1 Samuel 26:12

12 Then David took the spear, and the cup of water, that was at the head of Saul, and they went forth, and no man was that saw, and understood, and waked, but all men slept (and there was no one who saw it, or knew it, or even awoke, but all the men slept); for the sleep of the Lord had fallen [up]on them.

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 And David said, (As) The Lord liveth, for no but the Lord smite him, either his day come that he die, either he go down into battle, and perish;
11 the Lord be merciful to me, that I hold not forth mine hand into the christ of the Lord; now therefore take thou the spear, that is at his head, and the cup of water, and go we away. (the Lord forbid/God forbid that I put my hand against the Lord's anointed; and so now, let us take the spear, that is at his head, and the cup of water, and go we away.)
12 Then David took the spear, and the cup of water, that was at the head of Saul, and they went forth, and no man was that saw, and understood, and waked, but all men slept (and there was no one who saw it, or knew it, or even awoke, but all the men slept); for the sleep of the Lord had fallen [up]on them.
13 And when David had passed [over] even against, and had stood on the top of the hill afar (off), and a great space was betwixt them,
14 David cried to the people, and to Abner, the son of Ner, and said, Abner, whether thou wilt not answer? (Abner, wilt thou not answer me?) And Abner answered, and said, Who art thou, that criest, and dis-easest the king?
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.