What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 24:22? Araunah said to David Araunah, the Jebusite landowner, meets David at the threshing floor where the LORD has directed the king to build an altar (2 Samuel 24:18–19). His immediate address shows: • Recognition of David’s God-given authority (cf. 1 Chronicles 21:21) • A respectful, willing spirit that mirrors earlier examples of honor toward leaders, such as Abigail toward David (1 Samuel 25:23–24) • The dramatic contrast between David’s earlier census-driven pride (2 Samuel 24:1–10) and Araunah’s humble readiness to serve God’s purposes May my lord the king take whatever seems good to him and offer it up Araunah offers unconditional generosity: • “Whatever seems good” reveals trust in David’s discernment under God (Proverbs 3:5–6) • A voluntary gift that echoes the freewill offerings God desires (Exodus 25:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7) • An immediate path to obedience—no delay, no negotiation (contrast Genesis 23:13 where Abraham insists on paying for Ephron’s field) • Foreshadows Christ-like self-giving; see the centurion’s “Just say the word” posture toward Jesus (Matthew 8:8) Here are the oxen for a burnt offering and the threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood Araunah supplies everything required for sacrifice: • Oxen—costly animals suitable for a “male without blemish” burnt offering (Leviticus 1:3–9) • Threshing sledges and yokes—wood for the fire, paralleling Isaac carrying wood in Genesis 22:6 and Elijah’s sacrifice prepared with twelve stones and wood in 1 Kings 18:23 • The completeness of the provision underscores that worship must be total, not partial (Romans 12:1) • Yet David will soon insist on paying (2 Samuel 24:24), teaching that true worship costs the worshiper personally (Psalm 51:17) summary 2 Samuel 24:22 records Araunah’s wholehearted offer: livestock, wood, and place—everything needed for an atoning sacrifice. His humility and generosity set the stage for David’s insistence on costly obedience, illustrating that acceptable worship combines willing provision and personal sacrifice, all under the sovereign guidance of God’s word. |
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