Reference

1 Samuel 26:12

So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.
10

David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

11

The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.

12

So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.

13

Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:

14

And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Death as Sleep

The verse describes a literal deep sleep that has fallen upon Saul and his men, from which they eventually awaken. It does not use sleep as a metaphor for death, but rather as a temporary state of unconsciousness.