Why did David say that his cutting off part of Saul’s robe proved his loyalty in 1 Samuel 24:11?
1 Samuel 24:11 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.
1 Samuel 24:1 - 22
ESV - 1 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks.
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Asked October 29 2021
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Anonymous
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Tim Maas
Supporter
The act of cutting off a portion of Saul's robe proved David's continued loyalty to Saul because it provided visible evidence that David had been in close enough proximity to Saul to kill him (as David might have been considered warranted in doing, since Saul was actively and unjustifiably seeking to kill David). If David had been disloyal to Saul, David could have used the opportunity to kill Saul, but he did not.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
According to Matthew 9:20-21, that is, in Bible days seizing the hem of a garment symbolized loyalty, faith, and covenant-making. Cutting off the corner of someone's robe symbolized disloyalty and rebellion. David's act was disloyalty which he soon repented of before Saul, which act showed his loyalty. QSB David was moved by his conscience. He bowed before the king and showed him this robe fragment to show his loyalty. Do we let our conscience move us? Do we submit to the government that God has ordained as David did? Especially when some others think that the government is wrong?
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