The answer is: Because he was a man of war

1 Chr 22:8

King David, celebrated as "a man after God's own heart," had a vision to build a grand temple as a dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant. However, in 1 Chronicles 22:8, we see a divine roadblock: David is told he cannot fulfill this dream because he has been a warrior who shed blood. This isn't a simple reprimand; instead, it highlights a profound truth about how divinely chosen duties do not always align with personal desires.

David’s passion for God is reflective in Psalm 27:4, where he expresses a longing for God’s presence. Ironically, his very efforts to sacrifice for God—while commendable—made him an unsuitable builder of the sanctuary. God had something more beautiful planned. His son Solomon, a king known for peace and wisdom, would take on that monumental task instead.

What’s fascinating is how this choice resonates with Western architectural history—the significance of repurposing one’s experience: Solomon’s Temple was built on the foundation of his father’s militaristic conquests but from a flourishing peacetime period. The cycle also mirrors divine intervention in history, often working through progeny to bring forth a lasting legacy.

In trivia, many believers simply refer to the Temple as "Solomon's Temple," though its construction illustrates a pivotal moment in the unification of Israel under continued devotion, standing not just for physical space, but as symbolic of a communal identity rooted in faith and shared history. Thus, the narrative highlights that while our past may shape us, it doesn’t confine our future endeavors towards divine pursuits.