He came to the sheep pens by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave.
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.] 