So David checked his men with these words, and didn't allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
Almost immediately David realized that his clever trick was inappropriate. Since Saul was the king, David had no right to tamper with his clothing. Furthermore, David realized that any attempt to take the kingdom from Saul, as he had taken the symbol of that kingdom, was contrary to God’s will. Since Saul was God’s anointed (1 Samuel 24:6) it was God’s place to remove him, not David’s.