2 Samuel 24:23

KJV

All these [things] did Araunah, [as] a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

All these things did Araunah {H728}, as a king {H4428}, give {H5414} unto the king {H4428}. And Araunah {H728} said {H559} unto the king {H4428}, The LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} accept {H7521} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

All this, O king, Aravnah gives to the king."Then Aravnah said to the king, "May ADONAI your God accept you."

Berean Standard Bible

O king, Araunah gives all these to the king.” He also said to the king, “May the LORD your God accept you.”

American Standard Version

all this, O king, doth Araunah give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, Jehovah thy God accept thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 24:23 concludes Araunah's extraordinary offer to King David, providing all necessary materials for an altar and sacrifice to the LORD, and includes his heartfelt blessing for David's offering to be accepted. This pivotal verse highlights Araunah's kingly generosity, the theological necessity of divine acceptance in worship, and implicitly points to the sacred significance of the threshingfloor that would later become the site of God's Temple in Jerusalem, marking a moment of divine mercy and the cessation of a devastating plague.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands at the climax of the narrative detailing David's unauthorized census, an act of pride that incurred God's wrath and resulted in a devastating plague upon Israel, claiming seventy thousand lives ([2 Samuel 24:15](/2_samuel/24-15 "2 Samuel 24:15 - The Plague on Israel")). In response to David's deep repentance and confession of sin ([2 Samuel 24:10](/2_samuel/24-10 "2 Samuel 24:10 - David's Confession of Sin")), the prophet Gad was sent with divine instruction for David to build an altar to the LORD on the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite ([2 Samuel 24:18](/2_samuel/24-18 "2 Samuel 24:18 - Gad's Instruction to David")). When David arrived, Araunah, a resident Jebusite chieftain or landowner, immediately offered to give David everything needed for the sacrifice—the oxen for the burnt offering, and the threshing instruments and yokes for wood ([2 Samuel 24:22](/2_samuel/24-22 "2 Samuel 24:22 - Araunah's Generous Offer")). Verse 23 confirms this immense generosity and Araunah's accompanying blessing, setting the stage for David's principled refusal to offer to the LORD that which cost him nothing ([2 Samuel 24:24](/2_samuel/24-24 "2 Samuel 24:24 - David's Principle of Sacrifice")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, which David had recently conquered from the Jebusites, making it his capital. Araunah (also known as Ornan in [1 Chronicles 21](/1_chronicles/21 "1 Chronicles 21 - David's Census and Plague")) was a Jebusite, indicating that not all original inhabitants were expelled or annihilated; some, like Araunah, maintained significant landholdings and perhaps even a degree of local authority. Threshingfloors were typically elevated, open-air spaces, often on hilltops, where wind could aid in separating grain from chaff. Such locations were sometimes considered neutral or sacred ground, making them suitable for altars. The act of offering sacrifice was central to Israelite worship, a means of atonement, thanksgiving, and communion with God. Araunah's understanding of "the LORD thy God" suggests a familiarity with Israel's God, possibly indicating a respect for or even a conversion to the worship of Yahweh, or at least a recognition of David's God as supreme in this context. His magnanimity reflects a cultural expectation of hospitality and respect for a king, especially one seeking to appease divine wrath.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in 2 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, as God's wrath is poured out due to David's sin, yet He provides a means for atonement and cessation of the plague. Secondly, the theme of **Repentance and Atonement** is central, as David's contrite heart leads to divine instruction for sacrifice, which is then graciously facilitated. Thirdly, **Generosity and True Worship** are highlighted through Araunah's unparalleled offer, which contrasts with David's conviction that genuine worship requires personal cost ([2 Samuel 24:24](/2_samuel/24-24 "2 Samuel 24:24 - David's Refusal to Offer What Costs Nothing")). Finally, and most profoundly, the verse establishes the **Significance of the Temple Site**. The threshingfloor of Araunah is divinely chosen as the location where David builds an altar and where the plague ceases, foreshadowing its future role as the permanent site of the First Temple built by Solomon ([2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Solomon Builds the Temple")). This ground, consecrated by divine intervention and acceptable sacrifice, becomes the sacred center of Israelite worship for centuries.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **אֲרַוְנָה (Hebrew, _'Arawnah'_):** This name refers to the Jebusite owner of the threshingfloor. His identity is crucial, as he is not an Israelite, yet he demonstrates profound generosity and a recognition of "the LORD thy God." His willingness to give everything, even as a non-Israelite, highlights the universal nature of God's redemptive plan and the potential for outsiders to participate in sacred acts. The alternative spelling "Ornan" in Chronicles suggests a slight dialectal variation or transcription.
