The confession of Saul undercuts his previous claims and accusations that David betrayed him and plotted against him (1 Samuel 19:1–24, 1 Samuel 22:1–23). He recognized that his efforts to get rid of David had been sinful, and he called him to come back with him to Gibeah. Earlier, Samuel claimed that Saul was a fool (1 Samuel 13:13); now he recognized the same.1
21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.”