1 Samuel 26:12

12 So David took the spear and water jug that were near Saul's head. Then he and Abishai left. No one saw them. No one knew about what they had done. In fact, no one even woke up. Everyone was sleeping. That's because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep.

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 You can be sure that the LORD lives," he said. "And you can be just as sure that the LORD himself will strike Saul down. Perhaps he'll die a natural death. Or perhaps he'll go into battle and be killed.
11 May the LORD keep me from laying a hand on his anointed king. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head. Then let's leave."
12 So David took the spear and water jug that were near Saul's head. Then he and Abishai left. No one saw them. No one knew about what they had done. In fact, no one even woke up. Everyone was sleeping. That's because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep.
13 David went across to the other side of the valley. He stood on top of a hill far away from Saul's camp. There was a wide space between them.
14 He called out to the army and to Abner, the son of Ner. He said, "Abner! Aren't you going to answer me?" Abner replied, "Who is calling out to the king?"
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