1 Chronicles 21:26
And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.
1 Chronicles 21:26 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, we see David constructing an altar to the Lord and making offerings of burnt offerings and peace offerings. This act of building an altar and offering sacrifices was a common practice in the Old Testament as a way to seek forgiveness, thanksgiving, or worship of God. By offering burnt offerings, David was symbolizing his surrender and dedication to God, while peace offerings were a way to express gratitude and reconciliation with God. Calling upon the Lord in prayer during this ritual showed David's reliance on God for guidance and help. The response from heaven, in the form of fire consuming the offerings on the altar, was a visible sign of God accepting David's offerings and answering his prayers. This event signifies the presence and approval of God in David's life, reinforcing the belief in the power of prayer and sacrificial worship in connecting with the divine.
Theological Overview
David's act of building an altar and offering burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD in this verse demonstrates his desire to worship and seek God's favor. The act of building an altar was a common practice in the Old Testament for offering sacrifices to God. The burnt offerings symbolized total dedication and surrender to God, while the peace offerings expressed gratitude and fellowship with Him. By calling upon the LORD, David is showing his reliance on God for help and guidance. In response to this act of worship, the LORD answered him from heaven by sending fire upon the altar of burnt offering. This display of divine intervention validated David's offering and highlighted the importance of genuine worship and obedience. This passage emphasizes the significance of seeking God's presence and favor through sincere worship and obedience.
1 Chronicles 21:26 in other translations
American Standard Version
And David built there an altar unto Jehovah, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, and called upon Jehovah; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt-offering.
World English Bible
David built an altar to Yahweh there, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on Yahweh; and he answered him from the sky by fire on the altar of burnt offering.
Douay-Rheims
And he built there an altar to the Lord: and he offered holocausts, and peace offerings, and he called upon the Lord, and he heard him by sending fire from heaven upon the altar of the holocaust.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Dauid built there an altar vnto the Lord, and offred burnt offrings, and peace offrings, and called vpon the Lord, and he answered him by fire from heauen vpon the altar of burnt offring.