1 Chronicles 21:28

KJV

At that time when David saw that the LORD had answered him in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there.

KJV (with Strong's)

At that time {H6256} when David {H1732} saw {H7200} that the LORD {H3068} had answered {H6030} him in the threshingfloor {H1637} of Ornan {H771} the Jebusite {H2983}, then he sacrificed {H2076} there.

Complete Jewish Bible

When David saw that ADONAI had answered him at the threshing-floor of Ornan the Y'vusi, he sacrificed there.

Berean Standard Bible

At that time, when David saw that the LORD had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he offered sacrifices there.

American Standard Version

At that time, when David saw that Jehovah had answered him in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 21:28 encapsulates a pivotal moment in David's reign, revealing God's tangible response to David's repentance and sacrifice. Having witnessed the Lord's clear cessation of the devastating plague at the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, David understood this site to be divinely consecrated. His immediate and ongoing act of sacrifice there solidified its status as a permanent, divinely appointed location for national worship, thereby laying the foundational groundwork for the future construction of the First Temple.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the concluding affirmation of a profound narrative sequence in David's life, immediately following the account of God's judgment upon Israel for David's unauthorized census, detailed in [1 Chronicles 21:1-8](/1_chronicles/21-1 "1 Chronicles 21:1-8 - David's Sinful Census"). The severe plague, a direct consequence of this sin, was divinely halted by the angel of the Lord at the threshingfloor of Ornan (who is also known as Araunah in the parallel account in [2 Samuel 24:16](/2_samuel/24-16 "2 Samuel 24:16 - Parallel Account of the Plague's Cessation")). Subsequently, the prophet Gad instructed David to construct an altar and offer sacrifices at this precise location ([1 Chronicles 21:18](/1_chronicles/21-18 "1 Chronicles 21:18 - Gad's Instruction to David")). The Lord's acceptance was unmistakably demonstrated by fire descending from heaven to consume the sacrifice and the angel being commanded to sheath his sword ([1 Chronicles 21:26-27](/1_chronicles/21-26 "1 Chronicles 21:26-27 - Fire from Heaven and Cessation of Plague")). Verse 28 captures David's profound comprehension of this divine validation, leading to his decision to establish this site for enduring worship, a choice that directly precedes the meticulous preparations for the Temple's construction in [1 Chronicles 22](/1_chronicles/22 "1 Chronicles 22 - David's Preparations for the Temple").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in this verse transpired during the zenith of King David's reign, a period characterized by the consolidation of the Israelite kingdom and the establishment of Jerusalem as its spiritual and political capital. A threshingfloor, culturally, was an ordinary, open-air agricultural area, typically elevated to catch the wind, used for separating grain from chaff through threshing and winnowing. Such utilitarian spaces were not inherently sacred. The profound significance lies in God's sovereign choice of this common, non-sacred ground, owned by Ornan, a Jebusite (one of the indigenous inhabitants of Jerusalem before Israelite conquest), to manifest His presence and accept atonement. This highlights God's ability to consecrate any place for His divine purposes. The act of sacrifice, particularly burnt offerings (symbolizing complete dedication) and peace offerings (representing fellowship and thanksgiving), was fundamental to Israelite worship. The descent of fire from heaven to consume the offering was an unequivocal sign of divine acceptance and approval, echoing similar instances of divine affirmation found in biblical accounts such as [Leviticus 9:24](/leviticus/9-24 "Leviticus 9:24 - Fire Consumes Sacrifice") and [1 Kings 18:38](/1_kings/18-38 "1 Kings 18:38 - Fire on Mount Carmel").

