David Buys Araunah’s Threshing Floor
April 22, 2019
Commentary
In response to David’s urgent prayer, the angel of the LORD commanded the prophet Gad to tell David to “Go up” to the threshing floor of Araunah and build an altar to the LORD (v. 18). David obeyed exactly as the LORD had commanded him through Gad (v. 19). His obedience shows a heart that listens quickly after repentance. When Araunah saw the king and his servants approaching, he went out to meet them. He bowed low before David with his face to the ground, showing honor and humility (v. 20). Araunah called himself David’s servant and asked why the king had come (v. 21). David explained that he had come to buy the threshing floor and build an altar to the LORD, so the plague would be stopped among the people. This meeting shows respect on both sides and a shared fear of the LORD.
Araunah generously offered David the threshing floor, the oxen, and the wood for the sacrifice (v. 22). Oxen, though often used for work, were also commonly offered as burnt and fellowship offerings. However, David refused the gift and said, “I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (v. 23). David understood that true worship requires personal cost and sincere devotion, not convenience. He paid Araunah 50 shekels of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen (v. 24). David then built an altar and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. God accepted his worship, answered his prayer, and stopped the plague, lifting judgment from the land (v. 25). Though David built the altar, Solomon would later build the temple on this same site, Mount Moriah (2CH 3:1), showing God’s long-term purpose to establish a place where people will meet God.
Application
I learn that real worship costs me something and begins with obedience. Where do I obey quickly after God speaks? What am I offering Him that costs me nothing? Do I give God my best time, energy, and heart? When I fail, will I repent, take action, and trust God’s mercy to stop judgment and restore peace?
2 Samuel 24:18–25 (NET)
18 So Gad went to David that day and told him, “Go up and build an altar for the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” 19 So David went up as Gad instructed him to do, according to the Lord’s instructions.
20 When Araunah looked out and saw the king and his servants approaching him, he went out and bowed to the king with his face to the ground. 21 Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David replied, “To buy from you the threshing floor so I can build an altar for the Lord, so that the plague may be removed from the people.” 22 Araunah told David, “My lord the king may take whatever he wishes and offer it. Look! Here are oxen for burnt offerings, and threshing sledges and harnesses for wood. 23 I, the servant of my lord the king, give it all to the king!” Araunah also told the king, “May the Lord your God show you favor!” 24 But the king said to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it from you! I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt sacrifices that cost me nothing.”
25 Then David built an altar for the Lord there and offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings. And the Lord accepted prayers for the land, and the plague was removed from Israel.
A Sacrifice Hurts
Several years ago, there was a song on Christian radio that said, “We bring a sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord.” It had a happy, upbeat tune. Listening to it, I had the feeling that the singers were intrigued by the words … Continue