Saul chased after David, but when Saul went into a cave to "relieve" himself David had a chance to kill him. His men saw this as David's great chance, and a God given opportunity. David did not, and only cut off a piece of Saul's garment. He was even grief stricken after doing this, for he saw Saul as the Lord's anointed and it was not his place to harm him.
There are parallels here with Jesus, and general lessons on how the kingdom advances. Jesus rebuked his disciples and was wary of the crowds for their man-focussed way of looking at things. Peter rebuked Jesus for talking of going to the cross, the crowds wanted to make him king. Jesus knew that the way of the cross was God's chosen plan for the coming of the kingdom. Likewise, David trusted God to give him the kingdom at the right time.
David then let Saul know what had happened, letting Saul know that David had no intention of killing Saul and was not a threat to him. Note that while David was not willing to kill Saul himself, he was not oblivious to Saul's sin and the fact that the Lord would bring judgement. The key thing is that he would let the Lord be the judge, he would not assume that place himself. This too is a lesson in how we should act as individuals and as a church.
Saul seems to be repentant again. All in all he is a very tragic figure.David makes an oath to look after Saul's family when he does become king.
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