Definition: For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which [was] with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse. It's a really important part of the Old Testament Bible and it speaks about King David’s ambition and how he wanted to understand the size of Israel. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: King David was worried about his power and how to use it wisely. He asked Joab, a leader of his army, to go out and count every tribe (group) of people in Israel – from the northernmost tribes like Dan and Beersheba all the way to the southernmost ones. He wanted to know how many people there were so he could make good decisions about who to rule and how to use his power responsibly. Let’s unpack it further: “For the king said…” : This tells us this is a command from David, as he was King of Israel. “…to Joab the captain of the host…” : Joab was David's trusted advisor and leader of his army. He was chosen to lead this task. "...which [was] with him..." : This emphasizes that Joab was along with David, so he’s part of the team doing this counting. “Go now through all the tribes of Israel…” : David instructed Joab to travel across the entire country – every tribe – of Israel. “…from Dan even to Beersheba…” : This specifies the starting points for Joab's journey. He was to begin in the northernmost tribes (Dan and Beersheba) and then move westward, reaching all the way to the southernmost tribes. "...and number ye the people..." : David wanted to find out exactly how many people there were in Israel. He needed a precise count. “…that I may know the number of the people.” : This is the reason he was asking Joab to do this. He wanted to understand the total population of Israel so he could make wise decisions about who should be ruled and how to use his power effectively. In essence, it's a request for a census – a precise count – of all the people living in Israel. Why was this important? This verse is significant because it shows David’s growing concern with control and power. It highlights his desire to understand the size of his kingdom and to be able to make decisions that would benefit him and his people. It's a reminder that even kings need to know how many people they have before making important choices! --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail, perhaps with examples? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Compare it to another similar Bible passage?

Definition: And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 24:20. It's a really interesting and somewhat dramatic passage about sacrifice and responsibility. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: Araunah is a young man who is incredibly strong and resourceful. He’s known for his incredible strength and has been tasked with protecting the king of Salem. The King asks Araunah to offer a sacrifice – a great offering to appease the gods. This was a significant event, signifying a lot of importance. Araunah hesitates. He's not comfortable with this request, but he ultimately agrees. He’s willing to give up his own life for the king. What Happened Next: The King and his servants arrive. They are surveying Araunah’s body. Araunah bends down and bows himself before the King. This is a gesture of humility and submission. He acknowledges the King's power and authority. He then lays his head on the ground, showing complete surrender and obedience. It's a powerful image of acceptance and giving everything – even his own life – to the king’s will. What It Means (Simplified): This verse speaks about a moment of profound sacrifice and responsibility. It highlights several key ideas: Divine Justice: The story is rooted in a divine plan. The gods are testing Araunah's faith and willingness to accept their judgment. Taking Responsibility: Araunah isn’t just offering up his life; he's accepting the consequences of that choice – being sacrificed to the gods. It’s about acknowledging that you have a responsibility to obey authority. Humility & Submission: The bowing and laying down before the King shows a complete surrender of ego and self-importance. Important Note: It’s important to remember this story is from ancient Jewish tradition, and it's interpreted through a lens of understanding the covenant between God and Israel. --- Do you want me to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this verse? For example, would you like to know: The historical context surrounding this event? What the biblical message is about surrender or obedience?

Definition: And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 24:21. It's a really interesting and somewhat surprising passage in the Bible! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes Araunah, a powerful king who was incredibly clever, doing something truly remarkable – he deliberately sacrificed himself to save his kingdom. He was essentially offering his life as a sacrifice to God. Let's unpack the parts: “And Araunah said…” : This sets the scene – Araunah is speaking to David, the king of Israel. “…Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant?” : This is a question. Araunah is asking, “Why would the King of Israel come to me ?” He’s implying that the King isn't coming to offer blessings or rewards. “And David said…” : This tells us David is responding. “…To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.” : This is the core of the verse. David says: "To buy the threshingfloor of thee..." : Araunah offered his entire life – his body – as a price for something. He was essentially giving it away. "...to build an altar unto the LORD..." : David asked Araunah to build an altar (a special place to worship) dedicated to God. This shows a desire to honor and connect with the Lord. "...that the plague may be stayed from the people." : This is the really surprising part. David is asking Araunah to stop the plague that was devastating Israel. He’s begging Araunah to stop the suffering caused by a terrible illness. What's the Big Takeaway? This verse highlights two important themes: Selflessness and Sacrifice: Araunah showed incredible courage and a willingness to give up his own life for the good of others. It’s a powerful example of sacrificing for something greater than oneself. Divine Intervention & Protection: It demonstrates that God actively intervenes in our lives, protecting us from harm. The plague is a consequence of God’s protection, and Araunah's action was a direct response to God's will. In short, this verse tells us that sometimes, the most selfless act is often the best. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Provide context about Araunah and David’s relationship? Discuss the symbolism behind this passage (e.g., it's a story about offering)?

