Day 175 – 2 Samuel 24:18-25

Scripture Review

2 Samuel 24:18-25

"And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite."

(2 Samuel 24:18)

The same prophet who announced judgment now brings instructions for approaching God. Gad tells David to "rear an altar." To rear means to raise, erect, or build. The altar was to be built at the "threshingfloor" of Araunah. A threshing floor was a flat, open place where grain was separated from the stalk and husk.

That setting carries a powerful picture. A threshing floor was a place of separation. Oxen or threshing instruments would pass over harvested grain, and the grain would then be separated from the chaff. Useful grain was separated from worthless chaff. Now it becomes a place where David's pride is humbled and where judgment gives way to mercy. Araunah is identified as "the Jebusite." The Jebusites had occupied Jerusalem before David captured the city. Yet God chose land belonging to a Jebusite as the place where David would build this altar. The angel had stopped at this place, but the stopping of judgment did not mean nothing further was required. God now directed David to build an altar there.

"And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded."

(2 Samuel 24:19)

David immediately obeys because Gad's message was what "the LORD commanded." He does not send someone else to represent him. He goes up himself.

"And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground."

(2 Samuel 24:20)

Araunah sees David and his servants approaching. This was no ordinary visit. Araunah could not yet know the full reason. He goes out and bows before David with his face toward the ground. This was an expression of honor, humility, and submission before the king. David is the king, but he is coming as a repentant sinner who needs an altar. Araunah is the landowner, but he bows before David as his sovereign.

"And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people."

(2 Samuel 24:21)

Araunah asks, "Wherefore is my lord the king come?" David answers plainly. He has come to buy the threshing floor and build an altar so that the plague may be brought to an end. He does not hide the purpose. He does not use royal authority to seize the land. He intends to buy it. David's sin had involved the proud desire to measure what was under his power. He had counted Israel as though the people existed for his security. Now he refuses to act as though Araunah's property automatically belongs to him simply because he is king.

"And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood."

(2 Samuel 24:22)

Araunah offers David everything needed. The "threshing instruments" were tools used in separating grain. These could include wooden sledges, boards, or equipment drawn by oxen. Araunah's offer is generous. He is not merely giving David the use of the ground. He is willing to provide the sacrifice and the wood.

"All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee."

(2 Samuel 24:23)

The verse says Araunah gave these things "as a king." This may describe the kingly generosity and nobility of his offer. He then says, "The LORD thy God accept thee." To accept David means to receive him favorably and look upon his offering with approval. Araunah understands that the greatest issue is not whether David accepts the gift. The question is whether the LORD accepts David. That is the central issue in our worship. People may admire the offering. The service may appear impressive. The visible actions of our worship may be valuable. But only God can determine whether the worshiper is accepted before Him. Araunah's words are also gracious. He does not appear to rejoice over David's judgment. He desires that God receive the king.

"And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."

(2 Samuel 24:24)

David refuses Araunah's offer. He is not refusing because Araunah's generosity is improper. He refuses because the sacrifice must be David's offering. Then David says one of the more important statements in all scripture. "Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing." David understands that an offering borrowed from Araunah's sacrifice would not properly represent David's repentance. True worship is not measured only by money, but genuine devotion carries cost. It may cost time, comfort, pride, convenience, possessions, plans, or personal preference. If worship never costs anything, it may simply be religious convenience. David calls Him "the LORD my God." Even under judgment, David's relationship with God remains personal. He has sinned against God, been disciplined by God, and now returns in worship to his God.

David pays fifty shekels of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen, which would amount to about one and half to two years wage.

"And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel."

(2 Samuel 24:25)

David builds the altar exactly where God commanded. He offers burnt offerings and peace offerings. A burnt offering was wholly consumed upon the altar. It represented consecration, surrender, and atonement before God. Nothing was held back for the worshiper. A peace offering expressed fellowship, thanksgiving, and restored peace with God. First comes the sacrifice connected with atonement and complete surrender. Then comes the offering connected with peace and fellowship. There can be no true peace with God while sin is merely ignored. The guilt must be dealt with in the way God provides.

Then Bible says, "The LORD was intreated for the land." Intreated means that God received the prayer and sacrifice favorably and responded with mercy. The plague was stayed from Israel. Judgment ended. The land received relief. The book of 2 Samuel therefore closes with sacrifice rather than statistics, mercy rather than military power, and worship rather than royal pride.