Look No Further If You Want To See David's Repentance

2 Sam. 24:24 - But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. ESV
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• What Mistake Had David Made This Time?

David had gotten himself into trouble with the LORD for taking a census of the people of Israel. He would not listen to his trusted general, Joab, who desperately tried to convince David not to take the census (2 Sam.24:3f).

A prophet named Gad tells David to go to the threshing floor of Araunah and build an altar there. He goes to Araunah’s to buy the tract of ground, to build an altar, and offer the necessary sacrifices to bring an end to the plague.

This plague came because David would not listen to the counsel of Joab, a man who was very loyal to David for most of his life. When a person has been very loyal to you and they try to persuade you not to do something it might be wise to listen to them.Had David listened to Joab he would not have brought punishment on his people.

Araunah wanted to give King David the land, but David will have no part of it. This is when he makes this famous statement: “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.”

• Another Lesson From David

The lessons David can teach us are by far too many to count, but I can say this about David, he is not afraid to humble himself and repent. His repentance is to correct his sinful mistakes. One can only imagine how many sinful mistakes wouldn’t he have made had he listened to counsel from others?

He would not listen to his General Joab. King David counts the Israelites and for whatever reason, this is not permitted and now he has to be penalized for his arrogance. David sees God punishing the Israelites because of his sinfulness. He is told to go to Araunah and build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah.

Araunah wants to give his king the land but King David will not take the ground for free.

• Valuable Lesson

David teaches us on numerous occasions how easy one can get in trouble when you won’t listen to the Word of God. David murders Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband after he commits adultery with her, and tried to hide his sinfulness. I am sure he had been taught the 10 commandments. I am sure he had heard you shall not murder and you shall not commit adultery.

• Be Wise

The best path of life we can stay on is the path where we obey God’s Word. Had King David listened to people who loved him and had he obeyed he would not have had to repent and make sacrifices.

But at least when he did repent he gave us the example of how to do it right. He offered to God that which came from his pocket and not the pocket of someone else. When you give to God give from your heart. Whether you are giving Him repentance or a financial offering.
 
Think About This:

Repentance is not when you cry. Repentance is when you change.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word