Judges 2:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Although all surrounding nations were under King David's rule, the Lord did not allow the total destruction of the Jebusites. As He states, ‘That He might tempt Israel with them, whether they would keep to the way of the Lord, and walk in it.’ For this reason, the prophet instructed David, “Go, build an altar unto the Lord in the threshing floor of Orna the Jebusite” (2 Sam. 24:18). This king represented the Gentile people. Notice, brethren, that within Jewish territory, no site was deemed worthy of an altar for the Lord; rather, it was in Gentile lands that such a location was designated. Here, the angel appears, the altar is established, and the anger of the Almighty God is appeased.