* **Key Themes:** The narrative in [1 Chronicles 21](/1_chronicles/21 "1 Chronicles 21 - David's Census and Atonement"), and specifically this verse, powerfully articulates several core theological themes. Foremost is the **sovereignty of God**, demonstrated in His initiation of both judgment and mercy—He sends the plague and then orchestrates its cessation. **Repentance and atonement** are central, as David's humble and obedient response to divine judgment leads directly to God's forgiveness and intervention. The **establishment of sacred space** is profoundly evident; an ordinary threshingfloor is miraculously transformed into a holy site through God's manifest presence and acceptance of sacrifice. This transformation underscores the theme of **divine consecration**, where God designates particular locations for encountering Him. Furthermore, the narrative emphasizes **obedience to divine instruction**, as David faithfully follows the prophet Gad's command to build an altar. Ultimately, this event serves as a crucial **foreshadowing of the Temple's construction**, as this very site would later become the permanent location for the House of the Lord, a fact explicitly affirmed in [2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Location of Solomon's Temple").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Answered (Hebrew, עָנָה, _‘anah'_):** This verb denotes a direct, often audible or observable, response or reply, particularly in the context of prayer, supplication, or a call for help. In this verse, it refers to God's tangible and decisive actions: the immediate cessation of the plague and the descent of fire from heaven upon David's sacrifice. It signifies not merely a verbal affirmation but a definitive, validating divine intervention, confirming His acceptance of David's atonement and His forgiveness.
* **Sacrificed (Hebrew, זָבַח, _zavach'_):** This primitive root signifies the act of slaughtering an animal, typically within a ritual context for an offering. It encompasses acts of worship, atonement for sin, and expressions of fellowship or thanksgiving. David's act of sacrificing "there" was a continuation and formalization of the worship initiated in response to the plague. It conveys a profound recognition of God's holiness, an act of propitiation for the nation's sin, and an expression of gratitude for divine deliverance.
* **Threshingfloor (Hebrew, גֹּרֶן, _goren'_):** While literally an open, level area used for separating grain from chaff, in this context, "threshingfloor" carries immense symbolic and theological weight. It represents an ordinary, utilitarian space that is supernaturally chosen and transformed by divine decree into a sacred site. Its transformation from common ground to holy ground signifies God's sovereign ability to consecrate the mundane for His holy purposes and to establish His presence in unexpected places, laying the groundwork for a permanent dwelling.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"At that time when David saw":** This opening phrase underscores David's direct, personal observation and profound comprehension of the divine event. It was not based on hearsay or mere belief, but on an undeniable, visual experience of God's intervention. David's discerning eye recognized the clear and powerful hand of the Lord at work.
* **"that the LORD had answered him":** This clause clarifies the specific nature of David's observation: God's affirmative and decisive response. This "answer" manifested primarily through two powerful signs: the immediate cessation of the devastating plague that had afflicted Israel, and the miraculous descent of fire from heaven to consume the sacrifices David offered, unequivocally signifying divine acceptance of his atonement.
* **"in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite":** This specifies the precise geographical location where God's answer was revealed and His mercy demonstrated. The threshingfloor, an ordinary agricultural site owned by a non-Israelite, became the unexpected focal point of divine intervention. This particularity emphasizes the precise nature of God's direction and the unique sanctity now attributed to this specific parcel of ground.
* **"then he sacrificed there":** This final clause describes David's immediate, obedient, and ongoing response to God's revelation. His act of sacrificing was not a one-time event merely to stop the plague, but a commitment to continued worship and offerings at the divinely designated site. It signifies a heart of profound gratitude and obedience, establishing a pattern of worship at the very place where God had revealed His mercy and presence.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning. **Symbolism** is profoundly present, as the "threshingfloor," an ordinary place of agricultural labor, is imbued with sacred meaning, symbolizing God's transformative power to consecrate the mundane into the holy. The implicit reference to the "fire from heaven" (from the preceding verse, which is the basis for God's "answer") functions as a powerful **theophany**, a visible manifestation of God, and a **symbol** of divine acceptance, purification, and judgment. The narrative also utilizes **foreshadowing**, as this specific location is implicitly designated as the future site for the Temple, a fact explicitly stated later in [2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Solomon Begins Building the Temple"). This creates a sense of divine purpose unfolding through history, connecting this immediate event to God's long-term plan for Israel's worship. Furthermore, the emphasis on David's "seeing" God's answer and his subsequent "sacrificing there" highlights a clear **cause-and-effect** relationship, demonstrating the critical importance of discerning God's actions and responding in immediate, obedient worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 21:28 profoundly illustrates God's complex character as both a righteous judge and a merciful redeemer. David's sin brought severe judgment upon Israel, but his humble repentance and obedient sacrifice evoked God's immediate and visible mercy. The Lord's "answer" by fire consuming the offering and the cessation of the plague underscored the efficacy of atonement and the accessibility of God's forgiveness when approached on His terms. This event consecrated a specific location, transforming it from a common threshingfloor into holy ground, signifying God's desire for a designated place where His people could draw near, offer propitiation for sin, and experience His presence. This divine choice of location was not arbitrary; it laid the theological and geographical groundwork for the permanent worship center of Israel, the Temple, emphasizing God's initiative in providing a means for reconciliation and fellowship with humanity.

