Yield: BUT GOD ... Came Even On Him

~ written by Connie Dunmyer

 

When you were growing up, I bet you heard the phrase “be careful the company you keep”. Perhaps your mother or father even challenged you on the friends you were hanging out with – in particular those with notably bad habits.

Or if you weren’t so much told this by a parent – I wonder if you saw this particular phrase lived out in others. I know that I have had friends, who became non-friendly once they started hanging out with certain other people.

Proverbs 13:20 says: “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” And in 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul quotes a Greek poet named Menander: “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”

So we do know that the company we keep does matter. And typically, I suppose, we tend to focus on the more negative aspects of that “company”. However – there is such a thing as being part of what is “good company”. And that also has an impact – especially if driven by the Holy Spirit. 

⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. ⁴⁵ The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. ~ Acts 10:44-45

 

And then we come upon today’s “BUT GOD” scripture.

(As a reminder, I’ve been studying these “But God” scriptures. They are scriptures that say “But God . . .” – a simple but POWERFUL phrase. These are God-Interventions in the lives of each and everyone of us. Because He loves us. Because He is Holy. Because He CAN!  If God “intervenes”, there’s a very good reason for it.)

 

1 Samuel 19:23 – ²³ So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. BUT the Spirit of GOD came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth.

When I came upon this “But God” scripture, I was going to pass by it. I didn’t immediately grasp the powerful intersection. But rather than ignore it, I decided to read the full context. And I found some truths that I cannot ignore.

 

I take you back to the time of David. After David miraculously killed Goliath, King Saul kept David with him (1 Samuel 18:2). Over a rather short period of time, King Saul because jealous and even fearful of David. Let's just say he had major "DDS" (David-Derangement-Syndrome).

¹² Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. 
~ 1 Samuel 18:12

In chapter 19, we begin with “Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David.”

The King was set on removing his perceived rival permanently. So David goes on the run.

¹⁸ When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. 

 

Remember that Samuel is the main prophet of that time period. He was God’s representative and could hear and reveal the words of God to others. Think about that. As Christians, we so casually take for granted the Holy Spirit in our own lives. But the Holy Spirit was not given to everyone under the old covenant – only a select few. So young David, shows wisdom, by “running to God” in essence. He ran to His representative.  

Where do I run when I’m in trouble? Do I run to people, even people I trust, to try to figure things out?  Do I run to the government to find help?  Do I run to the bank to get out of trouble? Or worse – do I run to my credit cards?  Do I run to my neighbor with gossip about the person I deem to be wrong? Do I run to social media to list out my problems?  Or do I run as fast as I can to God Himself?

 

¹⁹ Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”; ²⁰ so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied. ²¹ Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied.

The way I have this pictured is revival. God had descended upon these people and they were “having church”!  And it was so fantastic, that even David’s would-be-assassins became filled with the Spirit. Again, I remind you that this was not normal. This was not typical under the old covenant that an ordinary person, would receive the Spirit of God. Oh how blessed I am to live under this new covenant - to have received the Holy Spirit and have Him within me all the time!

 

So Saul is sending group after group to kill David. And instead of death, life and praise is being given.

²² Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Seku. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?”  “Over in Naioth at Ramah,” they said. ²³ So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. BUT the Spirit of GOD came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. 

The jealous and fearful leader, who wanted to commit murder, came under the Power of the Spirit of God, and even he prophesied and praised God.

So what problem is there in my life, or in your life, that is "too big" for God?

If God can do this for one intent on evil, what will He do for one intent on the will of God?

 

This story of David and Saul also reminds me of the spontaneous revival at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky that went on for 16 days and nights in February of 2023. People came from all over. Some would walk in more curious than anything – and they would feel the Presence of God and were converted, or healed, or prayed in His Name. All sorts of things. https://www.asbury.edu/about/revival-history/outpouring/

 

So what do I take from this “BUT GOD” moment?

1. No one and no thing is beyond the Power of God.

2. Like David, I must run to God for my strength and protection.

3. I need to BE the good company for others.

4. It matters the company I keep. Even if it's just 2 or 3 people. Because if the Spirit of God is there, it WILL grow. It will spread. It will permeate.

5. When I have enemies, be they human beings or circumstances, rather than attacking with human methods, I should gather as much good company as I can and pray. And continue to pray.

6. Praise matters!

7. Living in the Spirit of God is not a one-and-done thing. It must be fostered and cultivated daily. Spend time with the Holy Spirit. Don't forget that after this very spiritual event, when the king left and was no longer in the company of the prophets, Saul was still out to kill David. I need to always make sure I am living in the Spirit.

 

Choosing good company doesn't mean I should silo myself and only hang out with those who agree with me. No. In fact, if I am steadfast in my walk with God and the fruit of the Spirit is within me – it may well be my responsibility to create the opportunity where the Spirit of God can come upon even those intent on doing evil. But I must also be careful to surround myself with “good company” – those with whom I can grow and become more steadfast in my faith.

 ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
~ Hebrews 10:23-25

 

 

 

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© 2025: Connie F. Dunmyer, All Rights Reserved.