2 Samuel 6 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read 2 Samuel 6.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/2sa/6/1/s_273001

Meditate on verse 2.

 

And David arose and went with all the people

 who were with him to Baale-judah

to bring up from there the ark of

 God which is called by the Name,

 the very name of the LORD of hosts

who is enthroned above the cherubim.

 

The ark of God was kept at Abinadab’s house for 20 years (1 Samuel 7:1- 2).  It was the visual reminder of God’s presence, and King David wanted it back inside the tabernacle in the City of David.  His first attempt at returning the ark went terribly wrong because David did it the wrong way.  The ark was not to be put on a cart; it was to be carried with poles on the shoulders of Levites and not touched by human hands.  David was significantly rattled when God killed Uzzah just for touching the ark, trying to steady it when the cart became unstable.  In fear of God, David left the ark at the home of Obed-edom until he made proper preparations for moving it (1 Chronicles 15:13-15).

God still has specific requirements for being in His presence.  Those who do not know God and obey the Gospel of the LORD Jesus will “pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the LORD” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).  But those who come into the presence of God through Jesus Christ receive eternal life and eternal blessings.

Pray 2 Samuel 6:12 over your house/family as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, bless my house and all that belongs

 to my family on account of Your presence.

Because You are Immanuel, God with us, Jesus~”

 

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

2 Samuel 5 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read 2 Samuel 5.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/2sa/5/1/s_272001

Meditate on verse 2b.

 

And the LORD said to you, “You

will shepherd My people Israel,

and you will be a ruler over Israel.”

 

These words spoken to King David are strikingly similar to words from the Christmas story:

 

And you Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no

 means least among the leaders of Judah; for

 out of you shall come forth a Ruler

who will shepherd My people Israel.

—Matthew 2:6

 

After reigning over Judah seven-and-a-half years, David shepherded the combined kingdom of Israel and Judah for 33 years.  David ruled a total of 40 years, but a Ruler was coming who would reign and shepherd eternally.  

 

Jesus is the everlasting Ruler and Shepherd.   Have you made Him Ruler and Shepherd of your life? 

 

Although David was king, he acknowledged God established the kingdom for His purposes (v. 12).  Do you live with the same intentionality?

 

Pray 2 Samuel 5:12 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, let ________ and me realize why You have established us.

Use us to exalt Your Kingdom for the sake of Your people.

In Your name, King Jesus~”

 

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

 

 

 

2 Samuel 4 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read 2 Samuel 4.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/2sa/4/1/s_271001

Meditate on verse 9b.

 

David said to them, “As the LORD lives, who

 has redeemed my life from all distress…”

 

As the regime change from Saul’s kingdom to David’s kingdom became obvious, people started to panic, thinking David would want to kill Saul’s family to secure his place on the throne.  A fleeing nurse carrying Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, dropped and crippled him.  Rechab and Baanah, two of Saul’s commanders, thought they could find favor with David by killing Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, but their bad decision resulted in their own deaths.

The people in these stories did not know the heart of King David.  He would never kill a descendant of Jonathan, and he trusted God’s intervention to take care of his enemies.  He did not want humans preempting the LORD’s provision.

What sends you into a panic and causes you to make crippling choices?  Know and trust the heart of Jesus; He promises to take care of you.

Pray 2 Samuel 4:9b over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, as You live, redeem _______ and

my life from all distress.

Thank You, Jesus~”

 

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

2 Samuel 3 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read 2 Samuel 3.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/2sa/3/1/s_270001

Meditate on verse 14a.

 

So David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth,

Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal…”

 

David wanted his bride.  Michal, Saul’s daughter, was betrothed to David, but Saul later gave her to Paltiel to marry instead (1 Samuel 18:20-27; 25:44).  Michal loved David; he had fought and killed 200 Philistines to win her hand in marriage.  Now, as David’s kingdom was being established, he wanted his bride, Michal, with him.

The parallels in this story to Christ and His bride, the church, are poignant. Christians are the bride of Christ.  When Jesus came 2,000 years ago, it was for the purpose of dying and resurrecting to win His bride.  Satan and the world would love to steal that precious bride, but Jesus knows who she is, and He will make her His own when He returns to establish His Kingdom (Revelation 19:7-9).

