TRV
King James Version
And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
KJV (with Strong's)
And the king H4428 said H559 unto Araunah H728, Nay; but I will surely H7069 buy H7069 it of thee at a price H4242: neither will I offer H5927 burnt offerings H5930 unto the LORD H3068 my God H430 of that which doth cost me nothing H2600. So David H1732 bought H7069 the threshingfloor H1637 and the oxen H1241 for fifty H2572 shekels H8255 of silver H3701.
Complete Jewish Bible
But the king said to Aravnah, "No; I insist on buying it from you at a price. I refuse to offer to ADONAI my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."So David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for one-and-a-quarter pounds of silver shekels.
Berean Standard Bible
“No,” replied the king, “I insist on paying a price, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
American Standard Version
And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will verily buy it of thee at a price; neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto Jehovah my God which cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
World English Bible Messianic
The king said to Araunah, “No; but I will most certainly buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then the King saide vnto Araunah, Not so, but I will bye it of thee at a price, and will not offer burnt offring vnto ye Lord my God of that which doeth cost me nothing. So Dauid bought the threshing floore, and the oxen for fiftie shekels of siluer.
Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith unto Araunah, `Nay, for I do surely buy from thee for a price, and I do not cause to ascend to Jehovah my God burnt-offerings for nought;' and David buyeth the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver,
Deutsch · Schlachter
Aber der König sprach zu Aravna: Nicht also, sondern ich will es dir abkaufen gemäß seinem Werte; denn ich will dem HERRN, meinem Gott, kein Brandopfer darbringen, das mich nichts kostet. Also kaufte David die Tenne und die Rinder um fünfzig Schekel Silber.
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Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
Therefore, the king himself offered blessed David the threshing floor and oxen for a burnt offering, but King David refused to accept them without first paying a price. This, too, was fulfilled at the coming of our Lord and Savior, for he refused to take the hearts of the Gentiles for himself without first giving his precious blood for them. What, then, did he give? “Fifty shekels of silver,” it says. In the number fifty the grace of the Holy Spirit is understood and the remission of sins is designated. Indeed, on the fiftieth day the Holy Spirit was sent to the apostles, and in the Old Testament the fiftieth year was dedicated to forgiveness and pardon. That David, to be sure, gave silver; our David, whose type the other prefigured, shed his precious blood. Thus, in order to buy the pagan king’s threshing floor David offered fifty shekels; in order to build an altar to himself on the threshing floor of the Gentiles Christ, the true David, gave the grace of the Holy Spirit and forgiveness of sins on the fiftieth day. Therefore, brothers, since he has deigned to make a temple for himself in us and out of us, let him not suffer any insult in his home. If he does suffer injury because of our sins, he quickly withdraws, and woe to the unhappy soul from which he departs. Doubtless, if one is deserted by the light he will be seized by darkness. For this reason let us with his aid endeavor so to live that we may merit to have the good Lord not only as our guest but as a perpetual inhabitant: with the help of our same Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory together with the Father and the Holy Spirit world without end. Amen.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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Summary
2 Samuel 24:24 captures King David's profound theological conviction that genuine worship and acceptable sacrifice to the Lord must involve personal cost and investment. Refusing to offer burnt offerings from that which cost him nothing, David insists on purchasing Araunah's threshingfloor and oxen, thereby establishing a foundational principle that true devotion is demonstrated through sacrificial giving, whether of resources, time, or self, setting a powerful precedent for authentic engagement with God.
Context
Literary Context
This pivotal verse serves as the climax and resolution to the narrative of David's unauthorized census, which commences in 2 Samuel 24:1. Driven by what is implied to be pride or a lack of trust in God's sovereign provision, David commands Joab to number the fighting men of Israel and Judah. This act incurs the Lord's righteous wrath, leading to a devastating plague that claims 70,000 lives (2 Samuel 24:15). David, deeply repentant and burdened by the consequences of his sin, confesses his transgression and pleads for the plague to cease (2 Samuel 24:17). The prophet Gad then delivers a divine instruction to David: he is to ascend to the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite and build an altar there to atone for the sin (2 Samuel 24:18-19). When Araunah, recognizing the king's distress and the divine context, generously offers the land, oxen, and wood for free, David's resolute refusal in verse 24 highlights his conviction that a truly acceptable sacrifice must involve personal expense, not merely convenience or charity. The narrative concludes with David's costly purchase and the immediate cessation of the plague (2 Samuel 24:25).
