1 Chronicles 21:26

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.

And David {H1732} built {H1129} there an altar {H4196} unto the LORD {H3068}, and offered {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930} and peace offerings {H8002}, and called {H7121} upon the LORD {H3068}; and he answered {H6030} him from heaven {H8064} by fire {H784} upon the altar {H4196} of burnt offering {H5930}.

Then David built an altar to ADONAI there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called on ADONAI, who answered him from heaven by fire on the altar for burnt offerings.

And there he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called upon the LORD, who answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.

And David built there an altar unto Jehovah, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, and called upon Jehovah; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt-offering.

Commentary

Context

1 Chronicles 21:26 describes a pivotal moment in King David's life and in Israel's history. This event immediately follows David's sin of numbering the people, which brought a devastating plague upon Israel (1 Chronicles 21:15). To avert further judgment, the prophet Gad instructed David to build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. David purchased the site, refusing to accept it for free, recognizing the cost of true sacrifice. This particular verse highlights God's divine response to David's obedient act of worship and sacrifice, marking the cessation of the plague and consecrating the very spot that would later become the permanent site for the Temple in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 3:1).

Key Themes

  • Divine Acceptance and Atonement: The most striking aspect of this verse is God's immediate and visible acceptance of David's offerings. The fire descending from heaven was a clear sign of divine approval, signifying that the sacrifices were effective in atoning for sin and turning away God's wrath. This mirrors other instances in biblical history where God consumed offerings by fire, such as with Elijah's sacrifice on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:38).
  • Repentance and Forgiveness: David's actions—building the altar, offering sacrifices, and calling upon the LORD—were a demonstration of his profound repentance for his sin (1 Chronicles 21:8). God's response by fire underscores His readiness to forgive when His people turn to Him with sincere hearts and obedient actions.
  • Sanctification of a Holy Site: The location of Ornan's threshing floor was supernaturally designated as holy ground through this event. It became the chosen place for God's permanent dwelling among His people, the future site of Solomon's Temple, and traditionally identified with Mount Moriah, where Abraham offered Isaac (Genesis 22:2).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text mentions "burnt offerings" and "peace offerings." In Hebrew, "burnt offerings" are 'olah (עֹלָה), meaning "that which ascends," as the entire animal was consumed by fire and ascended to God as a pleasing aroma, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement. "Peace offerings" are shelamim (שְׁלָמִים), derived from the root shalom, meaning "peace." These offerings were typically shared between God, the priest, and the worshiper, signifying fellowship, communion, and thanksgiving with the Lord.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today:

  • The Efficacy of Sincere Repentance: Just as God responded to David's genuine repentance and sacrifice, He continues to be faithful to forgive those who confess their sins and turn to Him (1 John 1:9).
  • Obedience Leads to Divine Favor: David's immediate obedience to God's instruction was met with a clear sign of God's favor and the cessation of judgment. Our obedience, even when costly, can bring about God's blessings and intervention in our lives.
  • The Importance of Designated Worship: While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principle of setting aside specific times and places for devoted worship and communion with God remains vital. Every act of worship, prayer, and selfless service offered in faith is a pleasing sacrifice to God.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 9:24 (6 votes)

    And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: [which] when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

  • Judges 6:21 (5 votes)

    Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that [was] in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

  • 1 Kings 18:38 (3 votes)

    Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that [was] in the trench.

  • Proverbs 15:8 (3 votes)

    ¶ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.

  • Psalms 51:15 (2 votes)

    O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

  • Judges 13:20 (2 votes)

    For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on [it], and fell on their faces to the ground.

  • Psalms 91:15 (2 votes)

    He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.