King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 21:24 Mean?

1 Chronicles 21:24 in the King James Version says “And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine ... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

1 Chronicles 21:24 · KJV


Context

22

Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people. Grant: Heb. Give

23

And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.

24

And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

25

So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.

26

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's response to Araunah's offer to give the threshing floor free: 'And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.' This principle - refusing to offer God what costs nothing - demonstrates that acceptable worship requires sacrifice. David rejected the easy path of accepting a gift, insisting on paying full price. This teaches that genuine worship is costly, not convenient. The threshing floor would become the temple site, making this purchase foundational to Israel's worship. Christ supremely embodied this principle, offering His life at infinite cost for our salvation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The threshing floor purchase (c. 975 BCE) followed the plague that killed 70,000 Israelites (21:14). David's willingness to pay full price despite divine permission to stop the plague showed his commitment to proper atonement and worship, establishing the future temple location.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'free' shortcuts in worship or service are you tempted to take rather than offering God costly devotion?
  2. How does David's principle challenge your giving - of time, resources, and energy - to God's work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 19

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ2 of 19

And king

H4428

a king

דָּוִיד֙3 of 19

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לְאָרְנָ֔ן4 of 19

to Ornan

H771

ornan, a jebusite

לֹ֕א5 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

כִּֽי6 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֶקְנֶ֖ה7 of 19

Nay but I will verily

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

אֶקְנֶ֖ה8 of 19

Nay but I will verily

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

בְּכֶ֣סֶף9 of 19

price

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

מָלֵ֑א10 of 19

it for the full

H4392

full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully

כִּ֠י11 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹֽא12 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶשָּׂ֤א13 of 19

for I will not take

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֲשֶׁר14 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לְךָ֙15 of 19
H0
לַֽיהוָ֔ה16 of 19

that which is thine for the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְהַֽעֲל֥וֹת17 of 19

nor offer

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עוֹלָ֖ה18 of 19

burnt offerings

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

חִנָּֽם׃19 of 19

without cost

H2600

gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 21:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 21:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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