1 Kings 8:16

Verse

‘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.’

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

From the day when I took my people Israel out of Egypt, no town in all the tribes of Israel has been marked out by me for the building of a house for the resting-place of my name; but I made selection of David to be king over my people Israel.

Free Bible Version

‘Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt I have not chosen any town of the tribes of Israel as the place to build a Temple to honor me. But I have chosen David as king over my people Israel.’

Geneva Bible 1599

Since the day that I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no citie of all the tribes of Israel, to builde an house that my name might be there: but I haue chosen Dauid to be ouer my people Israel.

King James (Authorized) 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 therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

Translation for Translators

‘From the time that I brought my people out of Egypt, I have never chosen any city in Israel in which a temple should be built for my people to worship me there. But I chose you, David, to rule my people.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

'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, in order for my name to be there. However, I chose David to rule over my people Israel.'

Noah Webster Bible

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.’

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.

Context

Solomon Blesses 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.’

Summary

In this verse, King Solomon acknowledges that God has fulfilled His promise to his father, David, by allowing Solomon to sit on the throne of Israel. Solomon recognizes that this fulfillment is not due to his own merit or achievements, but because of God's faithfulness to His covenant with David. The verse highlights the importance of God's sovereignty and His commitment to His chosen people throughout generations. It serves as a reminder that God's promises are trustworthy and that He remains faithful to fulfill them in His perfect timing.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Since the day, etc. - Mention is here made, says Dr. Kennicott, of some one place and some one person preferred before all others; and the preference is that of Jerusalem to other places, and of David to other men. In consequence of this remark, we shall see the necessity of correcting this passage by its parallel in Ch2 6:5, Ch2 6:6, where the thirteen Hebrew words now lost in Kings are happily preserved. Let us compare the passages: - 1 Kings 2 Chronicles Since to day that I brought forth my people Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no City out of the land of Egypt, I chose no City out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, among all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that my name might be therein; that my name might be there; neither chose I any Man to be a ruler over my people Israel: but I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name but I chose David to be might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. over my people Israel. I would just observe here, that I do not think these thirteen words ever made a part of Kings, and consequently, are not lost from it; nor do they exist here in any of the versions; but their being found in Chronicles helps to complete the sense.