1 Samuel 24:20

“And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, etc.] Not merely by the common report, that he was anointed by Samuel, to which yet he might give credit; but by the providence of God prospering and preserving him, and by his princely spirit and behaviour, and by calling to mind what Samuel had said to him, that his kingdom should be given to a neighbour of his better than he, and so David was by his own confession, (<092417>1 Samuel 24:17); and the cutting off the skirt of his garment might put him in remembrance of the rending of the skirt of Samuel’s mantle, upon which he told Saul his kingdom should be rent from him; though some think that was Saul’s skirt, and so now he knew…”

“24:20 I realize that you are surely going to be king: This was Saul’s first open admission of the truth (cp. 23:17).”

“I know well: Sa1 20:30, Sa1 20:31, Sa1 23:17; Sa2 3:17, Sa2 3:18; Job 15:25; Mat 2:3-6, Mat 2:13, Mat 2:16 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 24:21”

“This wish was expressed in perfect sincerity. David's behaviour towards him had conquered for the moment the evil demon of his heart, and completely altered his feelings. In this better state of mind he felt impelled even to give utterance to these words, "I know that thou wilt be king, and the sovereignty will have perpetuity in thy hand." Saul could not prevent this conviction from forcing itself upon him, after his own rejection and the failure of all that he attempted against David; and it was this which drove him to persecute David whenever the evil spirit had the upper hand in his soul. But now that better feelings had arisen in his mind, he uttered it without envy, and merely asked…”