's hatred of the Philistines was their military aggression towards the Israelites. The Philistines were a powerful military force that posed a constant threat to the Israelites. They frequently launched raids into Israelite territory, destroying crops and livestock and taking captives. This constant threat of attack created a sense of fear and insecurity among the Israelites, and they came to view the Philistines as a mortal enemy.

Another reason for the Israelite's hatred of the Philistines was their cultural and religious differences. The Israelites were a monotheistic people who worshipped Yahweh, while the Philistines were polytheistic and worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses. The Israelites saw the Philistine religion as false and idolatrous, and this created a deep sense of animosity between the two groups.

In addition to their religious differences, the Israelites and the Philistines also had different social and economic systems. The Israelites were primarily farmers and shepherds, while the Philistines were skilled metalworkers and traders. This led to economic competition between the two groups, and the Israelites felt that the Philistines were exploiting them and taking advantage of their agricultural resources.

The conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines came to a head in the 11th century BCE, when the Philistines invaded Israelite territory and seized the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred object that represented the presence of Yahweh among the Israelites. The loss of the Ark was a devastating blow to the Israelites, and it further fueled their hatred of the Philistines.

Despite their bitter animosity, there were also moments of cooperation and mutual respect between the Israelites and the Philistines. For example, the Philistine city of Gath was the birthplace of the Israelite hero David, and there are instances in the Bible where the two groups worked together against a common enemy.