David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt— The reasons which restrained David from killing Saul, were worthy a brave and generous man, a man of piety and virtue. He durst not stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed. Under this sacred character he forgot that Saul was his implacable enemy, and instantly sacrificed his resentment to his conscience and duty; hereby acting with a goodness and greatness of mind, which Saul thought no man in the world could have done besides him.
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 24:5
1 Samuel 24:5
5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.