* **כַּמֶּלֶךְ (Hebrew, _kammèlèḵ'_):** Translated as "[as] a king" or "like a king." The prefix 'כַּ' (ka-) means "as" or "like." This phrase is open to two primary interpretations: (1) Araunah himself was a Jebusite king or chieftain, indicating his inherent authority and ownership of the land and resources, thus giving from a position of royalty. (2) More commonly, it signifies the **magnanimous, kingly manner** in which he gave. He did not give grudgingly or sparingly, but with the abundance, dignity, and authority befitting a king, demonstrating extraordinary generosity and noble spirit. This latter interpretation emphasizes the quality of his giving rather than necessarily his formal political title.
* **יְקַבֵּל (Hebrew, _yəqabbēl'_):** The verb "accept" (from the root קבל, _qabal_). This word carries significant theological weight. It refers to God's favorable reception of an offering or prayer. For a sacrifice to be effective and achieve its purpose (e.g., atonement, cessation of plague), it must be "accepted" by God, signifying His pleasure and approval. Araunah's prayer for acceptance reflects a deep understanding of the spiritual prerequisite for effective worship – it is not merely the act, but God's gracious reception of it, which validates the offering and brings about its desired outcome.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All these [things] did Araunah, [as] a king, give unto the king."**: This clause emphasizes the completeness and generosity of Araunah's offer. "All these [things]" refers to the oxen, threshing sledges, and yokes mentioned in the preceding verse, which were necessary for the burnt offering and the wood for the fire. The repetition of "king" (referring to Araunah, then David) underscores the regal nature of the transaction. Whether Araunah was literally a king or merely acted with kingly magnanimity, his gift was immense, unreserved, and freely given to King David, demonstrating a profound respect for David and his mission to appease God. This contrasts sharply with the typical expectation of purchasing such valuable assets, highlighting Araunah's exceptional character.
* **"And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee."**: This second clause reveals Araunah's spiritual insight and benevolent heart. His words are a prayer or blessing, expressing a sincere desire for David's offering to be pleasing and effective in the sight of God. The phrase "The LORD thy God" indicates Araunah's recognition of Yahweh as David's deity, and by extension, the God who has brought the plague and can remove it. His concern is not merely for David's well-being but for the divine acceptance of the sacrifice, which is the ultimate goal of any offering to God. This demonstrates a shared understanding of the need for divine favor and the efficacy of proper worship.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. **Characterization** is prominent, painting Araunah as an exceptionally generous and spiritually aware individual, despite being a Jebusite. His actions and words reveal a noble spirit, willing to give freely and desiring divine favor for David. The phrase "[as] a king" functions as a **Simile** (or perhaps a statement of his actual status), emphasizing the quality and scale of his giving. The **Repetition** of "king" (referring to Araunah and David) subtly elevates the significance of the exchange, portraying it as a transaction between two figures of authority, one earthly and one divinely appointed. Furthermore, the entire narrative context leading to this verse, and this verse specifically, serves as **Foreshadowing**. The threshingfloor, consecrated by this altar and sacrifice, becomes the future site of the Temple, the permanent dwelling place for God's presence among His people. This divine choice of location, initiated by an act of atonement, imbues the place with profound **Symbolism** as a locus of reconciliation and worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 24:23 is rich with theological implications, primarily centering on the nature of acceptable sacrifice and the significance of God's chosen dwelling place. Araunah's profound generosity, coupled with his prayer for divine acceptance, underscores that true worship is not merely about the ritual, but about the heart and the intention behind the offering, seeking God's favor. This acceptance is crucial for the efficacy of the sacrifice in averting divine judgment. The narrative also powerfully demonstrates God's mercy; even in judgment, He provides a path to reconciliation through repentance and atonement. The cessation of the plague at this specific site, marked by an altar and an accepted offering, divinely designates it as a sacred space, foreshadowing its future role as the Temple Mount—a place where heaven and earth meet, and where God's presence would dwell among His people.

