2 Samuel 24 18

2 Samuel 24:18 kjv

And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

2 Samuel 24:18 nkjv

And Gad came that day to David and said to him, "Go up, erect an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."

2 Samuel 24:18 niv

On that day Gad went to David and said to him, "Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."

2 Samuel 24:18 esv

And Gad came that day to David and said to him, "Go up, raise an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."

2 Samuel 24:18 nlt

That day Gad came to David and said to him, "Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."

2 Samuel 24 verses

2 Samuel 24 18 Meaning

This verse signifies a pivotal moment in David's interaction with God after the calamitous census. Gad, the prophet, delivers a direct command from the LORD, instructing David to construct an altar at a specific, humble location – the threshingfloor belonging to Araunah the Jebusite. This divine instruction provides the prescribed means for stopping the plague that had afflicted Israel, highlighting God's immediate response to genuine repentance and His clear path to atonement through worship. It also consecrates this site as holy ground, prophetically marking it as the future location of the Temple.

2 Samuel 24 18 Context

2 Samuel 24 records King David's sin of taking a census of Israel and Judah, an act that displeased the LORD because it likely stemmed from pride, reliance on human strength, or an unlawful numbering of the fighting men without the required ransom payment. As a consequence, God offers David three choices of punishment: seven years of famine, three months of fleeing enemies, or three days of plague. David chooses the plague, opting to fall into God's merciful hands. The plague devastates the land, killing seventy thousand people. When the angel of the LORD is about to destroy Jerusalem, God relents and instructs the angel to stop at the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. Verse 18 then narrates the direct divine instruction, delivered through the prophet Gad, for David to respond by building an altar at this exact location to offer sacrifices, signifying the necessary act of atonement and thanksgiving to stop God's wrath and restore the nation. This action is crucial not only for the immediate crisis but also for prophetically marking the future site of the first Temple.

2 Samuel 24 18 Word analysis

• And Gad came that day to David:

  • And: Connects this divine instruction directly to the immediate aftermath of the plague's cessation mentioned in the preceding verse (2 Sam 24:16-17).
  • Gad (גָּד, Gad): The prophet of God (cf. 1 Sam 22:5), divinely appointed messenger. His role underscores the direct communication from God to David, indicating this command is not human counsel but divine decree. "Gad" also means "troop" or "fortune," perhaps ironically contrasted with his grave message of judgment and the subsequent grace.
  • came that day: Highlights the urgency and immediacy of God's command. There was no delay in God providing a pathway to resolution after judgment. The divine command arrived precisely at the point when the angel of judgment had halted.
  • to David: Emphasizes that the direct accountability and the subsequent instructions are personally for the king, who represents the nation and was responsible for the sin.

• and said unto him:

  • and said (וַיֹּאמֶר, wayyōʾmer): Standard biblical phrasing for direct speech. Confirms Gad is relaying a direct message from the LORD.
  • unto him: Reiterates the personal address to David.

• Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD:

  • Go up (עֲלֵה, ʿăleh): Imperative verb, commanding ascent. The threshingfloor would likely have been on an elevated or higher part of the hill (like Mt. Moriah), indicating a physical ascent to a place of worship. Spiritually, it implies rising from the depths of distress and sin to approach God for restoration.
  • rear (הָקֵם, haqem): Imperative verb, "establish," "raise up," "build." It's a foundational act, not merely temporary.
  • an altar (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbēaḥ): A sacred structure for offering sacrifices to God, central to Israelite worship and atonement. It signifies seeking divine favor, expressing gratitude, and making expiation for sin. This act, mandated by God, is the prescribed way to restore communion.
  • unto the LORD (לַיהוָה, laYHWH): Emphasizes that the altar is dedicated to Yahweh, the God of Israel. It affirms His sovereignty, holiness, and the necessity of approaching Him on His terms. This stands in contrast to pagan altars or offerings to false gods.

• in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite:

  • in the threshingfloor (בְּגֹרֶן, bəgōren): Goren refers to an open-air area, often elevated and exposed to wind, where grain was threshed and winnowed. It's a place of common, agricultural labor, symbolizing the mundane becoming sacred. Prophetically, it foreshadows a significant spiritual event on an unexpected spot, later revealed to be the very location for God's permanent dwelling place (the Temple). This ordinary, practical place is designated as holy.
  • of Araunah (אֲרַוְנָה, ʾĂrawna): The Jebusite owner (also known as Ornan in 1 Chr 21). His name signifies God's providence extending beyond Israelite lineage, as a non-Israelite provides the site for a crucial act of Israel's worship and ultimately, the Temple. It underscores God's sovereignty over all lands and peoples.
  • the Jebusite (הַיְבוּסִי, hayyəvûsî): Identifies Araunah as belonging to the original inhabitants of Jerusalem before David conquered it. The fact that the divine command points to the property of a Jebusite rather than an Israelite or crown land highlights several points: David’s proper dealing with the land (purchasing rather than seizing), the multi-ethnic character of God’s unfolding plan, and the establishment of sacred ground on former non-Israelite territory. It also removes any potential claim of merit by Israel due to their "ownership" of the land; this specific place is chosen by divine decree alone.

2 Samuel 24 18 Bonus section

The concept of the threshingfloor being the chosen site for the altar and subsequently the Temple underscores several layers of biblical truth. Threshingfloors, common agricultural sites, were often on elevated, rocky ground suitable for both wind-winnowing and sturdy construction. They were places of hard work, where the raw harvest was separated, judgment passed upon the chaff to separate it from the useful grain. This duality makes it a poignant location: a place of separation and judgment for the grain, now transformed into a place of atonement and reconciliation for God's people. Furthermore, David purchasing the land from Araunah (verses 21-25) despite being the king and able to take it, demonstrates his obedience to God's instruction and a humility that honors the existing owner. It shows that even sacred space for the LORD's worship should be obtained with integrity and at cost, reflecting the spiritual principle that true worship involves sacrifice, not usurpation.

2 Samuel 24 18 Commentary

2 Samuel 24:18 marks the turning point from divine judgment to the immediate provision of a path for reconciliation. The gravity of the plague, resulting from David's census sin, necessitated an immediate divine response. Gad's message isn't a suggestion but a clear, urgent imperative from the LORD Himself. The command to "rear an altar" speaks to the timeless truth that sin demands atonement and restoration with God is achieved through sacrifice, ordained by God. The specific location – the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite – is immensely significant. A common, utilitarian space of daily toil is chosen by God to become holy ground, where the plague miraculously ceased and where David was to perform the ritual that would restore the nation. This very spot would later become Mount Moriah, the chosen site for Solomon's Temple, a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant and the place of Israel's worship. Thus, a seemingly mundane transaction for an altar sets the stage for the most sacred place in Israelite history, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice that would happen in that very vicinity. It exemplifies God's holiness demanding atonement, His mercy providing the means, and His sovereign choice of sacred space.