Historical & Cultural Context
The setting for this profound exchange is Jerusalem, specifically the threshingfloor of Araunah, a Jebusite who, even after David's conquest of the city, likely retained significant land rights and a position of respect. Threshingfloors were typically elevated, open areas, often situated on hilltops, where grain could be threshed, and the chaff separated by the wind. Their elevated and exposed nature made them naturally suitable locations for altars, as the smoke from sacrifices would ascend unimpeded to the heavens. David's census, while seemingly a practical administrative act, was problematic because it reflected a reliance on human strength and military might rather than on God's power and covenant promises. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a king's strength was often measured by the size of his army, but for Israel, the unique covenant nation, reliance on Yahweh was paramount. The plague was a direct divine judgment, a common form of divine discipline in the Old Testament, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over life and death. Araunah's offer of the land and animals for free was a culturally appropriate gesture of profound respect and generosity towards the king, yet David's refusal transcends mere social custom, revealing a deeper theological understanding of the nature of true sacrifice.
Key Themes
The central and most prominent theme in 2 Samuel 24:24 is The Nature of True Sacrifice. David's unequivocal declaration, "neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing," profoundly articulates that genuine worship and atonement necessitate personal investment and tangible cost. This principle stands in stark contrast to superficial or convenient acts of devotion, emphasizing that God values the heart, sincerity, and willingness behind the offering, not just the offering itself. It underscores that a sacrifice without personal cost diminishes its spiritual significance. Another crucial theme is Repentance and Atonement. David's sin of the census, his deep remorse, and his subsequent costly act of obedience in building the altar and offering sacrifices demonstrate a divinely ordained path to forgiveness and the cessation of judgment. This narrative illustrates that true repentance often involves tangible, costly actions that demonstrate a turning from sin. Finally, Divine Sovereignty and Grace are powerfully evident. While God brings judgment as a consequence of sin, He also graciously provides the means for atonement and the cessation of wrath through the prophet's instruction and David's obedient response, showcasing His ultimate control and His willingness to extend mercy when His people humbly turn to Him. This event also holds immense prophetic significance, as this very threshingfloor would later become the sacred site for Solomon's magnificent Temple, a permanent place of costly worship and sacrifice for the nation.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H5930), derived from the root ʿālāh (עָלָה), meaning "to go up" or "ascend," refers to a specific type of sacrifice where the entire animal (except for the hide, which went to the priest) was consumed by fire on the altar, with the smoke ascending to God. It symbolized complete dedication, consecration, and atonement for sin. David's insistence on paying for the animals for this particular type of offering underscores his desire for a total, unreserved act of devotion and propitiation for his grave sin, signifying that nothing less than a full, costly surrender was appropriate.
The word ḥinnām (H2600) means "for nothing," "freely," "without cause," or "gratis." David's use of this phrase highlights his theological conviction that an offering given without personal sacrifice or expense lacked the sincerity, integrity, and spiritual weight required for true worship before God. It implies that a "free" offering would diminish the act of worship, turning it into a mere formality rather than a heartfelt expression of repentance and devotion. The value of the sacrifice, in David's view, was tied not just to the object itself, but profoundly to the cost incurred by the worshiper.
The verb qānāh (H7069) means "to acquire," "to buy," or "to purchase." David's deliberate choice to "buy" rather than accept a gift emphasizes his active participation, personal investment, and ownership in the act of worship. It signifies a transaction that involved a transfer of value and ownership, making the sacrifice truly his own. This act of purchasing underscores the principle that genuine worship is not passive reception but active, intentional, and often costly engagement, reflecting the worshiper's sincere commitment.
