2 Samuel 24:24

KJV

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.

Commentary

### 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](/2_samuel/24-1 "2 Samuel 24:1 - David's Census"). 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](/2_samuel/24-15 "2 Samuel 24:15 - The Plague Strikes Israel")). 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](/2_samuel/24-17 "2 Samuel 24:17 - David's Prayer of Repentance")). 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](/2_samuel/24-18-19 "2 Samuel 24:18-19 - Gad's Instruction to David")). 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](/2_samuel/24-25 "2 Samuel 24:25 - The Plague Ceases")).

* **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](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Solomon Builds the Temple"), a permanent place of costly worship and sacrifice for the nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burnt Offerings (Hebrew, _ʿōlāh'_):** 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.
* **Cost Me Nothing (Hebrew, _ḥinnām'_):** 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.
* **Bought (Hebrew, _qānāh'_):** 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](/2_samuel/24-25 "2 Samuel 24:25 - The Plague Ceases")). 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.

* [Leviticus 1:3-9](/leviticus/1-3-9 "Leviticus 1:3-9 - Laws of Burnt Offerings"): Details the requirements for burnt offerings, emphasizing that the animal must be without blemish and the worshiper must lay hands on it, signifying personal identification with the sacrifice and its cost.
* [Malachi 1:8](/malachi/1-8 "Malachi 1:8 - Unacceptable Sacrifices"): Condemns those who offer blemished, stolen, or sick animals as sacrifices, demonstrating God's rejection of offerings that cost the worshiper nothing or are of inferior quality, highlighting the importance of giving one's best.
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices"): Paul exhorts believers to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship," extending the concept of costly sacrifice beyond animals to one's entire life, emphasizing a total surrender.

### 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
* **What does "cost" truly mean in the context of your worship and service to God today, beyond monetary giving?**
* **In what specific areas of your life (time, talent, treasure, comfort, reputation) are you tempted to offer God that which costs you nothing?**
* **How does David's insistence on personal cost challenge your current understanding of genuine repentance and devotion?**
* **What specific, tangible steps can you take this week to ensure your worship and service reflect a true, personal sacrifice to the Lord, born of gratitude and love?**

### FAQ
**Why was David's census considered a sin, warranting such severe judgment?**

Answer: 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](/2_samuel/24-15 "2 Samuel 24:15 - The Plague Strikes Israel").

**What is the significance of Araunah's threshingfloor, and why is there a discrepancy in the purchase price with 1 Chronicles?**

Answer: 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](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Solomon Builds the Temple")). 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](/2_samuel/24-24 "2 Samuel 24:24 - David's Costly Sacrifice") states David bought the threshingfloor and oxen for "fifty shekels of silver," whereas [1 Chronicles 21:25](/1_chronicles/21-25 "1 Chronicles 21:25 - David's Purchase in Chronicles") 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?**

Answer: Absolutely not. David's statement in [2 Samuel 24:24](/2_samuel/24-24 "2 Samuel 24:24 - David's Costly Sacrifice") 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](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")). 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](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - Take Up Your Cross")). We are called to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), 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!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), 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](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Precious Blood")). 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](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). 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](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humiliation")). 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](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")) in response to the immeasurable, free gift of salvation purchased at Christ's infinite cost.

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

1 Chronicles 21:24

And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take [that] which [is] thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

1 Chronicles 21:25

So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.

Malachi 1:12

But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] polluted; and the fruit thereof, [even] his meat, [is] contemptible.

Malachi 1:14

But cursed [be] the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I [am] a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name [is] dreadful among the heathen.

Genesis 23:13

And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou [wilt give it], I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take [it] of me, and I will bury my dead there.

Romans 12:17

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

1 Chronicles 22:1

¶ Then David said, This [is] the house of the LORD God, and this [is] the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.