1 Samuel 24:11

“Moreover, my father, etc.] So he was in a natural sense, as having married his daughter; and in a civil sense, as he was a king, and was, or ought to have been, the father of his country, and to treat his subjects as his children, and David among the rest: see, yea see, the skirt of thy robe in my hand; look on it again and again; view it with the eyes of thy body intently, that thou mayest be satisfied of it, and behold with the eyes of thy mind and understanding, and consider that I could as easily have had thine head in my hand as the skirt of thy robe; and here see an instance and proof of the integrity and sincerity of my heart, and cordial affections to thee, and an evidence against…”

“My father - The respectful address of a junior and an inferior (see 2 Kings 5:13, and compare 1 Samuel 24:16; 1 Samuel 25:8). return to 'Top of Page'”

“24:11 my father: Saul was, in fact, David’s father-in-law (18:27). David was demonstrating his respect for the king and recalling a day when their relationship had been much friendlier.”

“my father: Sa1 18:27; Kg2 5:13; Pro 15:1 neither evil: Sa1 26:18; Psa 7:3, Psa 7:4, Psa 35:7; Joh 15:25 thou huntest: Sa1 23:14, Sa1 23:23, Sa1 26:20; Job 10:16; Psa 140:11; Lam 4:18; Eze 13:18; Mic 7:2 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 24:12”

“To confirm what he said, he then showed him the lappet of his coat which he had cut off, and said, "My father, see." In these words there is an expression of the childlike reverence and affection which David cherished towards the anointed of the Lord. "For that I cut off the lappet and did not kill thee, learn and see (from this) that (there is) not evil in my hand (i.e., that I do not go about for the purpose of injury and crime), and that I have not sinned against thee, as thou nevertheless layest wait for my soul to destroy it." 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 24:12”