DAVID AND ARAUNAH.


After David had reigned may years, he numbered the people of Israel.
This was wrong; and God sent a pestilence which destroyed seventy
thousand men. David was grieved, and prayed that God would punish him
and spare the people. God stayed the hand of the destroying angel; who
stood by the threshing-floor of Araunah, whither David was told to go
and offer sacrifice. David went. He purchased the threshing-floor of
Araunah, also oxen and wood and offered a burnt sacrifice to God. The
following verses describe the scene:--

Beside Araunah's threshing-place
The awful angel took his stand,
When from high heaven came words of grace--
"It is enough; stay now thine hand."

For David's penitential prayer
Had enter'd God's compassionate ear;
And where the angel stood, even there
God bade the King and altar rear.

Araunah offered ground, and wood,
And oxen for the sacrifice:
David stood noble wish withstood,
And bought them all at full price.