Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats.
The hem or edge of a person’s garment in the ancient Near East made a statement about his or her social standing. A king’s hem was especially ornate and identified him as the king. [Note: See Milgrom, pp. 61-65.] By cutting off this piece of Saul’s robe, which Saul may have laid aside as he relieved himself (1 Samuel 24:3), David suggested that he could cut off Saul’s reign just as easily (cf. 1 Samuel 24:21). His act constituted mild rebellion against Saul’s authority. [Note: D. J. Wiseman, "Alalakh," in Archaeology and Old Testament Study, p. 128.] 