2 Samuel 24:20 meaning

David's approach to Araunah, the Jebusite, demonstrates an important biblical principle: the necessity of sacrifice in coming before God. This event follows a significant moment of national judgment due to David’s sinful census, which highlighted his pride and reliance on numbers rather than God’s power. In this instance, David seeks to procure Araunah’s threshing floor to build an altar to halt the plague that had afflicted Israel as a consequence of his actions. The act of building an altar signifies restoration and reconciliation with God, illustrating that true repentance often demands tangible actions.

When Araunah offers to give the king the land and resources for a sacrifice, David's refusal emphasizes that offerings to God must come at a cost. This reflects an understanding that sacrifices without personal investment undermine their significance. In this way, the principles of repentance and sacrificial giving align with God's expectations of sincere worship. As noted in the scripture, David insists, "I will surely buy it of you at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing." Such depth of commitment demonstrates the heart's alignment with God's will, and this moment sets the stage for future worship in Israel, particularly with the later construction of the temple on this very site.