Attack!

David has been joyfully accepted as king over all Israel. The trials of being an outlaw, being scorned and disowned by his supposed friends, living in fear of death daily...all of that was over.

But the reason God made David king is not that David could enjoy a well-deserved rest from all his sufferings. The very purpose of a king is to protect and fight for the people. And immediately after his coronation, David faces an enemy. The Philistines, who had won a major defeat over Saul's army, come back to "finish the kill." They probably wanted to attack while David was weak and had not yet established a large army.

David's great public victory...acceptance by Israel...was followed by a great public threat, the Philistines.

On the heels of great victory often come great obstacles. There is no way we can face them without the grace of God. David had learned much about God while hiding from Saul. He had firm, tried-and-tested promises to lean on.

We must grow in grace at all times, so we can withstand the wiles of the devil.