1 Sam. 17

David had been preparing for public service in the secret school of God. God will always have to do in secret with that person whom he intends to serve Him in public. In the desert he had learned the resources which faith has in God. He had slain the lion and the bear.
Are not our failures invariably because we have not been in secret with the living God? This is the essential and primary matter. Do we esteem communion with God our highest privilege? Our strength is in walking in fellowship with the living God. David had already gone through trial, and had therefore proved the God in whom he trusted. There had been dealing between his soul and God in the wilderness.