2 Samuel 24:22 – “Araunah said to David, ‘Let my lord the king take whatever he wishes and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood.'”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Araunah generously offers his threshing floor and all the necessary resources for David to make a sacrifice to the Lord. Araunah, a Jebusite, shows extraordinary hospitality and respect for David, offering not only the land but also oxen for the burnt offering and wood from his threshing equipment. His willingness to give freely reflects a deep reverence for both David as king and for God. While Araunah is ready to give everything for free, this sets the stage for David’s famous response in the next verse, where David insists on paying for the offerings because he does not want to give to God something that costs him nothing.
Historical Context
At this point in Israel’s history, King David had ordered a census, which led to a plague as a consequence of his disobedience to God. In response to this disaster, the prophet Gad instructed David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah. Araunah was a Jebusite, one of the original inhabitants of Jerusalem before David had conquered the city and made it his capital. Despite their different backgrounds, Araunah recognizes David’s authority and generously offers his property and resources for free to help stop the plague. The threshing floor, where grain was separated from the chaff, would later become the site of Solomon’s temple, a place of great spiritual significance for Israel.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the theme of generosity and sacrificial giving in worship. Araunah’s willingness to give everything for free demonstrates the kind of open-heartedness that God values. However, the following verses show that David’s response also teaches an important lesson: true worship requires personal cost and sacrifice. While Araunah offers the land and materials freely, David insists on paying for them to ensure that his offering to God is meaningful and not cheap. This illustrates the principle that worship and sacrifice should come from the heart and carry a sense of genuine cost, reflecting our love and devotion to God.
Literary Analysis
The verse builds a sense of generosity and humility, emphasizing Araunah’s willingness to give everything for the sake of the sacrifice. The repetition of the word “here” — “Here are oxen… and here are threshing sledges” — adds a tone of urgency and eagerness to Araunah’s offer. This language also sets up a contrast with the following verse, where David rejects the free gift and insists on paying for it. The literary structure highlights both Araunah’s generosity and David’s commitment to offering something that is truly sacrificial. The simplicity of the verse reflects the straightforward nature of Araunah’s offer, but it also foreshadows the deeper theological point about the nature of true sacrifice.
Biblical Cross-References
- Genesis 14:18-20: Melchizedek, the king of Salem, offers bread and wine to Abraham after a victory, showing a parallel in generous giving by leaders in worship.
- Exodus 25:2: God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites to bring offerings, but only from those whose hearts prompt them to give, reflecting the value of willing and generous offerings.
- 1 Chronicles 21:23-24: The parallel account where David insists on paying Araunah for the land, emphasizing that true worship comes at a personal cost.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse speaks to the importance of generosity and the heart behind giving. Araunah’s willingness to offer his resources freely is an example of how believers should approach worship and giving—with an open heart and a readiness to offer what we have to God. However, it also points to the importance of personal sacrifice in our relationship with God. David’s insistence on paying for the threshing floor in the following verse reminds us that worship should involve commitment and sacrifice. When we give to God, it should come from a place of genuine devotion and cost, not from convenience.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is reflected in the opportunity He gives for repentance and restoration. The plague was a direct result of sin, but God provides a way for it to be stopped through David’s act of sacrifice. Araunah’s generous offer shows how God often uses others to provide for the needs of His people in times of crisis. God’s love is seen in how He allows us to participate in His work through giving and worship. Araunah’s willingness to give freely reflects a heart in tune with God’s love, and this act of generosity plays a crucial role in the healing of the nation.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Araunah’s willingness to offer everything for free foreshadows the ultimate generosity and sacrifice that we see in Jesus Christ. While David would pay for the land and the materials, Jesus offered Himself freely as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. His sacrifice was not something that came cheaply; it cost Him His very life. Just as David’s altar was meant to stop the plague, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross stopped the plague of sin for all who believe in Him. Jesus’ willingness to give everything echoes Araunah’s offer, but it fulfills the ultimate need for atonement. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does Araunah’s willingness to give everything freely challenge your approach to generosity in your own life?
- What does this verse teach you about the relationship between sacrifice and worship?
- How does this passage help you understand the concept of giving to God with a heart of worship, even when it requires personal cost?
- In what ways does the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave His life freely for us, inspire you to live a life of generous giving and sacrificial worship?