God's lovingkindness can transform us by inspiring our loyalty, by inspiring grateful trust, and by liberating us from envy. Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth, knew that he deserved nothing good from King David, but David lavished him with blessings because he had made a covenant with Jonathan to take care of Jonathan's family when he became king.

Although David experienced his greatest spiritual defeat when he gave in to his lust for Bathsheba, he repented immediately upon being confronted by the prophet Nathan. His sins were grievous, but he went before the Lord and acknowledged them and accepted responsibility for his actions. He recognized that he had primarily grieved God by his sin.