King Solomon addresses the people, sharing the divine plan for the Temple by recounting God's words to his father, David [רש״י, אברבנאל]. For generations, starting from the Exodus from Egypt and continuing through the settlement of the land, God did not have a permanent stone structure. His presence dwelled in temporary, curtain-covered Tabernacles [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A unique tradition highlights the precision of this timeline. On the very night the Israelites left Egypt, God miraculously transported them to the future site of the Temple to eat the Passover sacrifice. Therefore, the long period of having no permanent city officially began the very next morning [חומת אנך].
The divine message presents an interesting contrast. God notes that He had not yet chosen a city, but then concludes by announcing His choice of a person, David. Naturally, a statement about not having a city would seem to end with the selection of Jerusalem. However, the choice of the king and the choice of the city are deeply intertwined. God kept the location of Jerusalem hidden until David was selected. David was the first leader to take the initiative to build a permanent home for God, and it was only through his prayers at the threshing floor of Araunah that the exact site was finally revealed [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל].
This sequence of choosing a king before a city also reflects the spiritual and national growth of the Israelites. Jewish law dictates that the Commandment to appoint a king must be fulfilled before the Commandment to build the Temple [חומת אנך]. Forming a complete nation requires two distinct layers of unity. First is physical and national unity, centered around Jerusalem, which acts as the heart pumping life into the people. Second is the unity of leadership, provided by the Davidic dynasty, which serves as the guiding mind. Only when the national body is fully united and properly led can the divine soul—God's presence in the Temple—truly emerge. Mentioning David automatically implies the choice of Jerusalem, because perfect leadership naturally encompasses the physical center of the nation [מלבי״ם].
The ultimate goal was to construct a dedicated building within this chosen city [מצודת דוד]. This structure was carefully planned to include a Holy of Holies specifically designed to hold the Ark of the Covenant [רלב״ג]. The divine plan culminated in selecting David to rule over the people, fulfilling his destiny as the king who would lead the Israelites and pave the way for God's permanent home [ביאור שטיינזלץ].