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David's Altar on the Threshingfloor (Daily Portion 10103)

Content Author: 
Reagan, David
Scripture Passage: 
1 Chronicles 21:18-30

In order to halt the judgment of God on Israel, David is told to offer a sacrifice in the threshing floor of Ornan—the place where Solomon’s temple would later be built.

What Does It Say?

  1. The name of the prophet who told David to set up the altar is __________.
  2. Ornan the Jebusite had _________(number) sons
  3. David offered to buy the place of sacrifice from Ornan for _______ ___________ shekels of __________.
  4. After God accepted the sacrifice, the angel put up his ___________.
  5. At this time, the tabernacle and the brazen altar were in ____________.

What Does It Mean?

  1. Why did Ornan and his sons hide themselves from the angel (1 Chronicles 21:20)?
  2. Why did David refuse Ornan’s offer to give him the threshing floor, oxen, wood instruments and wheat?
  3. The price in this passage (1 Chronicles 21:25) does not match the price given in the parallel passage in 2 Samuel 24:24 where “David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.”  What is different about what David bought in the two places? Why would the one price be so much more?

What Does It Mean to Me?

  1. David was determined to pay “the full price” (v.22, 24).  Ornan declared, “I give it all” (v.23).  How are both attitudes a picture of the surrendered Christian life?
  2. The Lord answered David “from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering” (v.26).  This is how God showed David that his offering was accepted and the plague would be stopped.  In what way or ways do we know today that God accepts our prayer or repentance from sin?
David Reagan
Daily Proverb

Proverbs 27:9

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.