דברי הימים א, פרק כ״א, פסוק כ״ז

A moment of divine intervention brings a complete halt to the destruction, resolving the heavy tension between strict justice and mercy. Up until this pivotal second, the destroying angel stood at the ready, waiting for explicit instructions on whether to continue or cease. God then commanded the angel to stop [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators is that God issued a direct order for the angel to return the sword to its sheath [רלב״ג]. The angel immediately obeyed, ensuring that no further harm would be done from that moment onward [מצודת דוד].

This interaction highlights God's absolute control over His messengers, much like the moment He commanded the great fish to release Jonah [רש״י].

The sheer terror inspired by the drawn sword played a crucial role in deciding the future site of the Temple. During this period, the main altar for burnt offerings was located at the high place in Gibeon. However, David was so terrified of the angel's weapon that he was completely unable to travel there to seek God. Driven by this intense fear, he prayed to God right where he stood. When David witnessed God answering him in that exact spot by ordering the angel to put away the sword, he understood clearly that this specific location was the chosen site where God's name would reside in the future [רלב״ג].