When Araunah looked out and saw the king and his servants coming toward him, he went out and bowed facedown before the king. When Araunah looked downThe name "Araunah" is of Jebusite origin, indicating that he was a native of Jerusalem before David's conquest. The act of "looking down" suggests a position of elevation, possibly from a threshing floor, which was typically located on higher ground to take advantage of the wind for separating grain. This setting is significant as it foreshadows the future site of the Temple, emphasizing God's sovereignty in choosing sacred spaces. and saw the king
The "king" here is David, a central figure in the Old Testament known for his heart after God despite his imperfections. David's presence signifies authority and divine appointment. In the Hebrew context, seeing the king would evoke a sense of awe and respect, as the king was God's anointed leader over Israel. and his servants coming toward him
The "servants" accompanying David highlight the king's status and the seriousness of his visit. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a king's entourage was a reflection of his power and the importance of his mission. This phrase underscores the gravity of the moment, as David approaches to make amends with God by purchasing the threshing floor. he went out
Araunah's action of going out to meet David demonstrates hospitality and respect. In the cultural context, meeting someone of high status halfway was a gesture of honor and submission. This act sets the stage for the negotiation that follows, showing Araunah's willingness to serve the king. and bowed facedown before the king
Bowing "facedown" is an act of deep reverence and submission, common in ancient Near Eastern customs when approaching royalty. This physical posture indicates Araunah's recognition of David's authority and his own humility. It reflects a heart attitude that is open to God's purposes, as Araunah unknowingly plays a part in the establishment of the future Temple site. Persons / Places / Events 1. AraunahA Jebusite who owned a threshing floor in Jerusalem. His interaction with King David is significant in the context of David's repentance and the subsequent building of an altar. 2. King DavidThe second king of Israel, known for his heart for God but also for his significant failings. In this chapter, David is seeking to make amends for his sin of conducting a census. 3. Threshing FloorA place where grain is separated from chaff. In this context, it becomes a site of worship and sacrifice, eventually becoming the location for Solomon's Temple. 4. JerusalemThe city of David, central to the history of Israel and the site of many significant biblical events. 5. Servants of the KingThese are the attendants who accompany David, indicating the importance of the visit to Araunah. Teaching Points Repentance and RestorationDavid's actions demonstrate the importance of acknowledging sin and seeking to make things right with God. True repentance involves both confession and action. The Significance of SacrificeThe threshing floor becomes a place of sacrifice, symbolizing the need for atonement and the foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Humility Before AuthorityAraunah's response to David shows respect and humility, a model for how we should approach authority and, ultimately, God. God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsDespite David's sin, God uses the situation to establish a significant site for Israel's worship, showing His ability to bring good from human failings. The Cost of ObedienceDavid insists on paying for the threshing floor, teaching us that true obedience and worship often come with a cost. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Araunah's response to King David reflect our attitude toward God's authority in our lives? 2. In what ways does the account of David purchasing the threshing floor illustrate the concept of repentance and restitution? 3. How can we apply the principle of sacrifice in our daily walk with God, considering the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ? 4. What does this passage teach us about the importance of humility and respect in our interactions with others, especially those in authority? 5. How can we see God's sovereignty at work in our lives, even when we make mistakes, as demonstrated in the account of David and Araunah? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Chronicles 21This parallel account provides additional details about David's census and the subsequent events, including the role of Araunah (Ornan in Chronicles) and the purchase of the threshing floor. Genesis 22The concept of sacrifice and obedience is echoed in the account of Abraham and Isaac, where a place of sacrifice becomes a place of divine provision. Hebrews 11The faith of biblical figures, including David, is highlighted, showing how faith leads to action and repentance. People Araunah, Canaanites, Dan, David, Gad, Gadites, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Joab, ZidonPlaces Aroer, Beersheba, Dan, Gilead, Jazer, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kadesh, Negeb, Sidon, TyreTopics Araunah, Arau'nah, Bowed, Boweth, Crossing, Face, Forth, Ground, Obeisance, Passing, Servants, TowardsDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 24:10-25 7435 sacrifice, in OT 2 Samuel 24:11-25 4843 plague 2 Samuel 24:16-25 4524 threshing-floor Library The Exile --Continued.
We have one psalm which the title connects with the beginning of David's stay at Adullam,--the thirty-fourth. The supposition that it dates from that period throws great force into many parts of it, and gives a unity to what is else apparently fragmentary and disconnected. Unlike those already considered, which were pure soliloquies, this is full of exhortation and counsel, as would naturally be the case if it were written when friends and followers began to gather to his standard. It reads like …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of DavidThe Universal Chorus
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that stteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. M en have generally agreed to dignify their presumptuous and arrogant ^* disquisitions on the works and ways of God, with the name of wisdom ; though the principles upon which they proceed, and the conclusions which they draw from …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Meditations for one that is Like to Die.
If thy sickness be like to increase unto death, then meditate on three things:--First, How graciously God dealeth with thee. Secondly, From what evils death will free thee. Thirdly, What good death will bring unto thee. The first sort of Meditations are, to consider God's favourable dealing with thee. 1. Meditate that God uses this chastisement of thy body but as a medicine to cure thy soul, by drawing thee, who art sick in sin, to come by repentance unto Christ, thy physician, to have thy soul healed …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Consolations against Impatience in Sickness.
If in thy sickness by extremity of pain thou be driven to impatience, meditate-- 1. That thy sins have deserved the pains of hell; therefore thou mayest with greater patience endure these fatherly corrections. 2. That these are the scourges of thy heavenly Father, and the rod is in his hand. If thou didst suffer with reverence, being a child, the corrections of thy earthly parents, how much rather shouldst thou now subject thyself, being the child of God, to the chastisement of thy heavenly Father, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Order of Thought which Surrounded the Development of Jesus.
As the cooled earth no longer permits us to understand the phenomena of primitive creation, because the fire which penetrated it is extinct, so deliberate explanations have always appeared somewhat insufficient when applying our timid methods of induction to the revolutions of the creative epochs which have decided the fate of humanity. Jesus lived at one of those times when the game of public life is freely played, and when the stake of human activity is increased a hundredfold. Every great part, …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 24:20 NIV2 Samuel 24:20 NLT2 Samuel 24:20 ESV2 Samuel 24:20 NASB2 Samuel 24:20 KJV
2 Samuel 24:20 Commentaries
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