David’s sudden absence from the royal feast naturally creates tension, yet on the first day, King Saul chooses to remain completely silent. He asks no questions about the empty seat [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד]. Instead, he assumes there is a simple, natural explanation for the absence. The primary approach among commentators is that Saul believes David experienced a common, minor ritual impurity during the night, such as a nocturnal emission or having marital relations [רלב״ג, אהבת יהונתן]. In that era, people were careful to eat even ordinary meals in a state of purity. Furthermore, the royal feast likely included meat from peace offerings dedicated to the New Moon [רד״ק, רלב״ג]. Even beyond strict religious law, arriving at the king's table in a state of impurity would be considered a severe breach of manners [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. Assuming David had not yet had the chance to immerse in a ritual bath, Saul figures he stayed away to avoid bringing impurity to the meal [רש״י, מצודת ציון, שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, Saul might have simply assumed that David had gone on a short journey and was unprepared to attend the feast that day [רד״ק].
The narrative describes David as being "not pure" rather than using the shorter, more direct word for "impure." This careful choice of words serves as a lesson in proper conduct, teaching that a person should always use clean, refined language, avoiding anything vulgar even in their own private thoughts [צוארי שלל, חומת אנך, אהבת יהונתן]. However, others see this extended phrasing as a subtle hint at Saul’s deep-seated hostility. While Saul outwardly appears to judge David favorably [אהבת יהונתן], his inner hatred leads him to suspect that David’s nighttime impurity is actually the result of harboring impure thoughts during the day [מלבי״ם].
On a deeper philosophical level, the thought that David's situation was merely a "chance occurrence" reflects a flawed worldview. A person who attributes life's events to blind chance, ignoring God's direct providence, reveals an impurity in their own core beliefs and thoughts [חומת אנך]. Finally, there is a hidden spiritual dimension to Saul's silence on that specific day. Because the feast takes place on the New Moon of the month of Nissan, David's spiritual fortune and protection are at their peak. Consequently, Saul finds himself entirely unable to speak against him [אהבת יהונתן].