David's life story was shaped by conflict. He was a wartime king and answered a warrior calling from the days of his youth. For this reason, in fact, David was not permitted to build the house of God (I Chron 22:8). David was a conqueror, his son Solomon would be a builder. Their respective callings would present unique challenges. For David, the incessant threat of Israel's enemies drove him time and again to prayer. Psalm 140 is a classic example. Both David and Solomon prefigure messianic glory of their future son's exploits. The one to whom David prays for deliverance will send His only Son to ultimately fulfill the calling given to Jeremiah (1:10) “See I have set you this day over nations, and over kingdoms, to pluck up, and to break down, to destroy, and to overthrow, to build, and to plant.” In the meantime David beseeches the Lord.