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.
David was a shepherd lad holding God's promise of the throne, utterly helpless in himself as he stood against Saul the established monarch who was bent on holding fast his power with the strength of the whole world behind him. Saul was pursuing and hunting David to take his life, and David feared for his life. David had Saul in his power and could have killed him, but he spared him and did not act against him.
He cut off a piece of Saul's robe and displayed it as evidence to prove his innocence and that he would not harm Saul. He declared that there was neither evil nor transgression in his hand and that he had not sinned against Saul. His address to Saul as father was a respectful way of addressing the king. He afterward regretted even cutting the robe because Saul was the Lord's anointed. His stand in trusting God's word proves the power of God's word against human power and policy in support of evil. His stand places him among the world's true nobility and royal line in which the youth of today are called to take their places.