TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 21 verses 18–30
We have here the controversy concluded, and, upon David's repentance, his peace made with God. Though thou wast angry with me, thy anger is turned away. 1. A stop was put to the progress of the execution, Ch1 21:15. When David repented of the sin God repented of the judgment, and ordered the destroying angel to stay his hand and sheath his sword, Ch1 21:27. 2. Direction was given to David to rear an altar in the threshing-floor of Ornan, Ch1 21:18. The angel commanded the prophet Gad to bring David this direction. The same angel that had, in God's name, carried on the war, is here forward to set on foot the treaty of peace; for angels do not desire the woeful day. The angel could have given this order to David himself; but he chose to do it by his seer, that he might put an honour upon the prophetic office. Thus the revelation of Jesus Christ was notified by the angel to John, and by him to the churches. The commanding of David to build an altar was a blessed token of reconciliation; for, if God had been pleased to kill him, he would not have appointed, because he would not have accepted, a sacrifice at his hands. 3. David immediately made a bargain with Ornan for the threshing-floor; for he would not serve God at other people's charge. Ornan generously offered it to him gratis, not only in complaisance to the king, but because he had himself seen the angel (Ch1 21:20), which so terrified him that he and his four sons hid themselves, as unable to bear the brightness of his glory and afraid of his drawn sword. Under these apprehensions he was willing to do anything towards making the atonement. Those that are duly sensible of the terrors of the Lord will do all they can, in their places, to promote religion, and encourage all the methods of reconciliation for the turning away of God's wrath. 4. God testified his acceptance of David's offerings on this altar; He answered him from heaven by fire, Ch1 21:26. To signify that God's anger was turned away from him, the fire that might justly have fastened upon the sinner fastened upon the sacrifice and consumed that; and, upon this, the destroying sword was returned into its sheath. Thus Christ was made sin and a curse for us, and it pleased the Lord to bruise him, that through him God might be to us, not a consuming fire, but a reconciled Father. 5. He continued to offer his sacrifices upon this altar. The brazen altar which Moses made was at Gibeon (Ch1 21:29), and there all the sacrifices of Israel were offered; but David was so terrified at the sight of the sword of the angel that he could not go thither, Ch1 21:30. The business required haste, when the plague was begun. Aaron must go quickly, nay, he must run, to make atonement, Num 16:46, Num 16:47. And the case here was no less urgent; so that David had not time to go to Gibeon: nor durst he leave the angel with his sword drawn over Jerusalem, lest the fatal stroke should be given before he came back. And therefore God, in tenderness to him, bade him build an altar in that place, dispensing with his own law concerning one altar because of the present distress, and accepting the sacrifices offered on this new altar, which was not set up in opposition to that, but in concurrence with it. The symbols of unity were not so much insisted on as unity itself. Nay, when the present distress was over (as it should seem), David, as long as he lived, sacrificed there, though the altar at Gibeon was still kept up; for God had owned the sacrifices that were here offered and had testified his acceptance of them, Ch1 21:28. On those administrations in which we have experienced the tokens of God's presence, and have found that he is with us of a truth, it is good to continue our attendance. "Here God had graciously met me, and therefore I will still expect to meet with him."
Continue studying 1 Chronicles 21:28 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
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. 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). Subsequently, the prophet Gad instructed David to construct an altar and offer sacrifices at this precise location (1 Chronicles 21:18). 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). 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.
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 and 1 Kings 18:38.
Key Themes: The narrative in 1 Chronicles 21, 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.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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. 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.
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
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 and paralleled in 2 Samuel 24:16-25. 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. 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. 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). Through Christ, believers are no longer bound to a physical location for worship but are empowered to worship the Father in spirit and truth, having direct and confident access to God's presence through His shed blood (Hebrews 10:19-22). 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.