What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 21:26? And there he built an altar to the LORD • David had sinned by ordering the census; when the angel paused at Ornan’s threshing floor, the prophet Gad told David, “Go up and build an altar to the LORD” (1 Chronicles 21:18–19). • David’s quick obedience shows genuine repentance; like Noah (Genesis 8:20) and Abraham (Genesis 12:7), he expresses faith through constructing an altar. • The location matters: this same ridge becomes the Temple Mount (2 Chronicles 3:1), foreshadowing generations of worship in Jerusalem. and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings • Burnt offering—completely consumed, signifying total surrender and atonement (Leviticus 1:4, 9). After the census, David needs cleansing (1 Chronicles 21:8). • Peace (fellowship) offering—shared meal celebrating reconciliation (Leviticus 3:1; 7:15). Once sin is covered, communion is restored. • Together they picture the full work of Christ, “who loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). He called upon the LORD • Sacrifice is joined to prayer; David “called to the LORD” earlier for mercy (1 Chronicles 21:17), and now he seeks confirmation of forgiveness. • Scripture repeatedly links calling with deliverance—“In my distress I called upon the LORD… and He heard my voice” (Psalm 18:6); “Call to Me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3). • True worship engages heart and voice, not ritual alone. who answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering • Fire from heaven signals divine approval: Moses and Aaron (Leviticus 9:24), Gideon (Judges 6:21), Elijah (1 Kings 18:38), Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:1) all experienced this sign. • God’s fire ends the plague—“The LORD commanded the angel, and he put his sword back” (1 Chronicles 21:27). Judgment yields to mercy once atonement is accepted. • The moment anticipates the ultimate “once for all” sacrifice; just as heaven’s fire fell here, wrath fell on Christ at the cross, securing eternal peace for believers (Romans 5:1). summary 1 Chronicles 21:26 records David’s obedient response to sin: he builds an altar, presents burnt and peace offerings, prays, and receives unmistakable assurance of forgiveness when God answers with fire. The passage affirms that genuine repentance expresses itself in obedient worship, that atonement opens the way to fellowship, and that God gladly confirms His mercy. The threshing floor becomes the future Temple site, pointing ahead to the greater sacrifice of Jesus, through whom God’s judgment is satisfied and peace with Him is eternally secured. |
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