* [Leviticus 9:24](/leviticus/9-24 "Leviticus 9:24 - Fire from the LORD Consumes Sacrifice")
* [2 Samuel 24:16-25](/2_samuel/24-16-25 "2 Samuel 24:16-25 - David's Altar at Araunah's Threshing Floor")
* [2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Solomon Begins Building the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's profound experience at Ornan's threshingfloor offers timeless and vital lessons for believers today. Just as David "saw that the LORD had answered him," we are called to cultivate a spiritual discernment that actively recognizes God's ongoing presence and intervention in our lives. God's answers may not always manifest as dramatically as fire from heaven, but they are consistently evident in His faithful provision, unwavering protection, clear guidance, and the cessation of spiritual or personal "plagues" that afflict us. Our appropriate response to such divine grace is not merely a sigh of relief, but an immediate, sustained, and heartfelt commitment to worship, gratitude, and obedience. David's continued sacrifice "there" signifies a deep commitment to ongoing devotion at the very place where God had revealed Himself in mercy. This narrative challenges us to identify our own "threshingfloors"—the ordinary, perhaps even difficult or unexpected, places and moments in our lives where God has met us with profound mercy and grace. These encounters should transform our daily existence into continuous acts of worship, turning mundane spaces into altars of remembrance and renewed commitment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I cultivate the spiritual discernment necessary to recognize and acknowledge God's "answers" to my prayers and needs in my daily life?**
* **What "ordinary" or unexpected places and moments in my personal journey has God transformed into sacred encounters, revealing His presence and mercy?**
* **In what practical and tangible ways can I offer "sacrifices" of worship, gratitude, and obedience in response to God's abundant mercy and deliverance in my life?**
* **How does David's immediate and ongoing commitment to worship at the divinely appointed site challenge my own consistency and faithfulness in devotion after experiencing God's grace?**

### FAQ
**Why was a threshingfloor chosen as the site for the altar and later the Temple?**

Answer: The threshingfloor of Ornan (also known as Araunah) the Jebusite was chosen as the site for David's altar and subsequently the Temple due to a direct divine designation. It was the precise location where the angel of the Lord stopped the devastating plague that had afflicted Israel because of David's sin, as detailed in [1 Chronicles 21:15-27](/1_chronicles/21-15-27 "1 Chronicles 21:15-27 - The Angel of the Lord at Ornan's Threshing Floor") and paralleled in [2 Samuel 24:16-25](/2_samuel/24-16-25 "2 Samuel 24:16-25 - David's Altar at Araunah's Threshing Floor"). This made it a site of both divine judgment and profound, visible mercy. It was the place where God's wrath was appeased and His forgiveness made manifest through accepted sacrifice. The fact that it was an ordinary, utilitarian space, not inherently sacred, underscores God's sovereignty; He can consecrate any place for His holy purposes. Furthermore, its elevated position on Mount Moriah would have made it a suitable and prominent site for a future national worship center.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 21:28, with its profound emphasis on a divinely appointed place of sacrifice and atonement, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's sacrifice at Ornan's threshingfloor, which brought about the cessation of divine judgment and the plague, powerfully foreshadows the singular, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Just as fire from heaven consumed David's offering as an undeniable sign of divine acceptance, God's ultimate "answer" to humanity's sin and the cessation of His righteous wrath is found in Christ's finished work on the cross. His sacrificial death was the complete atonement, rendering all subsequent animal sacrifices obsolete, as profoundly articulated in [Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice"). Moreover, the transformation of an ordinary threshingfloor into the sacred site for the Temple points to Christ Himself as the true Temple, the ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Destruction and Resurrection of the Temple")). Through Christ, believers are no longer bound to a physical location for worship but are empowered to worship the Father [in spirit and truth](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"), having direct and confident access to God's presence through His shed blood ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")). The ultimate "threshingfloor" of both judgment and mercy is the cross, where Christ bore the full weight of sin, and through His victorious resurrection, established the new and living way to God.

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.