Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and didn't kill you, know you and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt after my life to take it.
David called on Yahweh to judge (respond to his actions) and to avenge (reward David for his dealings with Saul; 1 Samuel 24:12; cf. Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:17-21). He promised that he would not usurp God’s role by judging Saul or by rewarding him in kind for his evil deeds. He may have compared himself to a dead dog and a single flea (1 Samuel 24:14) to help Saul realize that he viewed himself as harmless and insignificant, beneath Saul’s dignity to pursue. These comparisons may also have been warnings that Saul should not think of David as helpless and insignificant. David also voiced his reliance on God to defend and save him (1 Samuel 24:15; cf. Psalms 35:1). David’s defense here recalls Samuel’s apologia to the nation when he reached the end of his career (ch. 12).