There was a great change in David himself. He was broken in spirit by the consciousness of his sin and its far-reaching results. He felt humbled in the eyes of his subjects. His influence was weakened. Hitherto his prosperity had been attributed to his conscientious obedience to the commandments of the Lord. But now his subjects, having a knowledge of his sin, would be led to sin more freely. His authority in his own household, his claim to respect and obedience from his sons, was weakened. A sense of his guilt kept him silent when he should have condemned sin; it made his arm feeble to execute justice in his house. His evil example exerted its influence upon his sons, and God would not interpose to prevent the result. He would permit things to take their natural course, and thus David was severely chastised.

Der skete også en stor forandring med David selv. Bevidstheden om hans synd og dens vidtrækkende følger tyngede ham dybt. Han følte også, at han var sunket i sine undersåtters øjne. Hans indflydelse var blevet svækket. Hidtil havde folk sat hans store fremgang i forbindelse med hans samvittighedsfulde overholdelse af Guds bud, men nu ville synden få mere tag i befolkningen, fordi hans undersåtter vidste besked med hans synd. Hans myndighed i hans eget hjem og hans krav på lydighed og respekt fra sønnernes side havde også fået et knæk. Hans egen skyldfølelse fik ham til at tie, når han burde have irettesat dem, der syndede, og hindrede ham i at håndhæve retten i sit eget hjem. Hans opførsel øvede en dårlig indflydelse på hans sønner, og Gud ville ikke gribe ind for at forhindre de onde følger. Gud lod tingene gå deres gang, og derved fik David en frygtelig straf.