1 Samuel 24 - Praying God's Word

Please read 1 Samuel 24.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/1sa/24/1/s_260001

Meditate on verse 5. 

It came about afterward that David’s conscience bothered him

 because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s robe.

The LORD continued to teach David how to be a king, and in a cave, God gave him a test. When presented with a great opportunity to advance his kingdom, would David heed the advice of friends or obey the counsel of God?

What were the chances of David and Saul being in the same cave together in a wilderness full of caves? “Surely the LORD gave Saul into David’s hand to finally put an end to this unrelenting enemy,” David’s men reasoned. But David chose to listen to God instead of his friends; he passed the test, refusing to kill Saul.

Be mindful of similar tests in your life. You are presented daily with choices and opportunities. As you encounter each one, seek God’s wisdom before heeding the counsel of advisors and friends. Ask the LORD to help you discern advice contrary to His will and to give you the courage to make Godly choices.

Pray 1 Samuel 24:11b over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, let there be no evil or rebellion in ________ and my hands.

Do not let us sin against You or others.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

1 Samuel 23 - Praying God's Word

Please read 1 Samuel 23.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/1sa/23/1/s_259001

Meditate on verse 4.

Then David inquired of the LORD once more.  And the LORD answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.”

It was approximately 15 years after his kingly anointing before David actually wore the crown. God used those years to prepare David for His high calling. Instead of going to finishing school, the young shepherd boy was plucked from his familiar pastures outside of Bethlehem and chased by King Saul throughout Israel. God used the school of difficulties to teach David about the land and the people he would eventually govern. God used the school of impossible circumstances to discipline David to rely on Him and seek His guidance before making decisions.

How is the LORD preparing you for His future plans? Is He using a difficult situation to draw you into richer faith and wholehearted reliance on Him? Sometimes the LORD’s training grounds are unorthodox; trust His sovereignty and learn from the individualized lessons He daily prepares for you.

Use the words from 1 Samuel 23:2, 4, and 16 to pray over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, help _______ and me always inquire of You where we should go

 and what we should do.  Answer us and help us to hear and obey.

As we go, let us encourage others in You.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

1 Samuel 22 - Praying God's Word

Please read 1 Samuel 22 and Psalm 52.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/1sa/22/1/s_258001

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/psa/52/1/s_530001

David wrote Psalm 52 because of the events in 1 Samuel 22.

Meditate on 1 Samuel 22:22 and Psalm 52:1.

Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day,

when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. 

I have brought about the death of every person in your father’s household.”

Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? 

The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.

David’s decision to get bread from Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21) resulted in the deaths of 85 priests and their families.  Can you imagine being in David’s situation, and how would you handle it if you were?

David took responsibility for the deaths and offered shelter to Abiathar, the lone survivor.  Then, according to Psalm 52, David put the situation into God’s perspective.  He knew that the LORD would deal with Doeg and punish him for his wickedness.  David kept His focus on God, trusting in His lovingkindness and giving Him thanks (Psalm 52:8-9).

Reread Psalm 52 aloud.  Then pray 1 Samuel 22:14 and Psalm52:8 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman.

“LORD, make _______ and me faithful.  Give us honor in our homes.

Make us like a green olive tree in Your house, God. 

We trust in Your lovingkindness forever and forever.

Thank You, LORD Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

1 Samuel 20 - Praying God's Word

Please read 1 Samuel 20.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/1sa/20/1/s_256001

Meditate on verse 8a.

Therefore deal kindly with your servant,

 for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you.

After David killed Goliath, he and Jonathan entered into a covenant relationship with each other (1 Samuel 18:3-4).  Jonathan gave David his princely robe and his armor.  The exchange was poignant, foreshadowing that David would be king instead of Jonathan and promising that Jonathan would protect David at all costs.  1 Samuel 20 confirms that covenant relationship between Jonathan and David.

When you are in a covenant relationship with Jesus, similar exchanges are made.  Jesus takes your sin and robes you with Himself.

