1 Chronicles 21:21 – “Then David approached, and when Araunah looked and saw him, he left the threshing floor and bowed down before David with his face to the ground.”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

In this verse, King David approaches Araunah, the owner of the threshing floor where God instructed David to build an altar. When Araunah sees David coming, he immediately leaves his work and bows down before the king in respect. Araunah recognizes the significance of David’s visit and honors him by bowing low, a gesture of reverence often given to a king or a high authority figure in the ancient world.

This encounter is part of the larger narrative where David, having sinned by conducting a census, is instructed by God to build an altar on Araunah’s threshing floor to atone for his sin and stop the plague affecting Israel. Araunah’s response of humility and respect reflects the seriousness of the moment and sets the stage for what will become a significant act of worship and sacrifice.

Historical Context

At this point in Israel’s history, David was nearing the end of his reign as king. After ordering a census of Israel’s fighting men—an act rooted in pride and lack of trust in God’s protection—David realized his mistake and repented. God, through the prophet Gad, gave David a way to atone for his sin by building an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. The site of Araunah’s threshing floor is significant because it would later become the location of the temple in Jerusalem, the center of Israel’s worship.

In the ancient Near East, kings like David were highly respected figures, and bowing before a king was a common sign of submission and honor. Araunah’s immediate and humble reaction to David’s approach shows his recognition of the authority of the king, but it also reflects the gravity of the situation, as the plague that had ravaged Israel was still ongoing.

Theological Implications

Theologically, this verse underscores the importance of humility and submission, both to earthly authorities and ultimately to God. Araunah’s posture of bowing down before David illustrates the appropriate response to authority, but it also points to the broader biblical theme of submission to God’s will. David was following God’s command by coming to the threshing floor, and Araunah’s response reflects an understanding that something significant was happening.

This passage also highlights the role of sacrifice and atonement in restoring the relationship between God and His people. The altar that David was about to build would be the means by which the plague would be stopped, emphasizing that atonement for sin requires both repentance and action. In the Old Testament, physical altars and sacrifices were central to worship, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Literary Analysis

Literarily, this verse builds anticipation in the narrative. Araunah’s immediate recognition of David and his respectful bowing signal that something important is about to take place. The action of bowing “with his face to the ground” emphasizes the seriousness and reverence of the moment. Araunah’s submission reflects the high stakes involved—this is not a casual meeting, but one that will have profound spiritual and physical consequences for the entire nation of Israel.

The structure of the verse, with its focus on Araunah’s humble response, also highlights the contrast between the mundane (threshing wheat) and the divine (David coming to fulfill God’s command). This tension between everyday life and the extraordinary encounter with God’s will is a recurring theme in Scripture.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Genesis 23:7: “Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hittites.” Like Araunah, Abraham shows respect and humility when interacting with others, recognizing the importance of submission in critical moments.
• Romans 13:1: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” Araunah’s respect for David as king aligns with the biblical teaching that earthly authorities are established by God, and honoring them is part of honoring God’s order.
• Philippians 2:10: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Araunah’s bowing before David foreshadows the ultimate act of submission that all creation will display before Jesus Christ, the King of kings.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and respect, both toward earthly authorities and, more importantly, toward God. Araunah’s quick response to David’s approach, bowing in reverence, challenges us to consider how we respond to God’s presence and His commands in our lives. Do we approach God with humility and reverence, recognizing His authority over all things?

This verse also encourages us to be attentive to the ways in which God may call us to be part of His redemptive work. Araunah’s threshing floor, a place of ordinary work, was chosen by God to be the site of something extraordinary—the altar that would stop the plague. Similarly, God can use the ordinary aspects of our lives for His purposes if we are willing to submit to His will.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse shows God’s love through His interaction with David and Israel. Even though the nation was suffering because of David’s sin, God provided a way for the plague to be stopped through sacrifice. Araunah’s threshing floor becomes a place of mercy, where God’s judgment is halted and His grace is extended.

God’s love is also seen in His patience and provision. Despite David’s failure, God still gives him a path toward reconciliation. This reflects God’s character as one who desires restoration, not destruction. The altar that David is about to build will symbolize God’s willingness to forgive and restore His people.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse connects to Jesus Christ in that it points to the theme of sacrifice and atonement. Just as David was instructed to build an altar to atone for the sin that caused the plague, Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice who atones for the sins of humanity. Araunah’s threshing floor, where this act of atonement would take place, foreshadows the greater sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

• Hebrews 9:14: “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” Jesus’ sacrifice is the ultimate fulfillment of the system of sacrifices seen in the Old Testament, including the one David was about to make.
• 1 Peter 3:18: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” Just as David’s altar would bring reconciliation between God and Israel, Jesus’ sacrifice brings reconciliation between God and all who believe in Him.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does Araunah’s response to David challenge your understanding of humility and respect for authority?
2. In what ways can you show reverence and submission to God in your daily life, especially in moments when He calls you to obedience?
3. How does this verse remind you of the importance of atonement and the need for reconciliation with God?
4. How can you be attentive to the ways God might want to use the ordinary parts of your life for His extraordinary purposes?
5. How does Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, which fulfills the need for atonement, deepen your understanding of God’s love and mercy?

1 Chronicles 21:21 encourages us to approach God with humility and reverence, recognizing His authority and responding to His commands with obedience. It also points forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who brings complete reconciliation between God and humanity through His death on the cross.