The account of David purchasing the threshing floor is a significant event in the biblical narrative, highlighting themes of repentance, obedience, and the establishment of a sacred site. This event is recorded in 2 Samuel 24:18-25 and 1 Chronicles 21:18-30.

Context and Background

The incident occurs towards the end of King David's reign. David, incited by Satan (1 Chronicles 21:1) and under divine allowance, orders a census of Israel and Judah, which is seen as an act of pride and lack of trust in God. This action displeases the Lord, and as a result, God sends a plague upon Israel as a judgment (2 Samuel 24:15).

The Command to Build an Altar

In response to David's repentance, God commands the prophet Gad to instruct David to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (2 Samuel 24:18). This location is significant as it is situated on Mount Moriah, a site with deep historical and theological importance, being the place where Abraham was to offer Isaac (Genesis 22:2).

The Purchase

David approaches Araunah to buy the threshing floor. Araunah offers to give the site and the oxen for the burnt offering freely, but David insists on purchasing it, stating, "I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing" (2 Samuel 24:24). David's insistence on paying for the site underscores the principle of sacrificial giving and the sincerity of his repentance.

David purchases the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver (2 Samuel 24:24). However, 1 Chronicles 21:25 records the price as six hundred shekels of gold for the site. This discrepancy is often understood as referring to different aspects of the transaction, with the Chronicles account possibly including the entire area that would later become the site of Solomon's Temple.

The Altar and Sacrifice

David builds an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor and offers burnt offerings and peace offerings. The Lord responds to David's offerings by halting the plague, demonstrating His mercy and acceptance of David's repentance (2 Samuel 24:25).

Theological Significance

The purchase of the threshing floor is a pivotal moment in biblical history. It marks the site where Solomon would later build the Temple, the central place of worship for Israel (2 Chronicles 3:1). This event underscores the themes of atonement and the importance of worship in the life of God's people. David's actions reflect a heart turned back to God, emphasizing the necessity of genuine repentance and the cost of true worship.

Legacy

The site of the threshing floor, later the Temple Mount, becomes a focal point for Jewish worship and identity. It serves as a reminder of God's mercy and the importance of obedience and sacrifice in the believer's life. David's purchase of the threshing floor is a testament to his role as a man after God's own heart, despite his failures, and highlights the enduring significance of Jerusalem in biblical theology.