“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.”
Historical Context:In this chapter, we find King David’s sinful act of conducting a census against God’s will, which led to severe consequences for Israel. After realizing his mistake and repenting, God sent the prophet Gad to David to offer three forms of punishment: seven years of famine, three months of fleeing before his enemies, or three days of plague. David chose the latter, and the plague brought significant devastation to the people.
David’s encounter with Araunah:During the plague, David witnessed the destruction wrought upon the land. As the plague approached Jerusalem, David saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth with a drawn sword in his hand, ready to destroy the city. Trembling before God, David pleaded for mercy on behalf of the people.
The Offering of Araunah:In response to David’s plea, God commanded the angel to cease the plague. David was instructed to go to the threshing floor of Araunah, where he was to build an altar and offer burnt offerings to the Lord. Araunah, the Jebusite, owned the threshing floor, and he generously offered it to David as well as the oxen and wood needed for the sacrifice, free of charge.
David’s Refusal to Offer a Sacrifice without Cost:However, David refused Araunah’s offer. He declared that he would not offer burnt offerings to the Lord his God from something that cost him nothing. David understood that true worship and sacrifice involved giving of oneself, including material possessions. He recognized that offering something without cost or sacrifice would diminish the significance of his worship.
David’s Purchase and Offering:David insisted on purchasing the threshing floor and the oxen for a fair price of fifty shekels of silver. He understood the importance of offering a sacrifice that represented genuine sacrifice, commitment, and devotion to God. David bought the threshing floor and built an altar, offering burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord.
Spiritual Lessons:
- True worship requires sacrifice:David’s refusal to offer something that cost him nothing highlights the principle that genuine worship and sacrifice involve personal cost and dedication. It’s not about mere rituals or lip service but a heartfelt offering of ourselves to God.
- The value of true worship:By purchasing the threshing floor and oxen, David demonstrated his commitment to honoring God. He acknowledged that his worship should be valuable, representing his love, devotion, and gratitude towards the Lord.
- Honoring God with our resources:David’s act emphasizes the importance of using our resources for the glory of God. While God ultimately owns everything, we have the privilege of using our possessions and abilities to honor Him and further His kingdom.
- The significance of repentance:This passage also highlights David’s repentant heart. Despite his grave mistake of conducting the census, David acknowledged his sin, sought forgiveness, and offered sacrifices to restore his relationship with God. It serves as a reminder of God’s willingness to forgive and restore us when we humbly repent.
Overall, 2 Samuel 24:24 teaches us about the importance of genuine worship, sacrificial giving, and the value of repentance. It encourages us to offer our whole selves to God, recognizing that worship without cost or sacrifice is incomplete.
