50 Shekels of Silver

2Sam 24:24

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.


David was desiring to restore fellowship with God after the

sin of numbering the people. He was trying to find out just

how powerful and great he was, neglecting the fact that God

had made him great. He “got too big for his own britches” and

God’s judgment was fiercely punishing King David.

As the destruction of his consequence advanced, David implored

to make peace with God. He went to the threshing floor to

sacrifice to the Lord. It was a good land and he wanted to

build an altar to God and sacrifice to Him a peace offering.

Although Araunah was willing to give David the land for free,

David realized that it had to cost him something for this to be

sincere and meaningful.

Fifty shekels of silver in today's economy is roughly $265.

It wasn’t about paying something that was super expensive.

David learned that if he desired reconciliation with God and

experience His forgiveness, he must sacrifice. What are YOU

willing to sacrifice today for God to effect your life? What are

you willing to part with? What is your “50 shekels of silver?”

Remember, Christ was betrayed for less than that!