How does David's request demonstrate obedience and repentance? Setting the Scene After David’s sinful census, the Lord struck Israel with a devastating plague (1 Chronicles 21:7–14). When David saw the angel poised over Jerusalem, he cried out in repentance (v. 17). God’s prophet Gad then delivered a clear directive: “Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.” (1 Chronicles 21:18) David’s movement toward Ornan—and his exact words in verse 22—reveal a heart that is both obedient and repentant. The Command Received • Gad’s instruction came “in the name of the LORD” (v. 19). • David “went up” immediately; no delay, argument, or bargaining. • Obedience begins with submitting to God’s revealed word, even when discipline is painful. Obedience Displayed in Verse 22 “Grant me the site of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar to the LORD on it. Sell it to me at the full price, so that the plague on the people may be halted.” (1 Chronicles 21:22) • Alignment with God’s directive—David’s request mirrors Gad’s exact instruction. • Quick action—he speaks before Ornan offers anything, showing urgency. • Full price—David insists on paying “the full price,” echoing his later words in the parallel account: “I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). • No shortcuts—true obedience refuses discounted devotion. Repentance Revealed • Focus on God—“that I may build an altar to the LORD,” not to display personal piety but to seek divine mercy. • Concern for others—“so that the plague on the people may be halted.” He desires relief for the nation he endangered. • Acceptance of guilt—verse 17 already recorded David’s confession, and verse 22 shows the corresponding action. • Willing sacrifice—paying full price demonstrates a heart that owns the cost of sin (Psalm 51:17; 1 Samuel 15:22). Fruit of Repentance • God answers—fire from heaven consumes the offering (1 Chronicles 21:26). • The plague is stopped (v. 27). • True repentance leads to restored fellowship and visible divine favor. Connections to the Wider Story • The purchased threshing floor becomes the future temple site (2 Chronicles 3:1). Obedient repentance paves the way for lasting worship. • The altar points forward to the perfect sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:10–12). • David’s costly offering foreshadows the ultimate cost God Himself would pay for sin. Personal Takeaways • Obedience is immediate, specific, and thorough. • Repentance embraces responsibility and acts to set things right, whatever the cost. • God honors heartfelt obedience with mercy, turning places of judgment into grounds for worship. |
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