1 Samuel 26:20
Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains. Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
David spoke these words from the top of a hill at a safe distance after he had spared Saul's life a second time and carried away the spear and water cruse from beside his head at his bolster. Before making this plea he rebuked Abner for failing to guard the Lord's anointed, then asked Saul why he was pursuing his servant and what evil was in his hand, and pleaded for the king to hear him. The plea pictures Saul's pursuit as the hunting of worthless prey, something small and elusive like a flea or a partridge in the mountains, and asks that David's blood not be shed far from the Lord's presence.
Saul answered with a deeper and more humble acknowledgment than before, confessing that he had sinned and played the fool and erred exceedingly, promising to do David no more harm because David had counted his life precious, and blessing David that he would do great things and prevail. David answered by holding up the king's spear for a young man to come fetch, yet he refused to place himself in Saul's power despite the promise and had no hope that Saul would long continue in that frame of mind, while his kindness in respecting his sovereign's life astonished and subdued Saul.