King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 24:21 Mean?

2 Samuel 24:21 in the King James Version says “And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, ... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.

2 Samuel 24:21 · KJV


Context

19

And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.

20

And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.

21

And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.

22

And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.

23

All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Census and Plague, emphasizing pride, judgment, provision. David's census represents prideful self-reliance rather than dependence on God. The plague's devastation demonstrates sin's consequences extending beyond the sinner. David's purchase of Araunah's threshing floor and sacrifice there establishes the future temple location. Theological themes include the danger of pride, corporate consequences of leaders' sins, the necessity of proper sacrifice, God's mercy in limiting judgment, and divine purpose even in disciplinary actions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 24 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding pride, judgment, provision provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of pride, judgment, provision?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 21

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲרַ֔וְנָה2 of 21

And Araunah

H728

aravnah (or arnijah or ornah), a jebusite

מַדּ֛וּעַ3 of 21
H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

בָּ֥א4 of 21

come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֲדֹנִֽי5 of 21

Wherefore is my lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ6 of 21

the king

H4428

a king

אֶל7 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַבְדּ֑וֹ8 of 21

to his servant

H5650

a servant

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר9 of 21

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֜ד10 of 21

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לִקְנ֧וֹת11 of 21

To buy

H7069

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

מֵֽעִמְּךָ֣12 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֶת13 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַגֹּ֗רֶן14 of 21

the threshingfloor

H1637

a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area

לִבְנ֤וֹת15 of 21

of thee to build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

מִזְבֵּ֙חַ֙16 of 21

an altar

H4196

an altar

לַֽיהוָ֔ה17 of 21

unto the LORD

H3068

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

וְתֵֽעָצַ֥ר18 of 21

may be stayed

H6113

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

הַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה19 of 21

that the plague

H4046

a pestilence; by analogy, defeat

מֵעַ֥ל20 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָעָֽם׃21 of 21

from the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 24:21 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 2 Samuel 24:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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