1 Kings 8:16
New International Version
Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name might be there, but I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.’

New Living Translation
‘From the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have never chosen a city among any of the tribes of Israel as the place where a Temple should be built to honor my name. But I have chosen David to be king over my people Israel.’”

English Standard Version
‘Since the day that I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose 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.’

Berean Standard Bible
‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

King James Bible
Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

New King James Version
‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.’

New American Standard Bible
‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel from Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house so that My name would be there, but I chose David to be over My people Israel.’

NASB 1995
Since the day that I brought My people Israel from Egypt, I did not choose a 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.’

NASB 1977
‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel from Egypt, I did not choose a 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.’

Legacy Standard Bible
‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel from Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, but I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

Amplified Bible
‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I did not choose a [particular] city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name (Presence) would be in it, but I chose David to be over My people Israel.’

Christian Standard Bible
“Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city to build a temple in among any of the tribes of Israel, so that my name would be there. But I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city to build a temple in among any of the tribes of Israel, so that My name would be there. But I have chosen David to rule My people Israel.”

American Standard Version
Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be there; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

English Revised Version
Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be there; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
'Ever since I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I didn't choose any city in any of the tribes of Israel as a place to build a temple for my name. But now I've chosen David to rule my people Israel.'

Good News Translation
'From the time I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen any city in all the land of Israel in which a temple should be built where I would be worshiped. But I chose you, David, to rule my people.'"

International Standard Version
From the day I brought out my people Israel from Egypt I never chose a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a temple where my name might reside. I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.'

Majority Standard Bible
?Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.?

NET Bible
He told David, 'Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a temple in which to live. But I have chosen David to lead my people Israel.'

New Heart English Bible
Since the day that I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, so that my name might be there; nor did I choose anyone to be a leader over my people Israel. But I have chosen Jerusalem, so that my name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.'

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
‘Since the day that I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be there; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
From the day that I brought out My people, even Israel, from Egypt, I have not fixed on a city out of all the tribes of Israel, to build a house for My Name being there; and I fix on David to be over My people Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
From the day that I brought out My people, even Israel, from Egypt, I have not fixed on a city out of all the tribes of Israel, to build a house for My name being there; and I fix on David to be over My people Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
From the day which I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt I chose not a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a house for my name to be there; and I will choose upon David to be over my people Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Since the day that I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel, for a house to be built, that my name might be there: but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
‘From the day when I led my people Israel away from Egypt, I did not choose any city out of all the tribes of Israel, so that a house would be built, and so that my name might be there. Instead, I chose David to be over my people Israel.’

New American Bible
Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city out of any tribe of Israel for the building of a house, that my name might be there; but I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
‘Since the day that I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any of 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.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose 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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
‘From the day when I brought out my people the children of Israel from Egypt, I have not taken pleasure in a city of all the tribes of Israel to build the house where my name will be, and I was pleased with David, that he would be over my people Israel.’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Since the day that I brought forth My people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
From the day that I brought out my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any one tribe of Israel to build a house, so that my name should be there: but I chose Jerusalem that my name should be there, and I chose David to be over my people Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon Praises the LORD
15and said: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His own hand what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying, 16‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ 17Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 6:5-6
‘Since the day I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be ruler over My people Israel. / But now I have chosen Jerusalem for My Name to be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

Deuteronomy 12:5
Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go.

2 Samuel 7:4-13
But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, / “Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build for Me a house to dwell in? / For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved about with a tent as My dwelling. ...

1 Chronicles 17:4-14
“Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build Me a house in which to dwell. / For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved from tent to tent and dwelling to dwelling. / In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’ ...

Psalm 132:11-14
The LORD swore an oath to David, a promise He will not revoke: “One of your descendants I will place on your throne. / If your sons keep My covenant and the testimony I will teach them, then their sons will also sit on your throne forever and ever.” / For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His home: ...

Acts 7:46-47
who found favor in the sight of God and asked to provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. / But it was Solomon who built the house for Him.

2 Samuel 6:21
But David said to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me over your father and all his house when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD,

1 Chronicles 28:4-6
Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah He chose my father’s household, and from my father’s sons He was pleased to make me king over all Israel. / And of all my sons—for the LORD has given me many sons—He has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. / And He said to me, ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him as My son, and I will be his Father.

Isaiah 66:1-2
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

2 Samuel 7:1-3
After the king had settled into his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, / he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” / And Nathan replied to the king, “Go and do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.”

1 Chronicles 22:9-10
But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign. / He is the one who will build a house for My Name. He will be My son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

Acts 7:48-50
However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things?’

2 Samuel 7:18-29
Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? / And as if this was a small thing in Your eyes, O Lord GOD, You have also spoken about the future of the house of Your servant. Is this Your custom with man, O Lord GOD? / What more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord GOD. ...

1 Chronicles 17:16-27
Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? / And as if this was a small thing in Your eyes, O God, You have spoken about the future of the house of Your servant and have regarded me as a man of great distinction, O LORD God. / What more can David say to You for honoring Your servant? For You know Your servant, ...

