1 Chronicles 21:24

KJV

And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take [that] which [is] thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

KJV (with Strong's)

And king {H4428} David {H1732} said {H559} to Ornan {H771}, Nay; but I will verily {H7069} buy {H7069} it for the full {H4392} price {H3701}: for I will not take {H5375} that which is thine for the LORD {H3068}, nor offer {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930} without cost {H2600}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But King David said to Ornan, "No; I insist on buying it from you at the full price. I refuse to take what is yours for ADONAI or offer a burnt offering that costs me nothing."

Berean Standard Bible

“No,” replied King David, “I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for the LORD what belongs to you, nor will I offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

American Standard Version

And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for Jehovah, nor offer a burnt-offering without cost.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 21:24 captures King David's profound theological conviction that genuine worship and atonement for sin must involve personal cost and sacrifice, emphatically rejecting the idea of offering "without cost." This pivotal declaration, made amidst a national plague brought on by David's sin of numbering Israel, underscores the principle that devotion to the Lord demands a willing and substantial contribution from the worshiper, reflecting the immense value and holiness of the Divine and the gravity of sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the critical narrative of David's sin in numbering Israel, an act of pride that provoked God's wrath and resulted in a devastating plague upon the nation (see [1 Chronicles 21:1-7](/1_chronicles/21-1-7 "1 Chronicles 21:1-7 - David's Sin and the Plague")). To halt the divine judgment, the prophet Gad instructed David to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite (cf. [1 Chronicles 21:18](/1_chronicles/21-18 "1 Chronicles 21:18 - Gad's Command to David")). When David approached Ornan to purchase the site and the necessary materials for the sacrifice, Ornan, out of reverence and generosity, offered to give everything—the threshing floor, oxen, and threshing implements—for free (as detailed in [1 Chronicles 21:23](/1_chronicles/21-23 "1 Chronicles 21:23 - Ornan's Generous Offer")). David's response in verse 24 is a profound theological statement, rejecting the notion of a costless offering and setting the stage for the atonement that would follow. This account parallels the narrative found in [2 Samuel 24](/2_samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and Atonement").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of numbering the people, while seemingly innocuous, was considered a sin when done out of pride or reliance on human strength rather than divine provision, as was the case here. Threshing floors were typically open, elevated areas where grain was separated from chaff, often serving as community gathering places. Ornan, a Jebusite, was likely a remnant of the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Jerusalem, demonstrating David's interaction with non-Israelites and their integration (or subjugation) into his kingdom. Burnt offerings (Hebrew: _'olah_) were a central part of Israelite worship, signifying complete dedication and atonement, where the entire animal was consumed by fire, symbolizing total surrender to God. The concept of "full price" was crucial for legal and religious transactions, ensuring that ownership was fully transferred and that the offering was truly the worshiper's own, not a borrowed or gifted item. This ensured the integrity of the sacrifice and the worshiper's personal investment.
* **Key Themes:** David's declaration powerfully articulates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **the cost of true worship**, emphasizing that genuine devotion and sacrifice must involve personal expenditure and not be cheap or convenient. This principle underscores that God is worthy of our best, not merely what costs us nothing. Secondly, it speaks to **integrity and respect for God's holiness**. By insisting on paying the full price, David demonstrated his profound reverence for God and the sanctity of the sacrificial system, recognizing that an offering to God must be truly from the worshiper's own substance. Thirdly, this act reflects David's **genuine repentance and humility** following his grave sin. He sought not the easiest path to atonement but was willing to bear the financial burden, understanding that a broken and contrite spirit, expressed through costly obedience, is what God truly desires (cf. [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - The Sacrifice God Desires")). Finally, the location of this event, Ornan's threshing floor, later became the site of Solomon's Temple ([2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Solomon Builds the Temple")), imbuing it with profound **theological significance** as the perpetual place of costly worship and atonement for Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **buy (Hebrew, _qânâh'_):** From H7069, meaning "to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase." David's insistence on "buying" signifies a transfer of ownership and a personal investment. It's not merely acquiring but possessing through a deliberate, costly act. This underscores the principle that what is offered to God must genuinely belong to the offerer, acquired through their own effort or means, making the sacrifice truly their own.
