2 samuel 24:21 - Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David said, “To buy your threshing floor, to build an altar to Yahweh, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people.”
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What does "2 samuel 24:21" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 24:21 is a crucial part of a story about David's sin and its consequences for Israel. Let's break it down:
Araunah: Araunah is identified as a Jebusite (a pre-Israelite inhabitant of Jerusalem) and the owner of the threshing floor. He is also sometimes referred to as Ornan in other biblical accounts. Threshing floors were typically located on high ground to take advantage of the wind for winnowing grain.
"Why has my lord the king come to his servant?" Araunah shows respect to King David, acknowledging David's authority and status. He's essentially asking what brings the king to his property.
"To buy your threshing floor, to build an altar to Yahweh, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people." This is the key part. David states his purpose:
To buy the threshing floor: David wants to acquire the land legally. This is important because he wants to offer a sacrifice that is legitimately his, and not something he's taken by force or simply used without permission.
To build an altar to Yahweh: David intends to construct an altar for making sacrifices to God.
"That the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people": This reveals the context of the verse. David's actions are driven by a desire to appease God and end a devastating plague that has struck Israel.
The Larger Context and Meaning:
To understand the full significance, consider the broader story in 2 Samuel 24:
1. David's Sin: David, driven by pride or a desire to show his strength, orders a census of the fighting men of Israel and Judah. This is seen as a sin, possibly because it implies reliance on military might rather than on God's provision, or because it violates a specific command not to count the people.
2. God's Punishment: God is displeased with David's action and sends the prophet Gad to offer him a choice of punishments: famine, fleeing from enemies, or a plague. David chooses the plague.
3. The Plague and Repentance: A deadly plague sweeps through Israel, killing thousands. David, witnessing the suffering, deeply repents of his sin.
4. The Divine Instruction: Gad instructs David to build an altar to the Lord on Araunah's threshing floor. This is a divinely appointed place for making atonement.
5. The Purchase and Sacrifice: Araunah initially offers the threshing floor and the oxen for sacrifice as a gift, but David insists on buying them. He understands that a true offering must come at a cost to him. He buys the threshing floor and the oxen, builds an altar, and offers burnt offerings and peace offerings.
6. The Plague Ceases: God accepts David's sacrifice, and the plague is stopped.
Therefore, the verse you asked about highlights the following key themes:
Repentance and Atonement: David's purchase of the threshing floor and the subsequent sacrifice represent his genuine repentance for his sin and his desire to make atonement for the suffering it caused.
The Importance of Proper Sacrifice: David's insistence on buying the threshing floor underscores the idea that a true offering to God must be costly and come from the heart.
Divine Mercy: The cessation of the plague after the sacrifice demonstrates God's mercy and willingness to forgive those who sincerely repent.
Divine Sovereignty: God uses the plague to demonstrate his power and displeasure at David's actions, as well as his grace in accepting the sacrifice.
The Place of Worship: The threshing floor becomes a significant place of worship, later becoming the site of the Temple in Jerusalem.
In summary, this verse is a pivotal moment in the story, demonstrating David's humility, repentance, and obedience to God, leading to the end of the plague and the establishment of a sacred place of worship.
2 samuel 24:21 - Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David said, “To buy your threshing floor, to build an altar to Yahweh, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people.”
What does "2 samuel 24:21" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 24:21 is a crucial part of a story about David's sin and its consequences for Israel. Let's break it down:
Araunah: Araunah is identified as a Jebusite (a pre-Israelite inhabitant of Jerusalem) and the owner of the threshing floor. He is also sometimes referred to as Ornan in other biblical accounts. Threshing floors were typically located on high ground to take advantage of the wind for winnowing grain.
"Why has my lord the king come to his servant?" Araunah shows respect to King David, acknowledging David's authority and status. He's essentially asking what brings the king to his property.
"To buy your threshing floor, to build an altar to Yahweh, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people." This is the key part. David states his purpose:
To buy the threshing floor: David wants to acquire the land legally. This is important because he wants to offer a sacrifice that is legitimately his, and not something he's taken by force or simply used without permission.
To build an altar to Yahweh: David intends to construct an altar for making sacrifices to God.
"That the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people": This reveals the context of the verse. David's actions are driven by a desire to appease God and end a devastating plague that has struck Israel.
The Larger Context and Meaning:
To understand the full significance, consider the broader story in 2 Samuel 24:
1. David's Sin: David, driven by pride or a desire to show his strength, orders a census of the fighting men of Israel and Judah. This is seen as a sin, possibly because it implies reliance on military might rather than on God's provision, or because it violates a specific command not to count the people.
2. God's Punishment: God is displeased with David's action and sends the prophet Gad to offer him a choice of punishments: famine, fleeing from enemies, or a plague. David chooses the plague.
3. The Plague and Repentance: A deadly plague sweeps through Israel, killing thousands. David, witnessing the suffering, deeply repents of his sin.
4. The Divine Instruction: Gad instructs David to build an altar to the Lord on Araunah's threshing floor. This is a divinely appointed place for making atonement.
5. The Purchase and Sacrifice: Araunah initially offers the threshing floor and the oxen for sacrifice as a gift, but David insists on buying them. He understands that a true offering must come at a cost to him. He buys the threshing floor and the oxen, builds an altar, and offers burnt offerings and peace offerings.
6. The Plague Ceases: God accepts David's sacrifice, and the plague is stopped.
Therefore, the verse you asked about highlights the following key themes:
Repentance and Atonement: David's purchase of the threshing floor and the subsequent sacrifice represent his genuine repentance for his sin and his desire to make atonement for the suffering it caused.
The Importance of Proper Sacrifice: David's insistence on buying the threshing floor underscores the idea that a true offering to God must be costly and come from the heart.
Divine Mercy: The cessation of the plague after the sacrifice demonstrates God's mercy and willingness to forgive those who sincerely repent.
Divine Sovereignty: God uses the plague to demonstrate his power and displeasure at David's actions, as well as his grace in accepting the sacrifice.
The Place of Worship: The threshing floor becomes a significant place of worship, later becoming the site of the Temple in Jerusalem.
In summary, this verse is a pivotal moment in the story, demonstrating David's humility, repentance, and obedience to God, leading to the end of the plague and the establishment of a sacred place of worship.