1 Samuel 24:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →David holds up the cut piece of Saul's robe as proof of his innocence, calling Saul 'my father.'
What Does 1 Samuel 24:11 Mean?
David lifts the severed corner of the robe and calls Saul 'my father' — tender, not defiant. The fabric in his hand is undeniable: he was close enough to kill yet chose not to. 'There is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand,' he pleads, even while Saul hunts his very life. The contrast could not be sharper: David's open hand against Saul's relentless pursuit.
Innocence here does not boast; it appeals. David lets the evidence speak and lays his case before the king and, beyond him, before God. He calls Saul father because he still longs for reconciliation, not revenge. This is the heart that absorbs wrong without returning it, trusting God to vindicate. It points toward the One who, when reviled, reviled not again, but committed His cause to the Father.
1 Samuel 24:11 in the Original Language
nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ), 'soul' -- the living person and the very life within, here the life Saul seeks to take.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 24:11
What does 1 Samuel 24:11 mean?
David holds up the cut piece of Saul's robe as proof of his innocence, calling Saul 'my father.'