King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 24:22 Mean?

2 Samuel 24:22 in the King James Version says “And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Samuel 24:22 · KJV

Context

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.

24

And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

Read 2 Samuel 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 17 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 17

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲרַ֙וְנָה֙2 of 17

“And Araunah”

H728

aravnah (or arnijah or ornah), a jebusite

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֔ד4 of 17

“unto David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

יִקַּ֥ח5 of 17

“take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וְיַ֛עַל6 of 17

“and offer up”

H5927

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

אֲדֹנִ֥י7 of 17

“Let my lord”

H113

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

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ8 of 17

“the king”

H4428

a king

הַטּ֣וֹב9 of 17

“what seemeth good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

בְּעֵינָ֑ו10 of 17

“unto him”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

רְאֵה֙11 of 17

“behold”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

הַבָּקָ֖ר12 of 17

“here be oxen”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

לָֽעֹלָ֔ה13 of 17

“for burnt sacrifice”

H5930

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

וְהַמֹּֽרִגִּ֛ים14 of 17

“and threshing instruments”

H4173

a threshing sledge

וּכְלֵ֥י15 of 17

“and other instruments”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

הַבָּקָ֖ר16 of 17

“here be oxen”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

לָֽעֵצִֽים׃17 of 17

“for wood”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

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 24:22 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 24:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 19:211 Samuel 6:141 Chronicles 21:22Genesis 23:11

Test Your Knowledge

2 Samuel 24 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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