According to john smith why did chief powhatan decide to spare smith's life

Because Pocahontas said not the kill him

He was brought to Chief Powhatan, the paramount chief of the Powhatan nation that included many districts and lesser chiefdoms. There Smith was welcomed and offered a great feast. Following the feast, he was grabbed by the Indians and forced to lie on two large, flat stones. Indians stood over him with clubs, ready to beat him. Pocahontas rushed to Smith, took his head in her arms, and laid her own head on him in order to save him from death. Thus the reason of sparing Smith's life was to spare his daughter.