Definition: And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what [seemeth] good unto him: behold, [here be] oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and [other] instruments of the oxen for wood.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 24:22. It's a really fascinating and dramatic passage about a man named Araunah. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Araunah is a very brave and resourceful man who voluntarily gives up his life to save the entire kingdom of Israel from a terrible disaster. He's essentially sacrificing himself to ensure the safety of everyone else. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And Araunah said unto David…” : This tells us Araunah is speaking directly to King David. It's a significant and important moment. “…let my lord the king take and offer up what [seemeth] good unto him:” This is where it gets interesting. Araunah isn’t just giving up his life ; he’s offering up something valuable – something that appears good to him . He's suggesting he gives up his own life, essentially, in exchange for a benefit. “Seemeth” means "appears" or "looks like." “behold, oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and [other] instruments of the oxen for wood.” : This is the real part – it’s describing what Araunah is offering up as a sacrifice. He's giving up his life to provide: Oxen for burnt sacrifice: He’s providing oxen (animals) that will be burned as a sacrifice to God. Threshing instruments and [other] instruments of the oxen for wood: He’s also giving up his own body – his flesh – which would then be used to make kindling – wood for burning. The Significance & Context - Why This is Important This verse is a key part of a story in the Old Testament that highlights several important themes: Divine Providence: God is working for him, even though he’s sacrificing himself. It shows God’s plan and purpose. Sacrifice as a Gift: Araunah's sacrifice isn't about personal gain; it's about fulfilling a divine purpose – protecting the kingdom. The Value of Obedience: It emphasizes that obedience to God's will is paramount, even when it involves difficult choices and sacrifices. In short, this verse describes Araunah making a selfless act of sacrifice to save his people from disaster. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Connect this verse to a broader story or theme within the Bible? Give you some context about the time period when this passage was written?

Definition: All these [things] did Araunah, [as] a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together! It's a really interesting and somewhat surprising one. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: Araunah was a very wealthy man. He had a huge pile of gold and jewels. He made a deal with the King. He offered to give all his wealth – everything he owned – to the King as a gift. The King accepted him! The King saw Araunah’s generosity and agreed to let him stay and be king. What's the Twist? Here's the crucial part: Araunah gave his wealth to the King, but he also prayed that God would accept him. It wasn’t just about getting a royal title; it was about being accepted by God. The Meaning - It’s About Faith and Obedience: This verse is a reminder of two important ideas: 1. God Loves Generosity: Araunah didn't just give his wealth to the King; he gave it to God . This shows that God values generosity and willingness to share. 2. Faith in God’s Love: The King's response, "The LORD thy God accept thee," is a powerful statement. It means God loves Araunah even more than he loved himself – it signifies that Araunah was accepted by God because of his faith in Him. In short, the verse highlights that true wealth isn’t about material possessions; it's about being accepted and loved by God. Do you want to explore any of these aspects further? For example, we could: Discuss why this story is significant in biblical history. Talk about how this parable relates to other stories in the Bible?

Definition: And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy [it] of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 24:24. It’s a really interesting story about faith and taking a risk! Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Araunah is a King: This verse tells us about a king named Araunah, who was incredibly proud and stubborn. He wanted to be bigger than everyone else. He Wants Something Valuable: Araunah decided he wanted something precious – a threshing floor (a really important part of harvesting grain). David Offers to Buy It: A wise man named David offered to buy the threshing floor for Araunah. It wasn’t a huge amount of money, just fifty silver shekels (which was like a lot of money in that time!). Araunah Refuses – But Then Changes His Mind: This is the crucial part! Araunah doesn't agree to the deal. He says, "Nay!" However, he does say he’ll buy it for a price: he'll pay David fifty shekels of silver. What Does This Verse Mean? This verse is about faith and taking a leap of faith. It’s not just about buying something; it’s about trusting in someone else to help you achieve something bigger. Here's what it says: Faith: Araunah wasn’t trying to earn the threshing floor. He was relying on God's permission and guidance. Taking a Risk: He was willing to risk losing something he already had (his pride) by taking this chance. God’s Blessing: David’s willingness to buy the threshing floor shows that God is okay with you doing things, even if they seem risky or challenging. It's a Story About Obedience and Trust: The verse highlights that sometimes, it's better to trust in God’s plan rather than trying to control everything yourself. In short, this story illustrates that God will help us when we take the right steps, even if those steps seem difficult or risky. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the Bible verse? Discuss a specific theme in this story (like faith, risk-taking, or obedience)?

Definition: And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 24:25 together. It's a really important passage about God’s relationship with David and his actions. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse describes a time when David was very devout and made a significant offering to God. Here's the breakdown: “And David built there an altar unto the LORD…” – This means David started building a special place dedicated to worshipping God. He created a temple – a sacred space for religious rituals. “…and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.” - These are types of sacrifices made to show respect and devotion to God. Think of them as gifts or offerings he gave to demonstrate his faith. “So the LORD was intreated for the land…” – This is a key part. God, in his wisdom, asked something of David – He asked him to protect the land and people of Israel. “…and the plague was stayed from Israel.” - Because of this request, God decided to temporarily stop a bad thing happening in Israel (a plague). This shows that God’s will was being honored through David's actions. In a nutshell, this verse tells us that David was a very important and devoted leader who made a powerful offering to God, which ultimately resulted in a blessing for the land of Israel. What does it tell us about God? This verse shows several things: God is involved in everything: It’s not just about David; it's about God’s plan and His desire to protect and bless his people. David was a good person: He made a significant offering, which demonstrates his faith and respect for God. God can work through even difficult situations: The plague being stayed shows that God's will is powerful and can influence events, even when things seem bad. Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail? For example, we could go into: The context of the time – what was happening in Israel at this point? What "burnt offerings" and "peace offerings" were? Why did God ask David to protect the land?