* [Genesis 4:4-5](/genesis/4-4 "Genesis 4:4-5 - Cain and Abel's Offerings")
* [1 Chronicles 21:26](/1_chronicles/21-26 "1 Chronicles 21:26 - Fire from Heaven on the Altar")
* [Psalm 51:16-17](/psalm/51-16 "Psalm 51:16-17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Araunah's response to King David's need for a place of sacrifice offers a profound lesson in radical generosity and the posture of true worship. In a moment of national crisis, Araunah did not cling to his possessions but offered everything freely, even praying for divine acceptance of David's offering. This challenges us to consider our own willingness to give to God and His work, not out of obligation or grudgingly, but with a cheerful and open heart, seeking His glory above our own gain. It reminds us that our acts of service, worship, and giving are ultimately directed towards God, and their value is measured not by their material cost, but by the sincerity of our hearts and God's gracious acceptance. Furthermore, the narrative highlights God's responsiveness to genuine repentance and His provision of a means for reconciliation. When we turn to God in humility, confess our sins, and seek His mercy, He provides a way for atonement and restoration, often in unexpected places and through unexpected people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Araunah's generosity challenge my own understanding and practice of giving to God?**
* **What does Araunah's prayer, "The LORD thy God accept thee," reveal about the essential nature of true worship?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be holding back from God, rather than offering "all these things" freely?**
* **How does the story of the plague's cessation at Araunah's threshingfloor speak to God's mercy and His provision for atonement in my life?**

### FAQ

**Who was Araunah, and why was his threshingfloor so significant?**

Answer: Araunah was a Jebusite, one of the original inhabitants of Jerusalem before David conquered the city. He was a landowner, possibly a chieftain or even a former king of the Jebusites, given the phrase "[as] a king" in the verse. His threshingfloor was significant because it was the divinely appointed location where David was commanded to build an altar to the LORD to stop the devastating plague that afflicted Israel due to David's unauthorized census ([2 Samuel 24:18](/2_samuel/24-18 "2 Samuel 24:18 - Gad's Instruction to David")). This specific site, where God's judgment ceased and an acceptable sacrifice was offered, later became the sacred ground upon which Solomon built the First Temple ([2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - The Temple Site")). It was a place where God's mercy was displayed and where His presence would dwell.

**Why did Araunah offer to give everything for free, and why did David refuse?**

Answer: Araunah's offer to give the oxen, threshing instruments, and wood for the sacrifice freely ([2 Samuel 24:22](/2_samuel/24-22 "2 Samuel 24:22 - Araunah's Generous Offer")) demonstrates extraordinary generosity and perhaps a recognition of David's divine mandate. He acted with a "kingly" magnanimity, willing to provide all that was needed for an urgent national atonement. However, David refused to accept the materials for free, stating, "Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing" ([2 Samuel 24:24](/2_samuel/24-24 "2 Samuel 24:24 - David's Principle of Sacrifice")). David understood that a true sacrifice, particularly one for atonement, must involve personal cost and effort. It was not merely about the ritual, but about the heart of the worshiper, demonstrating genuine repentance and a willingness to give something of value to God. Offering something that cost him nothing would diminish the sincerity and spiritual weight of the sacrifice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of 2 Samuel 24:23, culminating in an acceptable sacrifice on Araunah's threshingfloor, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. David's sin brought judgment, necessitating an altar and atonement to appease God's wrath, a temporary solution that pointed to a greater reality. Just as the plague ceased at the threshingfloor, so too does the judgment for sin cease for those who trust in Christ. The "kingly" generosity of Araunah, giving "all these things" for the sacrifice, finds its supreme fulfillment in the **King of Kings**, Jesus, who did not merely give material possessions but gave **Himself** as the ultimate, costly sacrifice for the sins of the world ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). His sacrifice on the cross, the true altar, was not merely "accepted" by God, but was divinely ordained and perfectly efficacious, once for all ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). The threshingfloor, a place of separation and purification, where grain is separated from chaff, symbolically points to Christ's work of separating believers from the condemnation of sin. The site becoming the Temple Mount, the place of God's dwelling, prefigures Christ as the true Temple, in whom God dwells fully and through whom we have access to the Father ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple"); [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone")). Thus, 2 Samuel 24:23, with its themes of costly sacrifice, divine acceptance, and a chosen place of atonement, ultimately directs our gaze to the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of 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.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 20:40

For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.

Ezekiel 20:41

I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.

Romans 15:30

¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me;

Romans 15:31

That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which [I have] for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

Isaiah 60:7

All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.

Hosea 8:13

They sacrifice flesh [for] the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat [it; but] the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

Psalms 20:3

Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.