1 Kings 8:16

16 Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel from Egypt, I have chosen no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be therein; 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 to David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled [it], saying,

16 Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel from Egypt, I have chosen no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be therein; 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 And the LORD said to David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house to my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart.