To David’s credit, he takes responsibility for the error in judgment. He even asks God to spare His people and instead punish him and his family. Anytime sin separated the people from God, a sacrifice was required to come back into right relationship. This is exactly what was required of David.
“The presentation of appropriate burnt offerings and peace offerings (v. 1Ch 21:26) would be the occasion for reconciliation, as the Law explained (Num 15:1-10).”
Nelson’s Commentary
David was told to build the altar on the threshing floor of Ornan. This was significant. As David Guzik notes, “The threshing floor of Ornan had both rich history and a rich future. 2 Ch 3:1 tells us that the threshing floor of Ornan was on Mount Moriah; the same hill where Abraham offered Isaac (Gen 22:2), and the same set of hills where Jesus died on the cross (Gen 22:14).
David requested the site from Ornan and it seemed that it would be given to him. But David insisted on paying the full price and bought the site for 240 ounces of gold, or, $100,000. This is an important detail. Much like the Lord required the best animal to be put on the altar, it would cost something. There was a price.
Today, that cost means giving our entire lives to Jesus Christ. Though grace is freely given, there is a cost to follow. In Luke 14, Jesus says this…
“So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:33 ESV
Discipleship means placing all things in God’s hands. Sometimes we approach decisions by contributing the bare minimum. But following Jesus is not just any decision. It’s not a trivial matter. God deserves all of us. If you are not continually evaluating and striving to be fully devoted to God, you may not be His disciple.