Verse Breakdown
"And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy [it] of thee at a price:"
This opening clause reveals David's firm resolve and unyielding theological conviction. Despite Araunah's generous and culturally appropriate offer to provide the threshingfloor and oxen for free, David unequivocally refuses. His insistence on purchasing the items "at a price" (בִּמְחִיר, bim'ḥîr) signifies his deep understanding that true sacrifice for atonement requires a tangible, personal cost. This refusal is not a rejection of Araunah's kindness, but a profound affirmation of a higher spiritual principle concerning the nature of acceptable worship and repentance before a holy God.
"neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing."
This is the heart of David's declaration and the core theological message of the verse, articulating a timeless principle. David powerfully states that a sacrifice without personal cost is an inadequate, insincere, or even invalid offering to God. For David, the spiritual efficacy and sincerity of the offering were intrinsically linked to the personal sacrifice involved. To offer something that cost him nothing would be to diminish the gravity of his sin, the holiness of God, and the sincerity of his repentance. This statement sets a profound precedent for all future acts of worship, emphasizing that genuine devotion is demonstrated through personal investment and sacrifice.
"So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
This concluding clause records David's immediate and obedient action, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the principle he just articulated. The specific price of "fifty shekels of silver" provides a concrete detail, highlighting the tangible cost David incurred. This act of purchase was not merely a financial transaction; it was a profound act of worship, a tangible expression of deep repentance, and a demonstration of faith that ultimately led to the cessation of the devastating plague (2 Samuel 24:25). This significant purchase also has immense historical and prophetic implications, as this very site would later become the hallowed location for the First Temple in Jerusalem.
Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant Literary Devices that enhance its theological impact. Contrast is prominently featured, highlighting the stark difference between Araunah's generous offer of a free gift and David's resolute insistence on paying a substantial price. This contrast powerfully underscores the theological weight of David's decision, emphasizing that for him, the act of worship and atonement transcended mere convenience or social etiquette. The phrase "cost me nothing" functions as a powerful Litotes, a rhetorical understatement that emphasizes the opposite: the sacrifice must indeed cost him something significant. This negative phrasing ("neither will I offer... of that which doth cost me nothing") powerfully conveys David's conviction about the absolute necessity of personal sacrifice. Furthermore, the narrative uses potent Symbolism: the threshingfloor, typically a place of agricultural labor and the separation of grain from chaff, is transformed into a sacred space for atonement and worship, symbolizing a profound transition from divine judgment to reconciliation and restoration. The act of purchasing and offering the sacrifice also serves as a Metonymy for David's genuine repentance and his earnest desire to re-establish a right relationship with God, where the physical act of costly giving stands for the deeper spiritual reality of a contrite heart.
Theological and Thematic Connections
David's profound declaration in 2 Samuel 24:24 establishes a timeless theological principle: true worship and genuine devotion are invariably characterized by personal cost and sacrifice. This is not merely about monetary expense, but about the giving of oneself—time, effort, resources, and even comfort—in sincere service and adoration of God. A "cost-nothing" offering, in David's view, lacks the sincerity, commitment, and reverence necessary for an acceptable sacrifice. This principle resonates throughout the biblical narrative, from the early laws of sacrifice in the Pentateuch to the teachings of the prophets and apostles, consistently affirming that God desires a willing heart and a costly commitment over mere ritual or convenience. It challenges believers in every age to examine the depth of their own worship and service, prompting the question of whether their faith truly demands anything of them, or if it remains comfortably within the bounds of what is easy or convenient.
Reflection and Application
David's refusal to offer a "cost-nothing" sacrifice provides a powerful and enduring challenge for believers in every generation. In an age where convenience is often prioritized, this verse calls us to a deeper, more demanding form of discipleship. True worship is not merely attendance at a service or the recitation of prayers; it is an act of costly self-giving that stems from a heart wholly devoted to God. This cost can manifest in various ways: the sacrifice of our precious time to serve others, the surrender of our comfort zones to share the Gospel, the disciplined and generous allocation of our financial resources to support God's work, or the humble submission of our wills to His divine leading. If our faith demands nothing of us, if it costs us no personal inconvenience, no significant effort, and no tangible resource, then we must honestly ask if it truly reflects the depth of devotion David exemplified. This verse invites us to examine our hearts and ensure that our offerings to God—whether in worship, service, or giving—are truly expressions of costly love and not merely convenient gestures or empty rituals.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was David's census considered a sin, warranting such severe judgment?