* **full (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ'_):** From H4392, meaning "full (literally or figuratively) or filling; also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully." When applied to "price," it denotes a complete, adequate, and just payment. It means the price that fully reflects the value of the land and materials, ensuring that the offering is truly David's own and not a burden or loss to Ornan. This emphasizes that true worship requires a complete and unreserved commitment, not a token gesture or a discounted devotion.
* **without cost (Hebrew, _chinnâm'_):** From H2600, meaning "gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage." This term highlights the antithesis of David's principle. To offer something "without cost" implies a lack of personal investment, sacrifice, or value. David understood that a sacrifice that costs nothing to the offerer is, in essence, worth nothing to God, as it fails to demonstrate genuine devotion, repentance, or honor. It would cheapen the sacred act of atonement and diminish the gravity of the sin being atoned for.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And king David said to Ornan, Nay;":** David's immediate and firm refusal of Ornan's generous offer. This "Nay" (לֹא, _lo'_) is an emphatic negative, signaling his strong conviction regarding the nature of true sacrifice. It is not a rejection of Ornan's generosity but a profound theological statement about his own responsibility and the necessary posture before God.
* **"but I will verily buy it for the full price:":** David's resolute declaration to purchase the threshing floor and materials. The phrase "verily buy" (קָנֹה אֶקְנֶה, _qanoh eqneh_) uses an infinitive absolute with the imperfect, intensifying the verb "buy," indicating his absolute determination and commitment to pay. This underscores his understanding that the act of atonement must involve personal sacrifice and ownership of the offering, ensuring its legitimacy and sincerity.
* **"for I will not take [that] which [is] thine for the LORD,":** This clause explains the core reason for David's refusal. He would not appropriate Ornan's property for a sacred act dedicated to God. To do so would diminish the personal nature of the offering and potentially transfer the burden or the credit for the sacrifice to Ornan, rather than keeping it solely as David's act of repentance and devotion. It would be an offering that did not truly originate from his own substance.
* **"nor offer burnt offerings without cost.":** This is the foundational theological principle David articulates, serving as the climax of his declaration. He explicitly states that sacrifices, especially burnt offerings which symbolize complete surrender and atonement, must not be "without cost." This establishes a timeless principle of worship: genuine devotion requires personal investment, sacrifice, and a tangible expression of one's commitment and reverence for God. A costless offering implies a lack of value placed on the act itself or on the One to whom it is offered.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Contrast** as a primary literary device, setting David's unwavering insistence on paying the "full price" against Ornan's generous offer of providing everything "without cost." This stark opposition powerfully highlights the central theological point: true sacrifice is inherently costly and personal. The **Symbolism** of the threshing floor is also potent; what was once a mundane place for separating grain becomes a sacred altar, symbolizing the separation of sin and the purification through atonement. Furthermore, the entire narrative serves as a profound **Foreshadowing** of the future Temple site. David's act of purchasing the land for an altar of atonement prefigures the permanent dwelling place of God's presence and the ongoing sacrificial system, emphasizing that the very foundation of Israel's worship was laid through a costly act of obedience and repentance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's refusal to offer a sacrifice "without cost" establishes a timeless theological principle: genuine worship and devotion require personal sacrifice. This is not about God's need for our material possessions, but about the posture of our hearts and the sincerity of our commitment. A sacrifice that costs nothing to the giver reveals a superficial understanding of God's holiness and the gravity of sin. True worship flows from a heart that values God above all else, willing to give of its substance, time, and effort. This principle challenges believers across all generations to examine the sincerity and depth of their commitment, ensuring that their offerings—whether material, spiritual, or relational—are not merely convenient leftovers but costly expressions of love and reverence. It teaches that the value of our offering is measured not by its monetary worth to God, but by the personal cost and sincerity with which it is given, demonstrating a heart fully surrendered.