But put on the LORD Jesus Christ,

and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

—Romans 13:14

Jesus also promises to protect you in this covenant relationship.

But the LORD is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

—2 Thessalonians 3:3

Pray 1 Samuel 20:8 and 15 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, deal kindly with Your servants, __________ and me,

for You have brought Your servants into a covenant with You. 

Thank You that You put Yourself to death for our iniquity. 

Thank You that You will not cut off Your lovingkindness from our house forever,

not even when You cut off every one of Your enemies from the face of the earth.

Because of Your sacrifice, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

1 Samuel 19 - Praying God's Word

Please read 1 Samuel 19.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/1sa/19/1/s_255001

Meditate on verse 9.

Now there was an evil spirit from the LORD on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, and David was playing the harp with his hand.

Perhaps you noticed a repeated phrase in the last four chapters of 1 Samuel: “an evil spirit from the LORD” (1 Samuel 16:14-16, 23; 18:10; 19:9). Sovereign and all-powerful God controls evil spirits. Ask the LORD to help you accept and understand this truth as stated in His Word.

Another repeated phrase in 1 Samuel is: “the Spirit of God came upon” (1 Samuel 10:10; 11:6; 19:20, 23). Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit of God came upon individuals to meet the needs of the situation. (See also: Numbers 11, 24; Judges 3, 6, 11, 13).

As a New Testament follower of Jesus Christ, you have the Spirit of God living inside you, and He will never leave you. Bask in Jesus’ Words:

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper,

that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth,

whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him,

 but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”

—John 14:16-17

Use the words from 1 Samuel 19:9 and 23 to pray over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, do not allow an evil spirit to come upon _________ and me.

Thank You that Your Spirit has come upon us and lives in us. 

May we speak continually of You.

Let Your Spirit come upon __________, who needs to follow You.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

1 Samuel 18 - Praying God's Word

Please read 1 Samuel 18.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/1sa/18/1/s_254001

Meditate on verse 30b.

David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. 

So his name was highly esteemed.

After the death of Goliath, David soon faced a new enemy, jealous King Saul. Saul’s gratitude for his young musician’s victory over the enemy turned to deadly envy. Saul conceived plot after plot to kill him, yet David’s LORD Champion was always with him, keeping him safe, even in impossible circumstances. Just as he trusted God to save him from lions, bears, and giants (1 Samuel 17:34-37), David trusted the LORD to save him from a crazy king, keeping his behavior above reproach despite how Saul behaved.

You often encounter ungodly people. They may be family members, friends, coworkers, or a stranger in the car next to you. How do you respond? Do you reflect their words, actions, and attitudes, or do you behave more wisely than those around you because Christ controls you? Trust your Savior and Champion to fight your battles (Isaiah 19:20).

Pray 1 Samuel 18:14 and 30 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, let ________ and me prosper in all our ways for You are with us.

Let us behave ourselves more wisely than others.

May our name be highly esteemed.

Because of Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

1 Samuel 17 - Praying God's Word

Please read 1 Samuel 17.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/1sa/17/1/s_253001

Meditate on verse 51b.

When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

The Philistine warrior, Goliath, was called “champion” three times in this chapter (vs. 4, 23, 51).  For 40 days, the Israelite armies shook in their boots because of him, until a young musician/shepherd arrived.  Appalled by Goliath’s words, David quickly volunteered to fight. David had a proven Champion that would battle for him, delivering him and his nation from this Philistine bully.

Do you need a champion?  There are two other verses in the Bible that talk about a champion; as you read them, be encouraged and emboldened like David.

They will cry to the LORD because of oppressors, and He will send them

 a Savior and a Champion, and He will deliver them.

—Isaiah 19:20b

But the LORD is with me like a dread champion;

therefore my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. 

—Jeremiah 20:11a

Appeal to the LORD as your Champion and pray 1 Samuel 17:37 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, deliver _________ and me from the hand of __________.

Thank You that wherever we go, You are with us.

Because You are our Savior and Champion, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell