Book of 2 Samuel - Chapter 24 - Verse 21

When King David approached Araunah with the intention of buying his threshing floor to build an altar unto the Lord, he was seeking to address a grave situation. The context of this verse comes after David had sinned by conducting a census against the advice of his army commander, Joab. As a consequence of this sinful act, a plague was brought upon the people of Israel. In response, David sought to offer sacrifices to the Lord to atone for his wrongdoing and to stop the plague from continuing. This act of building an altar on Araunah's threshing floor was not just a simple transaction but a symbol of repentance and seeking forgiveness from the Lord. It serves as a reminder of David's humility and willingness to admit his faults, as well as his belief in the power of God to stop the suffering of his people when they turned back to him in repentance.

In this verse, we see King David approaching Araunah to buy the threshingfloor in order to build an altar to the Lord to stop the plague that was affecting the people. This interaction between David and Araunah highlights the importance of sacrificing to God in times of crisis. The word "threshingfloor" is significant in this context as it was a place where grains were separated from the husks. In the Bible, threshingfloors are often associated with times of harvest and abundance. By purchasing this particular threshingfloor, David is making a symbolic gesture of giving back to God in a time of need. Additionally, the word "altar" is used here to emphasize the importance of worship and offering sacrifices to seek God's favor and protection. This passage serves as a reminder of the power of prayer and worship in times of trouble, and the significance of seeking God's intervention to bring healing and restoration to a community.