24:4 Here is the day of which the Lord said to you. While it is providential that Saul should enter the very cave where David and his men are hidden, there has been no hint that God wanted David to lift a hand against Saul (cf. v. 6). The suggestion by David’s men that he do so would be a mistaken conclusion of their own.

cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. David restricts himself to a symbolic act (v. 5 note).