1 Samuel 26:12

12 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they went away. No man saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because 1a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon 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 lives, the LORD will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish.
11 The LORD forbid that I should put out my hand against the LORD's anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go."
12 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they went away. No man saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them.
13 Then David went over to the other side and stood far off on the top of the hill, with a great space between them.
14 And David called to the army, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, "Will you not answer, Abner?" Then Abner answered, "Who are you who calls to the king?"

Cross References 1

  • 1. Genesis 2:21; Genesis 15:12
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.