Facing severe and unfounded accusations, David declares his absolute innocence and moral purity. He presents a twofold defense that highlights his unwavering loyalty to his friends and his extraordinary mercy toward his enemies, proving that he never abused the power he held.
David rhetorically asks if he ever betrayed a trusted ally or returned evil for good. The primary approach among commentators is that he is speaking about a close friend or a man of peace, pointing directly to his steadfast loyalty to King Saul during the years he served as his son-in-law and fought his battles [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם]. Taking a slightly different approach, others suggest he is asking if he ever paid back an enemy with the harsh punishment they actually deserved [רש״י].
Far from causing harm, David’s actions toward his adversaries were defined by extreme restraint. Rather than simply avoiding conflict, he actively saved his enemy's life [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This refers to the tense moments when David held his own men back from killing Saul, even though the king was hunting him. Another perspective connects David’s defense to the specific event where he secretly cut the corner of Saul’s robe in a cave [רש״י, מצודת ציון, אבן עזרא]. He did not do this out of hatred or a desire to leave the king stripped and humiliated. Rather, his sole intention was to prove that Saul’s life had been completely in his hands and he had chosen mercy [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. Had David truly wanted to cause harm, he certainly would not have stopped at merely cutting a piece of cloth [אלשיך].
Other commentators offer additional layers to David's defense. One view explains that David never even raised an army or armed forces to wage a rebellion against his pursuer [מלבי״ם]. Another perspective focuses on his deep generosity, suggesting that even if an enemy had come to him for help, David would never have sent him away empty-handed without offering his own resources [מאירי].
The concept of emptiness and lack of cause weaves through these events in several ways. It highlights the tragic reality that his enemy hated and pursued him completely without cause [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד]. At the same time, it reflects David’s pure intentions—whether it means he saved his enemy's life for free, expecting no reward [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ], or that he carefully avoided leaving his adversary stripped and shamed during their vulnerable encounter in the cave [רש״י].