2 Samuel 24:24 And the king said to Araunah, No; but I will surely buy it of you at a price… On the place over which the angel of God had stayed his hand of judgment, the king resolved to erect an altar, and to offer a burnt-offering. That spot where judgment halted was the threshing-floor of Araunah. The point in the transaction which will fix our attention is that of the king's refusal of Araunah's generosity; not because so princely a nature as David's could not appreciate such generosity, but on principle. "I will surely buy of thee." There you have the principle which I desire to illustrate. 1. The principle was the expression of the true feeling of the greatest, the devoutest, the most remarkable man of his day — a man whose many-sidedness of nature links him with the highest; a man whose influence has been felt in all ages, from his own till this, and in an ever-widening circle, in the ratio of the missionary zeal of the Church of Jesus Christ, for there is no religious poetry equal to David's psalms. It received the Divine endorsement. "The plague was stayed." 2. The principle applies to the minister's dedication, and preparation for his work. He should resolve, "Neither will I offer to the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing." 3. The principle further applies to intellectual and heart preparation for the work of the ministry. 4. Apply the principle to personal dedication. It will cost something to offer yourself to the Lord your God. If it cost nothing, the enjoyment of God's favour would be little esteemed. The dedication of the person to God involves the dedication of all that belongs to him. (R. Thomas.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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