Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Kings 8:29

"that thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place whereof thou hast said, My name shall be there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray toward this place." — 1 Kings 8:29 (ASV)

The choice of Jerusalem as the place seems to have been made by special revelation to David. See Psalm 78:68, Psalms 132:13, and compare 1 Chronicles 22:1.

Toward this place — This is a better translation (here and in 1 Kings 8:30) than the marginal reading, “in.” Wherever they were, the Jews always worshiped toward the temple.