1 Kings 8:16

16 Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I have chosen no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that my name might be there, but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

1 Kings 8:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 8:16

Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of
Egypt
Which was now about four hundred and eighty eight years ago; see ( 1 Kings 6:1 1 Kings 6:38 ) ( 8:2 ) .

I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that
my name might be therein;
he had chosen one in his mind from all eternity; but he had not made known this choice, nor the place he had chosen; he gave hints by Moses, that there was a place which he should choose, or declare he had chosen to put his name in, but did not express it, ( Deuteronomy 12:5 Deuteronomy 12:11 ) but now it was a clear case that he had chosen Jerusalem, and that was the city he always had in view, see ( 2 Chronicles 6:6 ) ,

but I chose David to be over my people Israel;
to be their king, and to him he gave the first hint of the place where the temple was to be built, ( 1 Chronicles 22:1 ) , and he chose no man, and his family with him, before him, to rule over Israel, and be concerned in such a work, see ( 2 Chronicles 6:5 ) .

1 Kings 8:16 In-Context

14 And the king turned his face about and blessed all the congregation of Israel, and all the congregation of Israel were standing.

15 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth unto David my father, and with his hand has fulfilled it, saying,

16 Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I have chosen no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that my name might be there, but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

17 And it was in the heart of David, my father, to build a house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

18 But the LORD said unto David, my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart;