1 Samuel 26:12

12 So David took the spear and the water jar from right beside Saul's head, and he and Abishai left. No one saw it or knew what had happened or even woke up - they were all sound asleep, because the Lord had sent a heavy sleep on them all.

1 Samuel 26:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 26:12

So David took the spear, and the cruse of water, from Saul's
bolster
Abishai either refusing to take them, since he might not take away his life; or it may be rather David thought better of it, and took them himself, lest Abishai should be tempted, when so near to Saul, and his spear in his hand, and should thrust him with it; though David may be said to take them by the hands of Abishai:

and they gat them away;
with the above things along with them:

and no man saw [it], nor knew [it];
saw them in the camp, or knew what they did:

neither awaked;
at their talking together, at the motion of their feet, and taking away the spear and cruse:

for they [were] all asleep;
which was very extraordinary, that among three thousand men none should be awake, not even the sentinels; which might seem impossible in a natural way, but it is accounted for by what follows:

because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them;
or "a sleep of the Lord" F16; a very great one, an uncommon one; so great trees, mountains are called trees and mountains of God; or, according to our supplement, it was from the Lord, he was the cause and author of it; he cast them into this sleep, or caused it to fall upon them, and locked them up in it, that they might not hear David and his servant when they came among them.


FOOTNOTES:

F16 (hwhy tmdrt) , "sopor Domini", V. L. Montanus, Munsterus "altus sopor Jehovae", Junias & Tremellius, Piscator.

1 Samuel 26:12 In-Context

10 By the living Lord," David continued, "I know that the Lord himself will kill Saul, either when his time comes to die a natural death or when he dies in battle.
11 The Lord forbid that I should try to harm the one whom the Lord has made king! Let's take his spear and his water jar, and go."
12 So David took the spear and the water jar from right beside Saul's head, and he and Abishai left. No one saw it or knew what had happened or even woke up - they were all sound asleep, because the Lord had sent a heavy sleep on them all.
13 Then David crossed over to the other side of the valley to the top of the hill, a safe distance away,
14 and shouted to Saul's troops and to Abner, "Abner! Can you hear me?" "Who is that shouting and waking up the king?" Abner asked.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.