David's desire to build a house for God was first covered in 2 Samuel 7, entry. David tells Nathan what he wants to do, and Nathan, before consulting God, says, "Yeah, do whatever seems right to you." Nathan, who had observed David and repeatedly saw how God gave him amazing power and wisdom, assumed that David was the obvious choice for a builder of the temple of God.
Even Nathan, who was a direct conduit to God himself, made a mistake. He's human. Nathan jumped the gun. God, of course, told David it wasn't going to be him who establishes the temple. God doesn't directly say why He wouldn't have David do it, and what the answer boils down to is that God will do what He wills. God has a plan set aside for David, and that building a temple is not part of it.
And actually, God has something greater in store for David, in not letting a lamp for David go out in Israel's royal line. The Davidic line would amount to something special. We already know that in spite of the numbskulls that occupied the throne following David, that lamp would not go out.
David's response is pretty heartening. Humble. David recognizes that God will do His will, and that it is perfect and right.
It's disappointing when we get these ideas of what we could possibly do for God, as though God would say, "that's a good idea, Jon. I would have never thought of that." This serves the purpose of reducing our own glory, and elevating God's glory, which is apparently why creation exists to begin with. Assuming that's true, it makes sense.
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