A dramatic encounter unfolds at the threshing floor between King David and Araunah the Jebusite, marked by an extraordinary display of generosity intended to halt a devastating plague. Araunah steps forward with a remarkable offer, volunteering all his property required for the sacrifice out of pure goodwill [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. However, this total surrender of wealth does not materialize as a free gift, as David firmly refuses to accept the property without paying its full price [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. In a practical sense, this readiness simply means that Araunah willingly provided everything the king requested of him [רד״ק, אברבנאל].
The royal title attached to Araunah's name during this exchange presents an intriguing detail, understood through two distinct lenses. From a historical perspective, Araunah was actually the former Jebusite ruler of Jerusalem before it fell to David [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Following the conquest, the Jebusites were permitted to remain in the city as tax-paying citizens because they committed to the seven universal moral laws and abandoned idolatry [רד״ק]. Araunah himself fully converted and became a devoted friend to David, yet the title of king remained a lasting reminder of his former status [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Alternatively, the title is understood conceptually as a reflection of his immense generosity. Offering such substantial wealth for free is the characteristic behavior of a monarch, rather than that of a simple farmer [אברבנאל].
Concluding his offer, Araunah offers a heartfelt prayer that God will willingly accept the burnt offerings, find favor in the act, and bring the plague to an end [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Even though he was ready to give away his own possessions, Araunah carefully emphasizes that God is David's God. This specific phrasing ensures that the spiritual merit and righteousness of the sacrifice will be credited solely to David, and that God will answer the king's prayer [אברבנאל]. This sincere exchange teaches a profound lesson about the value of goodwill from any individual. It serves as a reminder never to underestimate the blessing of an ordinary person, for even the great king of Israel received a blessing from Araunah, and that blessing was ultimately fulfilled [אברבנאל].