Psalm 78:67-69
He rejected the tent of Joseph and refused the tribe of Ephraim. / But He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved. / He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth He has established forever.


Treasury of Scripture

Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

Since

2 Samuel 7:6,7
Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle…

2 Chronicles 6:5
Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel:

I chose

1 Chronicles 17:5,6
For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another

Psalm 132:13
For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

my name

1 Kings 8:29
That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.

1 Kings 11:36
And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

Deuteronomy 12:11
Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

I chose David

1 Samuel 16:1
And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

2 Samuel 7:8
Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:

1 Chronicles 28:4
Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:

Jump to Previous
Build Chose City David Egypt Forth House Israel Therein Tribes
Jump to Next
Build Chose City David Egypt Forth House Israel Therein Tribes
1 Kings 8
1. The feast of the temple
12. Solomon's blessing
22. Solomon's prayer
54. Solomon's blessing
62. His sacrifice of peace offerings














Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt
This phrase refers to the pivotal event of the Exodus, where God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The Hebrew root for "brought" is "yatsa," which means to go out or come forth. This act of deliverance is foundational in Israel's history, symbolizing God's power and faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of God's covenant relationship with Israel, emphasizing His role as their Redeemer and Protector.

I have not chosen a city out of all the tribes of Israel
Here, the emphasis is on God's sovereign choice. The Hebrew word for "chosen" is "bachar," indicating a deliberate and purposeful selection. Historically, this reflects the period of the Judges when Israel had no central place of worship. God's decision not to choose a city until this point underscores His divine timing and plan, highlighting that His purposes unfold according to His wisdom.

in which to build a house for My Name to dwell
The "house" refers to the temple, a central place of worship for Israel. The Hebrew word for "house" is "bayith," which can mean a dwelling or temple. The phrase "for My Name to dwell" signifies God's presence and His desire to be among His people. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a temple was seen as the dwelling place of a deity, and for Israel, the temple was where God's presence was uniquely manifest.

but I have chosen David
This phrase highlights God's choice of David as king. The Hebrew root "bachar" is used again, emphasizing God's sovereign election. David is a central figure in Israel's history, a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). His selection signifies a new era for Israel, with Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center, and foreshadows the coming of the Messiah from David's lineage.

to be over My people Israel
The phrase "My people Israel" reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The Hebrew word for "people" is "am," denoting a community bound by shared identity and purpose. God's choice of David to be "over" His people indicates a divinely appointed leadership, with David as a shepherd-king, guiding Israel according to God's will. This leadership is a type of Christ, the ultimate Shepherd and King.

(16) I chose no city.--In this verse, as in some other cases, for coherence of idea, it seems necessary to correct from the fuller version in 2Chronicles 6:5-6, by an addition after the word "therein." It should run: "Neither chose I any man to be ruler over my people, but I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel." The parallel in the two points referred to is exact. As there were temporary resting places for the ark--such as Gilgal, Shiloh, Kirjathjearim, and Zion--so there were rulers raised up successively for a time, and then removed. Now there was to be one fixed place as the Sanctuary of God, and one royal house of David to continue for ever.

Verse 16. - Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel, to build a house, that my name might be therein [The chronicler adds here, "Neither chose I any man to be ruler," etc. Probably our account comes nearer to the words actually spoken. The speech in the Chronicles looks as if it had been somewhat amplified, though it only completes the sense (Rawlinson)], but I chose David to be over my people Israel. [Cf. Psalm 78:70. This psalm pursues much the same line of thought as this address.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
‘Since
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the day
הַיּ֗וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

I brought My people
עַמִּ֣י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

out
הוֹצֵ֜אתִי (hō·w·ṣê·ṯî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of Egypt,
מִמִּצְרַיִם֒ (mim·miṣ·ra·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

I have not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

chosen
בָחַ֣רְתִּי (ḇā·ḥar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 977: To try, select

a city
בְעִ֗יר (ḇə·‘îr)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

from any
מִכֹּל֙ (mik·kōl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

tribe
שִׁבְטֵ֣י (šiḇ·ṭê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

[in which] to build
לִבְנ֣וֹת (liḇ·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1129: To build

a house
בַּ֔יִת (ba·yiṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

so that My Name
שְׁמִ֖י (šə·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034: A name

would be
לִהְי֥וֹת (lih·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

there.
שָׁ֑ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

But I have chosen
וָאֶבְחַ֣ר (wā·’eḇ·ḥar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 977: To try, select

David
בְּדָוִ֔ד (bə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

to be
לִֽהְי֖וֹת (lih·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

My people
עַמִּ֥י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Israel.?
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


Links
1 Kings 8:16 NIV
1 Kings 8:16 NLT
1 Kings 8:16 ESV
1 Kings 8:16 NASB
1 Kings 8:16 KJV

1 Kings 8:16 BibleApps.com
1 Kings 8:16 Biblia Paralela
1 Kings 8:16 Chinese Bible
1 Kings 8:16 French Bible
1 Kings 8:16 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Kings 8:16 Since the day that I brought forth (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 8:15
Top of Page
Top of Page