Definition: And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take [that] which [is] thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 21:24. It’s a really important part of understanding David’s actions and his relationship with God. Here’s a simple explanation: What it says: “And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take [that] which [is] thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.” Let's unpack it word by word: “And king David said…” – This tells us this is a conversation between David and someone named Ornan. It’s a significant moment in the Bible. “…Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price…” - "Nay" means “no” or “stop.” So, David is saying, "No, I won't just take this thing; I’ll pay its true worth." “Verily” adds emphasis – he’s being very serious. “…for I will not take [that] which thine for the LORD…” - This is the core of the verse. “That” refers to the thing David wants to buy. He’s saying, "I won't take this thing from your possession ." The key word here is " thy ." It means your – his own possessions. "...nor offer burnt offerings without cost.” - This is a very important part. “Burnt offerings” were sacrifices offered to God as a way of showing respect and acknowledging His power. "Without cost" means it’s not free, it requires something to be paid for. What does this verse mean in general? This passage is about respect and responsibility. David was being incredibly generous – he was offering the entire thing (the kingdom) to God. But he understood that he had a responsibility to honor God by giving back what He received. He wasn't just handing over his power; he was acknowledging God’s authority and showing gratitude through sacrifice. Why is this important? This verse shows: David’s humility: He recognized his own worthiness and didn’t want to be arrogant. God’s absolute sovereignty: He understood that God owns everything, and giving back is a sign of respect. The importance of giving back: It’s a fundamental principle in many religions – offering something of value to the divine. In short, David was showing his reverence by not just taking what he received, but also acknowledging God's authority through sacrifice. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Provide a historical context for it? Connect it to other biblical stories or themes?