Direct Answer
Jason Willis says the answer is repentance. David's sins were grave, and his repentance was full and lasting. John Chrysostom describes it mostly as his right response to what happened in his life afterward.
Support from the Message
- The invented story matched David's sins closely, and listeners moved from respect to disgust toward Jason. - Later kings were considered good and righteous if they walked as David walked, which made him the standard of goodness. - Chrysostom says David sat in ashes because his child was in danger, and that he cleansed his sins in other ways: humility, a broken heart, a sorrowful spirit, avoiding the same sin, and remembering his sins. - David accepted what happened to him, forgave those who hurt him, and refused revenge. - When Shimei insulted him, David said to let him curse, and Chrysostom says David took it as if it came from God.
Discussion Follow-up
Why is it easier to feel disgust at a neighbor's sin than at a famous Bible figure's sin? What would David's kind of repentance look like after your worst failure?