2 Samuel 24:23

2 Samuel 24:23 marks a pivotal moment in King David's reign, highlighting the generosity of Araunah and the spiritual significance of the location that would become the site of God's Temple in Jerusalem. This verse concludes Araunah's offer to King David, providing all necessary materials for a sacrifice, and includes his heartfelt blessing.

Context

This verse is found at the culmination of a narrative detailing David's unauthorized census, which incurred God's wrath and resulted in a devastating plague upon Israel (2 Samuel 24:15). In response to David's repentance (2 Samuel 24:10) and under divine instruction delivered by the prophet Gad, David was commanded to build an altar to the LORD on the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite (2 Samuel 24:18). When David arrived, Araunah, a resident Jebusite chieftain or landowner, immediately offered to give David everything for the sacrifice—the oxen for the burnt offering, and the threshing instruments and yokes for wood (2 Samuel 24:22). This verse confirms Araunah's extraordinary generosity.

Meaning of the Verse

The phrase "All these [things] did Araunah, [as] a king, give unto the king" emphasizes the immense and immediate generosity of Araunah. The inclusion of "[as] a king" is significant. It could mean Araunah acted with kingly magnanimity, demonstrating a noble and selfless spirit befitting royalty. Alternatively, some interpretations suggest Araunah himself might have been a Jebusite chieftain or king of the area before David conquered Jerusalem, thus highlighting his inherent authority and ownership.

Araunah's subsequent words, "The LORD thy God accept thee," express a sincere blessing and a desire for David's offering to be pleasing and effective in the sight of God. This reflects a recognition of David's mission to appease God's wrath and a shared understanding of the need for divine acceptance in worship.

Key Themes

• Extraordinary Generosity: Araunah's willingness to give everything needed for the sacrifice without cost exemplifies profound generosity, especially considering David intended to purchase the land. This contrasts with David's principle of not offering to the LORD that which costs him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24).
• Divine Acceptance: Araunah's blessing underscores the crucial theological concept of God's acceptance of offerings. For sacrifices to be efficacious, they must be received favorably by God, indicating His pleasure and the atonement of sins.
• Significance of Location: The threshingfloor of Araunah, later known as Ornan, became the sacred site where Solomon would build the First Temple (2 Chronicles 3:1). This ground, consecrated by David's altar and the cessation of the plague, was divinely chosen as a permanent place of worship and divine presence. Fire from heaven confirming the sacrifice on this spot is recorded in 1 Chronicles 21:26.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "as a king" is kammèlèḵ (כַּמֶּלֶךְ). The prefix 'ka-' means 'as' or 'like'. This term strongly suggests either Araunah's royal status or, more commonly interpreted, the magnanimous, kingly manner in which he presented his gifts. He gave not grudgingly, but with the abundance and authority of a ruler.

Practical Application

This verse teaches us about the posture of true generosity in giving to God and His work. Araunah's unreserved offer serves as an example of giving cheerfully and abundantly. Furthermore, it reminds us that our acts of worship and service should always be offered with a desire for God's acceptance, seeking to honor Him above all else. The story also highlights God's mercy in hearing prayer and stopping judgment when His people turn to Him in repentance and offer acceptable sacrifice.