How does David's altar in 1 Chronicles 21:28 demonstrate true repentance?

Setting the Scene

• 1 Chronicles 21 recounts David’s sinful census, God’s judgment by plague, and the command—delivered through Gad—to “build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite” (21:18).

• Verse 28 captures the turning point: “At that time, when David saw that the LORD had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he offered sacrifices there”.

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Marks of True Repentance Shown at the Altar

• Heartfelt admission of guilt

– “I have sinned greatly by doing this… I have acted very foolishly” (1 Chronicles 21:8).

– Repentance begins with sober, unvarnished confession (cf. Psalm 51:4).

• Immediate obedience to revealed truth

– Gad’s instruction was clear; David “went up at the word of Gad” (1 Chronicles 21:19).

– Genuine repentance does not delay when God’s will is known (cf. James 1:22).

• Willingness to pay the full cost

– David insisted on purchasing the site: “I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).

– Sacrificial giving evidences a repentant heart that withholds nothing (Romans 12:1).

• Substitutionary sacrifice offered in faith

– Burnt and peace offerings acknowledged that atonement requires innocent blood (Leviticus 17:11).

– David trusted God’s provision rather than human schemes to remove guilt (Hebrews 9:22).

• Public restoration of worship

– The altar became a focal point for the nation; repentance is never merely private.

– Later, this very site became the temple mount (2 Chronicles 3:1), showing lasting fruit of repentance.

• Divine confirmation

– Fire from heaven consumed the offerings (1 Chronicles 21:26), and the plague stopped.

– God’s response authenticated David’s sincerity and assured forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

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Practical Takeaways

• Confess sin plainly—no excuses, no blame shifting.

• Obey God’s Word promptly; delay undermines repentance.

• Let repentance cost something—time, resources, reputation—whatever God asks.

• Approach God through the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, foreshadowed by David’s offerings (Hebrews 10:12).

• Make restitution and restore what sin damaged; genuine repentance blesses others.

David’s altar stands as a vivid portrait of repentance that is humble, obedient, costly, faith-filled, and confirmed by God’s gracious acceptance.