“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.”
Samuel 24:20 is part of a larger narrative in the Bible that describes the account of King David’s census of Israel and the consequences that followed. Let’s examine the context of this verse and explore its meaning.
In this chapter, David decides to take a census of Israel and Judah, which was seen as an act of pride and mistrust in God’s provision. The chapter begins by stating that “the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel” (2 Samuel 24:1, KJV). God was displeased with David’s decision to count the people, as it revealed a lack of trust in God’s ability to care for and protect His chosen people.
As a result of David’s actions, God sends the prophet Gad to deliver a message of judgment and punishment. Gad presents David with three options for his punishment: seven years of famine, three months of fleeing from his enemies, or three days of pestilence in the land (2 Samuel 24:12‑13). David chooses the three days of pestilence, acknowledging that he would rather face God’s judgment directly than fall into the hands of his enemies.
During the course of the pestilence, the Angel of the Lord ravages the land of Israel. However, when the Angel reaches Jerusalem, God commands him to stop and instructs David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (2 Samuel 24:15‑16). The purpose of this altar was to offer a sacrifice to God in order to bring an end to the plague.
Context:In 2 Samuel 24:20, Araunah, the owner of the threshing floor, sees King David and his servants approaching him. Araunah goes out to meet the king and bows himself before him, showing respect and reverence. The act of bowing down before someone was a common sign of honor and submission in ancient cultures.
The significance of this verse lies in the fact that Araunah, a Gentile, willingly submits himself before the king of Israel, recognizing David’s authority and God’s chosen leadership. It is worth noting that this encounter takes place at the location where the altar was to be built. This act of respect from Araunah may have contributed to David’s decision to purchase the threshing floor to build an altar to the Lord.
This verse highlights the humility and reverence that should be displayed in the presence of authority, as well as the acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty. It also serves as a reminder that God’s chosen leaders should be respected and honored, as they are appointed by Him to carry out His purposes.