While the Bible doesn't explicitly state why the census was a sin, theological consensus points to several interconnected factors. It likely stemmed from David's pride and a misplaced trust in human strength and military numbers rather than in God's power and provision. In ancient Israel, a census was often associated with military conscription or taxation, and conducting one without divine command or for self-aggrandizement indicated a lack of humble reliance on God as the true source of Israel's strength and security. It could also have been an infringement on God's unique ownership of Israel, implying that David was taking stock of "his" people rather than God's covenant people. This act of self-reliance and potential pride, rather than humble dependence on the Lord, provoked divine wrath, leading to the devastating plague described in 2 Samuel 24:15.
What is the significance of Araunah's threshingfloor, and why is there a discrepancy in the purchase price with 1 Chronicles?
Araunah's threshingfloor is profoundly significant because it later became the sacred site where King Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 3:1). This transformation from a place of agricultural labor and divine judgment to the holiest site in Israel, where God's presence dwelt, powerfully underscores themes of atonement, reconciliation, and the establishment of true worship. Regarding the apparent price discrepancy, 2 Samuel 24:24 states David bought the threshingfloor and oxen for "fifty shekels of silver," whereas 1 Chronicles 21:25 states he paid "six hundred shekels of gold for the site." This is generally understood as referring to different scopes of purchase. In 2 Samuel, David buys only the threshingfloor and the oxen necessary for the immediate sacrifice. In 1 Chronicles, the larger sum of gold likely refers to the purchase of the entire "site" or "place" (מָקוֹם, maqom), a much larger area encompassing the threshingfloor, which would eventually become the expansive Temple Mount complex. Thus, the accounts are complementary, not contradictory, describing different stages or extents of the land acquisition for the future Temple.
Does David's statement mean God requires us to "pay" for our salvation or earn His favor through sacrifice?
Absolutely not. David's statement in 2 Samuel 24:24 is about the nature of worship and atonement under the Old Covenant, emphasizing the sincerity and commitment required in offering sacrifices for sin. It does not imply that salvation can be earned or that God's favor is merited by human effort. The Old Testament sacrificial system, while costly, always pointed forward to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which is freely given by God's grace. Our salvation is a gift received through faith in Christ's finished work, not through any merit or payment of our own (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, David's principle remains profoundly relevant for Christian living in that true discipleship and worship will always involve a personal "cost" in terms of self-denial, surrender, and obedient service as a grateful response to God's free gift of salvation (Luke 9:23). We are called to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1), which means giving our best to God, not what is convenient or "costs us nothing."
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
David's insistence on a costly sacrifice at Araunah's threshingfloor finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David understood that true atonement for sin could not be achieved by a "cost-nothing" offering; it demanded personal expense and a tangible price. This Old Testament principle powerfully foreshadows the immeasurable, infinite cost of the New Covenant sacrifice. While David paid fifty shekels of silver for the means of atonement for his people, Christ himself became the ultimate, unblemished Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!, offering His very life as the perfect propitiation for humanity's sin. His sacrifice was not merely costly, but infinite and perfect, involving the shedding of His precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). Unlike the animal sacrifices that had to be repeated, Christ's single offering on the cross was sufficient for all time, having been made "once for all" (Hebrews 9:11-14). He did not offer something that cost Him nothing; rather, He "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" and becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8). Therefore, our response to God is not to earn His favor through our own costly sacrifices, for the ultimate price has already been paid. Instead, our "cost" is now one of grateful, joyful surrender—presenting our entire lives as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1) in response to the immeasurable, free gift of salvation purchased at Christ's infinite cost.