1 chronicles 21:18 - Then Yahweh’s angel commanded Gad to tell David that David should go up and raise an altar to Yahweh on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Generated Verse: 1 chronicles 21:18

What does "1 chronicles 21:18" mean?


This verse, 1 Chronicles 21:18, is a crucial point in a narrative about David's sin and its consequences. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context:

David's Sin: David, against God's will and prompted by pride, took a census of the fighting men of Israel (1 Chronicles 21:1-4). This was seen as a challenge to God's sovereignty and an attempt to rely on military strength rather than divine protection.

Divine Punishment: God was angered by David's actions and sent a plague upon Israel, resulting in the deaths of thousands (1 Chronicles 21:14).

Yahweh's Angel: The "angel of Yahweh" is depicted as a divine messenger carrying out God's judgment. He is described as being poised to destroy Jerusalem.

Gad the Prophet: Gad was David's seer or prophet, who often delivered messages from God to David (1 Samuel 22:5).

Meaning of 1 Chronicles 21:18:

Verse 18 marks the turning point towards atonement and the cessation of the plague. Here's a breakdown of what it signifies:

1. Divine Command: The angel of Yahweh (representing God's authority) instructs Gad. This highlights that the solution to the crisis comes directly from God.

2. Gad as Intermediary: Gad, as David's prophet, is the chosen messenger. This is typical of the relationship between prophets and kings in the Old Testament. Gad relays God's will to David.

3. David's Instruction: David is commanded to take specific action:
"Go up": This suggests that the threshing floor of Ornan was located on higher ground or that David was to take the matter seriously and elevate it in importance.
"Raise an altar to Yahweh": This signifies atonement, sacrifice, and a plea for God's mercy. Building an altar was an act of worship and reconciliation.

4. Ornan the Jebusite: Ornan (also called Araunah in 2 Samuel 24) was a Jebusite, one of the original inhabitants of Jerusalem before David conquered it. The fact that the chosen site belonged to a non-Israelite is significant:
It shows God's sovereignty over all people, not just Israel.
It sets the stage for the eventual acquisition of the Temple Mount, the most sacred site in Judaism.

In summary, this verse means that God, through his angel and relayed by the prophet Gad, is directing David to take specific action (building an altar on Ornan's threshing floor) as a means of seeking atonement for his sin and halting the devastating plague upon Israel. The choice of a Jebusite's property for this sacred act highlights God's universal authority and lays the groundwork for the future construction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

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