David Buys Araunah’s Threshing Floor

II Samuel 24:18–25
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In response to David’s urgent prayer, the angel of the Lord orders the prophet Gad to tell David to  “Go up” to Araunah’s threshing floor. There David is to build an altar to the Lord (v. 18). He obeys as the Lord has commanded (v. 19). Araunah sees the King and his servants coming toward him and goes out to met him. He pays homage to David by bowing down before him with his face to the ground (v. 20), calling himself David’s servant (v. 21). Then David tells Araunah he has come to buy the threshing floor and build an altar to the Lord, so the plaque will be withdrawn from the people.

Although they were usually used as draft animals, oxen were also commonly sacrificed as burnt offerings and fellowship offerings (v. 22). David said he will not sacrifice to the Lord burnt offerings that cost him nothing (v. 23). So he pays Araunah fifty shekels of silver for both the threshing floor and the oxen and he builds an altar on it (v. 24). He then sacrifices his offerings as a means of seeking divine favor. The sword is put back in its sheath and judgment is stopped (v. 25). Although David seems to be content in building the altar on the threshing floor, Solomon would eventually build the temple there on the hill called Moriah (II Chron. 3:1). 

Application

I am so thankful that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for me in that He paid the debt for my sins.