David shows respect for the king’s life. He could have killed him but chose only to take a piece of the royal cloak, demonstrating his good intentions to Saul and seeking public acknowledgment. Saul’s weeping reveals feelings of fear and regret. By admitting his guilt, the conflict ends, and there’s no need to appeal to the Lord as a judge; it’s better to call on the Lord as a protector. Saul, who has avoided David’s revenge, also wants to escape God’s severe punishment; therefore, he calls on the Lord for David’s sake and requests an oath to counter his previous plea in verse 14. The narrator also notes that Saul expresses admiration for the future king of Israel, as Jonathan hinted in 22:17. David’s oath implicitly includes his friend Jonathan.