To whom are you betrothed, Christ or the world?  Be aware that when you choose to become the bride of Christ, the world will come chasing after you, even weeping, like Paltiel did for Michal (v. 16).  Do not be swayed in your decision to follow Jesus; His love for you is eternal, and His is the only everlasting Kingdom (Revelation 11:15).

Use the words from 2 Samuel 3:18 and 21 to pray over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, by Your hand save __________ and me.

Save us from all our enemies.

Gather Your people to make a covenant with You.

Be King over all that Your soul desires.

In Your name, King Jesus~”

 

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

 

 

2 Samuel 2 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read 2 Samuel 2.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/2sa/2/1/s_269001

Meditate on verses 1 and 4a.

 

Then it came about afterwards that

 David inquired of the LORD, saying,

“Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” 

And the LORD said to him, “Go up.”

 So David said, “Where shall I go up?”

 And He said, “To Hebron.” 

Then the men of Judah came and there

 anointed David king over the house of Judah.

 

David was anointed king at Hebron.  Hebron is first mentioned in Genesis 13:18 where Abraham built an altar to the LORD because of faith in God’s promises for land, descendants, and blessings (Genesis 12:1-2; 13:14-18).  David was one of those descendants and blessings.  And through Abraham and David, came the ultimate descendant and blessing, Jesus.  “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham ...” (Matthew 1:1).

Jesus descended from the royal line of David because He is King of kings (1 Timothy 6:14-15).  Is He your King?  Do you have a Hebron, a place where you believed the promises of God and made Jesus King of your life?  If not, let today become your Hebron.

Pray 2 Samuel 2:4 and 6 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD Jesus, I anoint You King

 over me and my house.

Show Your lovingkindness,

truth, and goodness to us.

Because You are King Jesus~”

 

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

 

 

2 Samuel 1 - Praying God's Word

Please read 2 Samuel 1.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/2sa/1/1/s_268001

Meditate on verse 16.

 

David said to him, “Your blood is

on your head, for your mouth

has testified against you, saying,

 ‘I have killed the LORD’s anointed.’”

 

The true account of Saul’s death is recorded in 1 Samuel 31.  The Amalekite in this chapter gave a very different version of Saul’s death.  This young man wanted to be a hero by telling David he killed Saul.  His deceitful, prideful words resulted in his death.

Remember this story when you are tempted to tell an embellished tale of your accomplishments.  Ask yourself these questions: Is it the truth? Even if it is, does it need to be told?  If so, who is glorified in the telling, you or God?

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

 

“LORD, do not let ___________ and

 my mouth testify against us.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

As you prepare for celebrating Jesus’ birth, you will continue to read the story of King David, the great, great, great ... grandfather of Jesus.  David’s story foreshadows Messiah’s coming.  In today’s reading, the Amalekite symbolizes Satan, who thought he killed the LORD’s Anointed on the cross.  On the third day (v. 2), the Amalekite came to David, and his lie was exposed.  On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead; Satan’s lie was exposed, and he was defeated.

Pray 2 Samuel 1:16 in thanksgiving for Jesus’ triumph over Satan.

 

“LORD, thank You that Satan did not kill Your Anointed.

Thank You that Satan’s blood is on his head

 for the lies his mouth testifies.

Because of Your blood, Jesus~”

 

 

The Watchman on the Wall 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Samuel 31 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read 1 Samuel 31.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/1sa/31/1/s_267001

Meditate on verse 3a.

 

The battle went heavily against Saul…

 

What a sad chapter in God’s Word! How did a man go from being chosen and anointed by God to lead a nation, to dying with his sons, armor bearer, and all his men, then having his headless body paraded among his enemies? 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 gives additional insight into this tragedy:

 

So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD,

because of the word of the LORD which he did not keep;

 and also because he asked counsel of a medium,

 making inquiry of it, and did not inquire of the LORD. 

Therefore He killed him and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.

 

God killed Saul because he disobeyed Him.

 

Learn well from the stories in God’s Word.  He carefully recorded them, not merely for a history lesson, but to disciple you into Godliness. 

 

·      Keep God’s Word.

·      Seek God’s counsel.

·      Do not be tempted to seek guidance from a fortune-teller, horoscope, etc.

·      Live with a heart for God.

 

Pray for the opposite of 1 Samuel 31:1-3 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, as ________ and I obey You,

do not let our enemies fight against us and overtake us.

 Do not let the battle go heavily against us.

  Do not let us be hit by our enemies and badly wounded.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

 

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