שמואל א, פרק כ״ו, פסוק י״ח

David turns to Saul with a mix of genuine astonishment and deep respect, struggling to understand why the relentless hunt for his life has resumed. His approach in this encounter is noticeably soft and pleading. This marks a sharp contrast to their previous meeting, where David spoke harshly and declared that Heaven would judge between them [אלשיך]. The shift in his tone stems directly from the resolution of that past confrontation. During that earlier exchange, Saul had admitted his own wrongdoing, recognized that David was destined to be the next king, and even made David swear not to destroy his royal line. Because they had reached such a profound reconciliation, David is completely baffled by the renewed pursuit.

Unable to make sense of the situation, David concludes that Saul must not be acting out of his own free will. Instead, he assumes the king is being driven by outside incitement. He wonders whether God has stirred Saul against him as a punishment for his own sins, or if malicious people spreading rumors have manipulated the king's mind [אלשיך]. David's respectful demeanor is also a direct response to Saul having just addressed him affectionately as a son. Meeting this warmth, David responds with great love, making it clear that he still views Saul as his master and king, while considering himself nothing more than a loyal servant [אלשיך].

In presenting his defense, David divides his argument into two distinct points. First, he questions whether he has ever taken any action to rebel or plot against the throne. Next, he broadens his defense to ask whether he has committed any other moral wrongs or bad deeds in general [מלבי״ם]. Another perspective suggests that this second point serves a deeper, preemptive purpose. David realizes that Saul might harbor a hidden fear: the king could suspect that enduring such a long and unjust pursuit might cause David to develop a bitter grudge. This resentment could theoretically drive David to break his previous oath and wipe out Saul's descendants once he takes power. By pointing out that he has absolutely no history of doing evil, David assures Saul that there is no logical reason to suspect he would suddenly begin acting wickedly and violate his sworn promise [אלשיך].