John Gill Commentary 1 Kings 8:16

"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 there; but I chose David to be over my people Israel." — 1 Kings 8:16 (ASV)

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 12:5Deuteronomy 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) .