שמואל א, פרק כ״ד, פסוק י״ז

A powerful confrontation reaches its emotional climax as words of defense and rebuke finally break through walls of hostility. After listening to a passionate plea, Saul absorbs the claims and reacts with intense emotional turmoil [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. His immediate response is one of sheer astonishment, triggered by a striking contradiction he hears in the speech. On one side, there were harsh words and a plea for God to bring vengeance. Yet, at the same time, David had just addressed him with deep respect, referring to him as a father. Saul is bewildered by how these two conflicting voices, one demanding justice and the other speaking with the love of a son, could emerge from the very same person [אלשיך, חומת אנך].

In his response, Saul affectionately calls David his son. This reflects the reality that David had just shown him the kind of mercy a child shows a parent. Additionally, as his son-in-law, David was genuinely viewed by Saul as his own child [מצודת ציון].

As the heavy truth sets in, Saul breaks down and weeps. His tears are an outpouring of deep regret and repentance for his actions. He cries over his own tragic situation and the unnecessary heartache he brought upon himself by relentlessly hunting down a loyal friend, fully recognizing now that David is entirely righteous [ביאור שטיינזלץ, אלשיך].

Beyond his personal remorse, these tears carry the weight of a specific and agonizing guilt regarding the priests of the city of Nob. By finally understanding that David was never his enemy and never sought his harm, Saul is struck by a horrifying realization. The priests had not been aiding a traitor to the throne. He had slaughtered them for absolutely no reason, shedding the blood of the completely innocent [חומת אנך].