1 Samuel 26 7

1 Samuel 26:7 kjv

So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

1 Samuel 26:7 nkjv

So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay all around him.

1 Samuel 26:7 niv

So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.

1 Samuel 26:7 esv

So David and Abishai went to the army by night. And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army lay around him.

1 Samuel 26:7 nlt

So David and Abishai went right into Saul's camp and found him asleep, with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying asleep around him.

1 Samuel 26 verses

1 Samuel 26 7 Meaning

David, accompanied by Abishai, entered King Saul's camp stealthily under the cover of night. There they found Saul sound asleep, surrounded by his forces and his chief commander, Abner, yet with his own spear prominently stuck in the ground near his head, signifying both his authority and vulnerability. This scene set the stage for David's decisive act of mercy and trust in divine providence, despite having a clear opportunity to eliminate his persecutor.

1 Samuel 26 7 Context

Chapter 26 is the second time David has an opportunity to kill King Saul, who relentlessly pursues David with a 3,000-man army to take his life. This event, taking place after the Ziphites betrayed David to Saul, mirrors the encounter in 1 Samuel 24 where David cut off a piece of Saul's robe in a cave. David's profound respect for God's anointed is again tested and affirmed. Historically, this narrative reinforces the understanding of divine kingship in Israel, where a king's authority was not solely derived from military might or human prowess but from God's appointment. The act of sleeping within a camp with his chief commander and an ever-ready spear illustrates a scene of typical ancient Near Eastern military encampment, where the leader would be centrally located for security, yet here, paradoxically, rendered utterly vulnerable by God's providence and Saul's own negligence (or God causing a deep sleep as suggested by v. 12). The stark contrast between Saul's pursuit and David's restraint serves as a theological polemic against the idea of seizing power through unrighteous means, emphasizing God's timing and justice.

1 Samuel 26 7 Word analysis

• So David and Abishai (וַיָּבֹ֥א דָוִד֙ וַאֲבִישַׁ֔י - Vayavo Daviḏ va'avishay): "So" connects to the preceding narrative of David discovering Saul's location. David, as the protagonist, is accompanied by Abishai, brother of Joab, a loyal but often zealous and impulsive warrior among David's "mighty men." This highlights the choice David faces and the different temperaments of those around him.
• came to the people (אֶל־הָעָ֖ם - el-ha'am): They approached the general assembly of soldiers. This suggests penetrating the outer perimeter of the encampment, not just a hidden tent.
• by night (לָּ֑יְלָה - laylah): The darkness provides stealth for entry and exit, symbolizing the secretive nature of their approach and the vulnerability of the sleeping army. Night often signifies a time of danger or spiritual blindness in biblical narrative.
• and there Saul (וְהִנֵּ֣ה שָׁא֡וּל - v'hinneih Sha'ul): "And behold, Saul..." The Hebrew "hinneh" (behold) draws immediate attention to Saul's presence and state, emphasizing the pivotal moment of encounter.
• lay sleeping (יָשֵׁן֙ - yashen): Saul was in a state of deep, undisturbed sleep. This is not mere resting but complete unconsciousness, signifying absolute vulnerability. God supernaturally caused a deep sleep upon them all (v. 12), removing any natural human vigilance.
• within the encampment (בַּמַּעְגָּ֖ל - bama'gal): "Ma'gal" (מַעְגָּל) refers to a circular defensive formation or a camp surrounded by trenches/wagons. Saul was at the heart of his seemingly fortified military camp, yet easily accessible to David. This indicates the Lord’s hand was upon the camp, rendering all its natural defenses ineffective against David's entry.
• with his spear (וַחֲנִיתוֹ֙ - vachanitho): "Chanith" (חֲנִית) is a heavy military spear or lance, a symbol of royal authority, strength, and the king's readiness for battle. It was a king's personal weapon, much like a scepter. Its immediate proximity underscores the potent means of defense, or attack, Saul normally wielded.
• stuck in the ground (תְּקוּעָה֙ - tequ'ah): The spear was firmly planted upright, not leaning. This implies immediate readiness and prominent visibility, serving as a silent sentinel at the king's bedside even as he slept.
• at his head (מְרַאֲשֹׁתָ֑יו - mera'ashotayv): Literally "at his head-place" or "at his pillow." This highlights the precise and intimate proximity of the weapon to Saul, making it readily accessible for him if awake, and a clear means for David to strike if he chose to.
• and Abner (וְאַבְנֵ֥ר - v'Avner): Saul’s trusted commander-in-chief and cousin, responsible for his protection. His sleeping state highlights the collective failure of vigilance within Saul's most elite circle.
• and the people lay around him (וְהָעָ֥ם שֹׁכְבִ֖ים סְבִיבֹתָֽיו - v'ha'am shokhvim svivotayv): The entire army was arranged around Saul, implying a secure formation. Yet, like Abner, they too were divinely induced into a deep sleep, failing in their duty to guard the king. This further emphasizes God's sovereign hand creating this unique opportunity for David.

1 Samuel 26 7 Bonus section

This verse serves as a crucial point for understanding the concept of "God's anointed" in ancient Israel, as it underscores David's belief that Saul's removal should come from God, not human vengeance. The detail of the spear (חֲנִית, chanith) being specifically mentioned twice (v. 7 and v. 8 where Abishai mentions killing Saul with that spear) highlights its symbolic weight. It’s not just a weapon but a symbol of the kingship itself, ready for the taking. David’s action in merely removing the spear (and the water jar, v. 11-12) is thus symbolic of him taking authority away from Saul without harming him physically, signifying God's shift of the kingdom. This act parallels the tearing of Saul's robe in 1 Samuel 24, both symbolic of the rending of the kingdom from Saul. Furthermore, this encounter deeply impacts David’s future interactions with Saul’s household and tribe, influencing the eventual smooth transition of power. It establishes David's moral legitimacy and stands in stark contrast to the typical bloody transitions of power seen in other ancient Near Eastern kingdoms, underscoring the unique nature of Israel's divinely appointed monarchy.

1 Samuel 26 7 Commentary

1 Samuel 26:7 vividly portrays King Saul's vulnerable state and David's unparalleled opportunity for retaliation. The careful details of Saul's sleeping position within his secure camp, guarded by his commander, Abner, and an entire army, yet exposed to David, underline divine providence. The prominent presence of Saul's spear "stuck in the ground at his head" serves as a stark symbol of the royal power and deadly intent aimed at David, now ironically presented as an easy instrument for Saul's own demise. David's ability to reach this highly guarded and intimate space, coupled with the profound slumber of everyone including Abner (explained in v. 12 as "a deep sleep from the Lord"), makes it unequivocally clear that God delivered Saul into David's hands. This precise detail sets up the core tension of the chapter: whether David would seize the opportunity for immediate worldly advantage by harming God's anointed, or trust God's perfect timing and method for establishing him as king. This scene is a profound testament to David’s spiritual maturity and unwavering faith, echoing his conviction from the earlier encounter that he would not "stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed."