The term "assails" refers to the act of attacking or assaulting, often with force or violence. In the context of the Bible, it can describe both physical and spiritual attacks. The Scriptures provide numerous examples of individuals and groups who faced various forms of assault, whether from enemies, spiritual forces, or even internal struggles.

Physical Assailants

Throughout the Old Testament, the people of Israel frequently encountered physical assailants. These adversaries often came in the form of neighboring nations that sought to conquer or oppress them. For instance, the Philistines were a constant threat to Israel during the time of the Judges and the early monarchy. In 1 Samuel 17:48, David runs quickly toward the battle line to meet Goliath, demonstrating courage in the face of an assailant: "As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him" .

The Israelites also faced internal assailants, such as when Absalom, King David's son, led a rebellion against his father. This internal conflict is depicted in 2 Samuel 15-18, where Absalom's actions are described as an assault on David's kingship and the unity of Israel.

Spiritual Assailants

The Bible also speaks of spiritual assailants, often personified by Satan and his demonic forces. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers of the spiritual nature of their struggles: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" . This passage encourages Christians to put on the full armor of God to withstand these spiritual attacks.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself faced spiritual assailants during His temptation in the wilderness. Matthew 4:1-11 describes how Satan attempted to assail Jesus with temptations, yet Jesus resisted by quoting Scripture, demonstrating the power of God's Word in overcoming spiritual attacks.

Assailants in the Psalms

The Psalms frequently express the struggles of individuals who feel assailed by enemies. Psalm 3, attributed to David, is a prayer for deliverance from his foes: "O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me!" (Psalm 3:1). The psalmist often cries out to God for protection and deliverance from those who assail him, reflecting a deep trust in God's ability to save and defend.

God as Defender

Despite the presence of assailants, the Bible consistently portrays God as a defender and protector of His people. Psalm 18:2 declares, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" . This assurance of divine protection provides comfort and strength to believers facing various forms of assault.

Conclusion

The concept of being assailed, whether physically or spiritually, is a recurring theme in the Bible. It serves as a reminder of the reality of opposition in the life of faith, while also highlighting the steadfast protection and deliverance offered by God to those who trust in Him.1481b. gur -- to stir up strife, quarrel
... 1481a, 1481b. gur. 1481c . to stir up strife, quarrel. Transliteration:
gur Short Definition: assails. Word Origin a prim. root ...
/hebrew/1481b.htm - 5k

Celsus Next Assails the Doctrine of the Resurrection, which is a ...
... Chapter XXXII. Celsus next assails the doctrine of the resurrection, which
is a high and difficult doctrine? Celsus next assails ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxii celsus next assails.htm

You See by this what his Opinions are About Origen and Also About ...
... I will therefore set forth a Preface of his by which you may see in what foul and
unworthy terms he assails even a man of such eminence, and also how he ...
/.../23 you see by this.htm

Psalm XCI.
... This do thou, if thou wishest to enter by the door, when the enemy secretly assails
thee, when he asks for a man that he may do him some hurt by bodily troubles ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xci.htm

Against Publishing the Errors of the Brethren.
... For since he sees very great gain accruing to us from prayer, then most he assails
us, in order that he may disable us from our defence; [777] that he may send ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/against publishing the errors of.htm

Adoption --The Spirit and the Cry
... The error of regarding a certain divine person as a mere influence, or emanation,
mainly assails the Holy Ghost; but its falseness is seen in the words ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/adoptionthe spirit and the cry.htm

The Voice Behind Thee
... Again and again the wise, earnest, personal voice assails his ear, as if love resolved
that he should not perish if wooing could win him to life. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 28 1882/the voice behind thee.htm

Justin Accuses Crescens of Ignorant Prejudice against the ...
... For if he assails us without having read the teachings of Christ, he is thoroughly
depraved, and far worse than the illiterate, who often refrain from ...
/.../chapter iii justin accuses crescens of.htm

I have Need of Humility.
... worthy to do so. For this longing, though it is not manifest to many, all
the more vehemently assails me. [746] I therefore have ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the trallians/chapter iv i have need of.htm

A Christmas Sermon
... Friendships fall through, health fails, weariness assails him; year after year,
he must thumb the hardly varying record of his own weakness and folly. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stevenson/a christmas sermon/iv.htm

Faith's Dawn and Its Clouds
... The cowardly fiend of hell assails the weak, because he would put an end to them
before they get strong enough to do mischief to his kingdom. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/faiths dawn and its clouds.htm

Assails (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Assails (2 Occurrences). Luke 11:22 But when someone
stronger attacks him and overcomes him, he takes from ...
/a/assails.htm - 6k

Assailing (1 Occurrence)

/a/assailing.htm - 6k

Assalimoth
Assalimoth. Assails, Assalimoth. Assamias . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ...
See SALIMOTH (Apocrypha). Assails, Assalimoth. Assamias . Reference Bible.
/a/assalimoth.htm - 6k

Satan (50 Occurrences)
... In the former instance Satan assails unsuccessfully the character of one whom Yahweh
honors; while in the latter Yahweh explicitly rebukes Satan for his ...
/s/satan.htm - 53k

Joseph (248 Occurrences)
... of God with him gave him such prosperity that his master entrusted all the affairs
of his household to him, and when the greatest of temptations assails him he ...
/j/joseph.htm - 91k

Criticism (1 Occurrence)
... been most impugned. The new Babylonian school in Germany (that of Winckler)
assails it in its foundations. Recently, the successor ...
/c/criticism.htm - 101k

Bible

/b/bible.htm - 101k

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