2 Samuel 24:21 – “Araunah said, ‘Why has my lord the king come to his servant?’ ‘To buy your threshing floor,’ David answered, ‘so I can build an altar to the Lord, that the plague on the people may be stopped.'”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Araunah asks King David why he has come to visit him, a humble servant. David replies that he has come to purchase Araunah’s threshing floor in order to build an altar to the Lord. The purpose of this altar is to stop the plague that had been devastating Israel as a result of David’s sin in ordering a census. David’s desire to make a proper sacrifice to God reflects his repentance and determination to restore his relationship with God. The altar symbolizes David’s acknowledgment that atonement must be made for sin, and his action demonstrates that obedience to God’s instructions can lead to mercy and restoration.
Historical Context
This event takes place after David had ordered a census of Israel’s fighting men, a decision that displeased God because it represented a reliance on human strength rather than trust in Him. As a result, God sent a devastating plague upon Israel. David, realizing the consequences of his actions, repented and sought God’s forgiveness. The prophet Gad instructed David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite to stop the plague. Araunah’s threshing floor was located in Jerusalem, a city of great importance in Israel’s history, and would later become the site of Solomon’s temple. David’s request to buy the threshing floor reflects his understanding that sacrifices to God must be meaningful and come at a cost.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse underscores the importance of repentance, sacrifice, and obedience in the process of restoration. David’s willingness to buy the threshing floor and build an altar shows that atonement for sin requires personal sacrifice and action. He could not simply ask for God’s mercy without demonstrating his repentance through obedient action. The altar that David intended to build was a means of stopping the plague and restoring God’s favor, highlighting the concept that sin requires atonement. This points to a deeper truth in Scripture: the need for sacrifice to restore the relationship between God and His people.
Literary Analysis
This verse presents a dialogue between Araunah and David, emphasizing their roles as servant and king, yet highlighting David’s humility in acknowledging his need to make a sacrifice to God. The question posed by Araunah—”Why has my lord the king come?”—invites the reader into the unfolding story, while David’s response reveals the seriousness of his mission. The mention of “the plague on the people” creates urgency, showing that this interaction is not a casual transaction but one of life and death significance. The language of the verse is simple yet loaded with meaning, illustrating the importance of obedience, sacrifice, and repentance.
Biblical Cross-References
- 1 Chronicles 21:22-24: This passage parallels the same event and adds the detail that David insists on paying for the threshing floor, refusing to offer to God something that costs him nothing.
- Leviticus 17:11: “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” This reinforces the idea that atonement requires sacrifice, as seen in David’s desire to build an altar.
- Hebrews 9:22: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” This connects the Old Testament understanding of sacrifice with the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, this verse is a reminder that true repentance involves more than just words—it requires action and often personal sacrifice. David’s willingness to buy the threshing floor and build an altar shows that obedience to God’s will requires commitment. Christians are called to not only acknowledge their sins but to take steps to make things right, trusting that God will respond to their repentance with mercy. This verse also reminds believers that God desires sincere worship and obedience, and that restoring a relationship with God may come at a cost—but it’s a cost worth paying.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is evident in this verse through His willingness to provide a way for the plague to be stopped. While the plague was a consequence of sin, God’s instructions to David through the prophet Gad show that He desires restoration, not destruction. By allowing David the opportunity to build an altar and make a sacrifice, God demonstrates His love and mercy, giving David a path to healing and renewal for both himself and the nation of Israel. This act of grace shows that God is always ready to forgive and restore when His people turn back to Him with sincere repentance.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse points forward to Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system that David was observing. Just as David sought to stop the plague by offering a sacrifice on an altar, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to stop the plague of sin that affects all humanity. In Hebrews 10:12, it says, “But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross accomplished what all previous sacrifices pointed toward—complete atonement and restoration with God. David’s altar foreshadows the cross, where the ultimate price for sin was paid.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does David’s willingness to purchase the threshing floor and build an altar teach you about the cost of true repentance and obedience to God?
- How does this verse challenge you to take action when you realize you have sinned, rather than simply asking for forgiveness without change?
- In what ways does the concept of sacrifice in this verse point you to the greater sacrifice of Jesus on the cross?
- How can you live out a deeper sense of worship and obedience to God, knowing that true relationship with Him may require personal cost?