The event known as "The LORD Answers David's Sacrifice" is a significant moment in the biblical narrative, illustrating the themes of repentance, divine mercy, and the importance of obedience to God. This event is primarily recorded in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21, where King David, having sinned by conducting a census of Israel, seeks to atone for his transgression through sacrifice.

Context and Background

The narrative begins with David's decision to take a census of Israel and Judah, an act that was seen as a demonstration of pride and reliance on military strength rather than trust in God. Despite Joab's objections, David insists on numbering the people. This action incurs the LORD's displeasure, and as a result, God sends a plague upon Israel as a form of judgment.

David's Repentance and the Plague

Upon realizing his sin, David is deeply remorseful and seeks the LORD's forgiveness. The prophet Gad, David's seer, is sent by God to offer David three choices for punishment: three years of famine, three months of fleeing from enemies, or three days of plague. David chooses to fall into the hands of the LORD, preferring divine mercy over human cruelty. Consequently, a plague strikes the land, resulting in the death of 70,000 men.

The Altar on the Threshing Floor of Araunah

As the angel of the LORD is about to destroy Jerusalem, God relents and commands the angel to cease. David, seeing the angel, speaks to the LORD, acknowledging his sin and pleading for the punishment to fall upon him and his family rather than the people. Gad instructs David to build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

David approaches Araunah to purchase the site, insisting on paying the full price, stating, "I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing" (2 Samuel 24:24). Araunah offers the site and the oxen for free, but David insists on paying, demonstrating his understanding of the cost of true sacrifice.

The LORD's Response

David builds the altar and offers burnt offerings and peace offerings. The LORD responds to David's sincere repentance and sacrifice by halting the plague. The narrative highlights the importance of genuine repentance and the power of sacrificial offerings in restoring the relationship between God and His people.

Theological Significance

This event underscores several key theological themes. First, it illustrates the gravity of sin and the necessity of atonement. David's census was a breach of trust in God, and the subsequent judgment served as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience. Second, it emphasizes God's mercy and willingness to forgive those who earnestly seek Him. David's heartfelt repentance and the costly sacrifice demonstrate the proper response to sin.

Furthermore, the location of the sacrifice, the threshing floor of Araunah, holds future significance as the site where Solomon would later build the Temple in Jerusalem. This connection foreshadows the central role of sacrifice in Israel's worship and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who atones for the sins of humanity.

In summary, "The LORD Answers David's Sacrifice" is a profound narrative that reveals the interplay between human sin, divine judgment, and the redemptive power of sincere repentance and sacrifice.