1 Chronicles 21:24

"No," replied King David, "I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for the LORD what belongs to you, nor will I offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing."

Study Bible

“No,” replied King David,

David refused Ornan’s generous offer even though he possessed royal authority. The king would not use his position to obtain for worship what another man had provided without cost. His decision displayed justice toward Ornan, a Jebusite living among Israel, and reverence toward the LORD who had halted the plague at this site.

Gen 14:22-23 But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,…
2Ki 5:15-16 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back…

“I insist on paying the full price,

David understood that the altar and its sacrifices must come from his own resources. Ornan offered the threshing floor, oxen, wood, and wheat freely, but David would not allow another person to bear the cost of his act of repentance and worship. The purchase established the place where David built an altar, and the site later became the location of Solomon’s temple on Mount Moriah.

Gen 23:13-16 If you will please listen to me, I will pay the price…
Jer 32:9-12 So I bought the field in Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel…

for I will not take for the LORD what belongs to you,

David recognized that an offering taken from another person could not rightly represent his own submission to God. Worship does not excuse dishonesty, coercion, or disregard for another’s property. The king’s conduct upheld God’s righteousness at the very moment Israel needed mercy after David’s sinful census.

Lev 19:13 You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him.…
Exo 20:15 You shall not steal.

nor will I offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

Burnt offerings signified wholehearted consecration to God, and David would not reduce such worship to a convenient gesture. The sacrifice was costly because sin had brought judgment upon the nation, yet God graciously accepted David’s altar and commanded the destroying angel to stop. David’s costly offering points forward to Christ, who freely gave Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin.

Gen 22:2-14 “Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac”…
Mal 1:8 When you offer blind animals for sacrifice,…
Deu 16:16-17 Three times a year all your men appear before the LORD…

Persons / Places / Events

1. King David
The second king of Israel, known for his heart for God and his leadership. In this passage, he demonstrates integrity and devotion to God.

2. Araunah
A Jebusite who owned the threshing floor where David intended to build an altar to the LORD. He offered it to David for free.

3. Threshing Floor of Araunah
The location where David decided to build an altar to stop the plague that had come upon Israel due to his sin of conducting a census.

4. The Plague
A divine punishment sent by God as a result of David's sin of numbering the people, which was against God's command.

5. Burnt Offering
A sacrificial offering made to God, symbolizing atonement and dedication. David's insistence on paying for the offering underscores the principle of sacrifice.

Teaching Points

The Cost of True Worship
True worship involves sacrifice. David's refusal to offer to God something that cost him nothing teaches us that genuine worship requires personal investment and sacrifice.

Integrity in Leadership
David's decision to pay the full price reflects his integrity and responsibility as a leader. Leaders are called to set an example of righteousness and accountability.

Repentance and Restoration
David's actions demonstrate a heart of repentance. When we sin, we must seek restoration with God, often requiring us to make amends and offer our best to Him.

God's Mercy and Justice
The account shows God's justice in response to sin but also His mercy in providing a way for restoration. We are reminded of the balance between God's holiness and His grace.

Personal Sacrifice in Service
Serving God often requires personal sacrifice. We are called to give our time, resources, and talents willingly, not out of compulsion or convenience.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does David's insistence on paying for the threshing floor teach us about the nature of true worship and sacrifice?

2. How can we apply the principle of offering God our best in our daily lives and spiritual practices?

3. In what ways does David's response to his sin provide a model for repentance and seeking God's forgiveness?

4. How does the account of David and Araunah's threshing floor connect to the broader biblical theme of sacrifice and atonement?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to make a personal sacrifice in your walk with God. How did it impact your relationship with Him and your understanding of worship?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Samuel 24
This parallel account provides additional context to the events in 1 Chronicles 21, highlighting David's repentance and God's mercy.

Genesis 22
The account of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, which parallels the theme of costly sacrifice and obedience to God.

Romans 12:1
Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, drawing a connection to the idea of giving God our best.