How Did Araunah Impact History?
And Gad came that day to David and said to him, “Go up, raise an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” So David went up at Gad's word, as the Lord commanded. Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” Then Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David said, “To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the Lord, that the plague may be averted from the people.” But Araunah said to David, "Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering and the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood. But the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. But the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord responded to the plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.
Key Facts
Term Name
Araunah
Role
Jebusite Farmer
Born
c. 1047 BC
Died
c. 970 BC
Key Takeaways
- Araunah’s selfless offering of his threshing floor and oxen enabled David’s atonement for sin.
- David’s refusal to accept a free sacrifice emphasized the biblical principle of costly devotion.
- Araunah’s humility and willingness to assist David highlighted the transformative power of repentance.
Who Was Araunah in the Bible?
Araunah, a Jebusite farmer, played a pivotal role in King David’s response to divine judgment during the plague described in 2 Samuel 24:18-25.
When David sought to build an altar to atone for his sin, Araunah selflessly offered his threshing floor and oxen for the sacrifice, demonstrating generosity that contrasted with David’s earlier disobedience. His willingness to assist David, despite being a non-Israelite, highlights his significance in facilitating God’s acceptance of David’s repentance.
The Threshing Floor of Araunah and David’s Choice
In 2 Samuel 24:18-25, Araunah’s generosity intersects with David’s urgent need to atone for a national sin.
When David sought Araunah’s threshing floor to build an altar to halt a devastating plague (2 Samuel 24:18-19), the Jebusite farmer freely offered his property and oxen for the sacrifice. However, David refused Araunah’s free gift, insisting on paying the full value of the land (2 Samuel 24:24), declaring, ‘I will not offer to the Lord my God a sacrifice that costs me nothing.’ This response underscored David’s commitment to honoring God with intentional, costly devotion rather than accepting a gift that might compromise his integrity.
Araunah, though surprised by David’s insistence on payment, acquiesced and provided additional resources for the altar (2 Samuel 24:22-23). His willingness to accept compensation while still giving his land and oxen for the sacrifice highlights the mutual reverence both men held for God’s requirements, even as David’s actions set a precedent for righteous leadership in times of crisis.
What We Can Learn From Araunah’s Story
Araunah’s story highlights the difference between generous giving and the costly nature of worship.
In 2 Samuel 24:22-23, Araunah freely offers his threshing floor, oxen, and wood for the altar, reflecting a humility and trust in God’s blessing that transcends ethnic boundaries. His willingness to aid David, a leader who had previously sinned, underscores the transformative power of repentance and the heart of a true servant of God.
David’s insistence on paying for the land (2 Samuel 24:24) - ‘I will not offer to the Lord my God a sacrifice that costs me nothing’ - highlights a different lesson: the importance of intentional, sacrificial stewardship. Araunah’s acceptance of payment while still giving his resources reveals a balanced wisdom, honoring both God’s demands and human integrity, and invites reflection on how generosity and accountability can coexist in acts of worship.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
2 Samuel 24:18-25
The account of Araunah’s generous offering and David’s response during the plague.
2 Samuel 24:24
David’s declaration: ‘I will not offer to the Lord my God a sacrifice that costs me nothing.’
Related Concepts
David (Figures)
The Israelite king whose repentance and leadership intersect with Araunah’s story.
Covenant (Theological Concepts)
The divine relationship between God and His people, emphasized through Araunah’s and David’s actions.
Repentance (Terms)
The central theme of David’s atonement and Araunah’s role in facilitating it.