* [2 Samuel 24:24](/2_samuel/24-24 "2 Samuel 24:24 - David's Parallel Refusal to Offer What Costs Nothing")
* [Malachi 1:8](/malachi/1-8 "Malachi 1:8 - Condemnation of Offering Lame and Sick Animals")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's resolute stance in 1 Chronicles 21:24 provides a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to scrutinize the nature of our own worship and service. In a culture often driven by convenience and minimal effort, David reminds us that authentic devotion is rarely cheap. It calls us to consider whether our giving—of our finances, our time, our talents, and our very selves—truly reflects a heart that values God supremely, or if we are merely offering what is easy, leftover, or costs us nothing. True worship is transformative precisely because it demands something of us; it requires a personal investment that stretches our faith and demonstrates our love. This principle extends beyond monetary contributions to every facet of our lives: are we offering God our best effort in our work, our most dedicated time in prayer and study, our deepest compassion in serving others, or are we content with superficial engagement that costs us little? David's example encourages us to cultivate a heart that delights in giving sacrificially, understanding that such offerings are a fragrant aroma to the Lord, demonstrating genuine reverence and a profound understanding of His worthiness and our dependence upon Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What areas of my life am I holding back from God, offering only what is "without cost" or convenient?**
* **How does the principle of costly sacrifice challenge my understanding of true worship and generosity?**
* **In what practical ways can I increase my personal investment in my relationship with God and my service to His kingdom?**
* **Do I truly believe that God is worthy of my "full price" – my best, my first, my all?**

### FAQ

**Why was David's census a sin, and how does it relate to 1 Chronicles 21:24?**

Answer: David's census was a sin because it stemmed from pride and a reliance on human strength rather than divine provision and protection. While numbering the people wasn't inherently wrong, this specific census was undertaken without God's command and likely reflected David's desire to boast in his military might or to assess his resources for future conquests, rather than trusting in the Lord (see [1 Chronicles 21:1](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1 - Satan Incites David to Number Israel")). This act demonstrated a lack of faith and self-sufficiency, which displeased God. The plague that followed was divine judgment. David's subsequent insistence on paying "full price" for the altar and sacrifice in [1 Chronicles 21:24](/1_chronicles/21-24 "1 Chronicles 21:24 - David's Costly Sacrifice") directly relates to his repentance. It shows his understanding that true atonement for such a grievous sin required a genuine, costly act of humility and obedience, not a cheap or convenient solution that would further insult God's holiness.

**What is the significance of Ornan's threshing floor in this narrative?**

Answer: Ornan's threshing floor holds immense significance beyond its immediate use for sacrifice. It was the very place where the angel of the Lord, who was bringing the plague, stood (see [1 Chronicles 21:15](/1_chronicles/21-15 "1 Chronicles 21:15 - The Angel of the Lord at the Threshing Floor")). It became the designated site for the altar that would bring an end to the plague, making it a place of divine intervention, judgment, and mercy. Most notably, this threshing floor was later chosen by God as the permanent site for Solomon's Temple (see [2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Solomon Builds the Temple on Mount Moriah")). Thus, David's costly purchase and the altar built there became the foundational act for the future center of Israel's worship and atonement, linking the specific act of repentance to the enduring presence of God among His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's insistence on a costly sacrifice in 1 Chronicles 21:24 profoundly foreshadows the ultimate, perfect, and infinitely costly sacrifice of Jesus Christ. David understood that atonement for sin could not be cheap; it required a personal, substantial offering. Yet, even the "full price" David paid for the threshing floor and animals was merely a shadow, unable to truly take away sin (cf. [Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")). The true "full price" for humanity's sin was paid by the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus did not offer something that cost Him nothing; He offered His very life, His perfect obedience, and His innocent blood (cf. [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed with Precious Blood")). His sacrifice was the ultimate demonstration of costly love, emptying Himself and becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross (see [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience")). Through His single, perfect offering, Christ secured eternal redemption, not with the blood of bulls and goats, but with His own precious blood (cf. [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Blood, Eternal Redemption")). Therefore, David's principle of costly worship finds its ultimate fulfillment in the cross, inspiring believers to respond with lives of costly discipleship, offering themselves as living sacrifices in light of the immeasurable price paid for their salvation (cf. [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 14:23

That I will not [take] from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that [is] thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

Malachi 1:12

But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] polluted; and the fruit thereof, [even] his meat, [is] contemptible.

Malachi 1:14

But cursed [be] the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I [am] a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name [is] dreadful among the heathen.

Genesis 23:13

And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou [wilt give it], I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take [it] of me, and I will bury my dead there.

Deuteronomy 16:16

Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

Deuteronomy 16:17

Every man [shall give] as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

Romans 12:17

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.