2Ch 3 | MHM | STEP | The Temple Built This section describes the building of Solomon’s temple, focusing on the place, timing, size, and beautiful decorations. Solomon did not choose the location himself; it was already decided by God. The temple was built in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, a place full of history and meaning for Israel. The construction began in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, after careful preparation. The temple was built according to the exact measurements and instructions given by God, and it was decorated with gold and precious stones, showing its importance as a house for the Lord . v. 1 : The temple was built in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, where God had appeared to David and answered him by fire (1 Chronicles 22:1; 1 Chronicles 21:18, 26 ). Some believe this was the same place where Abraham offered Isaac (Genesis 22:2 ). Solomon followed God’s choice and did not look for a different location. The site was also the threshing floor of Ornan, a reminder that God’s house is for all people and requires hard work and dedication.

‏ 2 Chronicles 3

The Temple Built

This section describes the building of Solomon’s temple, focusing on the place, timing, size, and beautiful decorations. Solomon did not choose the location himself; it was already decided by God. The temple was built in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, a place full of history and meaning for Israel. The construction began in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, after careful preparation. The temple was built according to the exact measurements and instructions given by God, and it was decorated with gold and precious stones, showing its importance as a house for the Lord.

v. 1: The temple was built in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, where God had appeared to David and answered him by fire (1 Chronicles 22:1; 1 Chronicles 21:18, 26 ^a). Some believe this was the same place where Abraham offered Isaac (Genesis 22:2 ^b). Solomon followed God’s choice and did not look for a different location. The site was also the threshing floor of Ornan, a reminder that God’s house is for all people and requires hard work and dedication.

v. 2: Solomon began building the temple in the fourth year of his reign . The first three years were spent gathering materials and preparing for the work. Some think this was a sabbatical year, when people had more time to help with the building.

v. 3: The temple’s dimensions were set by God and passed down from David to Solomon . Solomon followed these instructions exactly, because what God plans is perfect and should not be changed (Ecclesiastes 3:14 ^c).

v. 4-7: The temple was richly decorated. The inside was covered with pure gold, including the beams, posts, walls, and doors (2 Chronicles 3:4-7 ^d). The gold was from Parvaim, known for its quality. The decorations included palm trees, chains, and precious stones, making the temple beautiful and valuable. This pointed forward to the New Jerusalem, described as being full of precious stones and pearls (Revelation 21:18, 19, 21 ^e).

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v. 8: The most holy place, a perfect square, was also covered with fine gold, even the roof and floor . Every detail, even the nails, was made with care and value.

v. 9: Many precious stones were set in the temple, dedicated by David and others (1 Chronicles 29:2, 8 ^f). These stones were placed where they would shine the most, showing the temple’s glory.

v. 10-13: Two large cherubim (angelic figures) were placed in the most holy place, or the inner room of the temple (2 Chronicles 3:10-13 ^g). These cherubim were crafted by carving and overlaid with gold, designed to fill the space of the most holy place, which was twenty cubits wide. Each cherub’s wingspan was such that one wing touched the wall of the room, and the other wing touched the wing of the other cherub, making the combined wingspan twenty cubits overall. The cherubim stood on their feet, facing inward toward the ark, symbolizing their role as servants of God rather than objects of worship. Their large size and golden covering emphasized the importance and glory of this sacred space. This reminds us to worship God together with the angels, not the angels themselves (Hebrews 12:22 ^h).

v. 11–13: The wings of each cherub were five cubits long, so each pair together spanned twenty cubits—the exact width of the most holy place. One wing of each cherub touched the wall, and the other wing touched the wing of the other cherub. They stood upright, facing inward toward the ark, showing they were servants, not objects to be worshipped. This teaches us not to worship angels, but to worship with them, sharing in their reverence for God (2 Chronicles 3:11–13 ⁱ).

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v. 14: Solomon made a veil of blue, purple, crimson, and fine linen, decorated with cherubim. This veil separated the most holy place from the rest of the temple, symbolizing the distance between God and the people before Jesus came. The cherubim were woven in raised work, possibly pictured as ascending, reminding worshippers to lift their hearts to God. This veil showed that people could not come close to God because of sin, but when Jesus died, the veil was torn, giving us access to God (2 Chronicles 3:14; Hebrews 10:19-20 ^j).

v. 15: Two tall pillars, called Jachin and Boaz, were set up in front of the temple (2 Chronicles 3:15; 1 Kings 7:15-22 ^k). These pillars symbolized strength and stability in God’s house and in the work done for Him. Each pillar was thirty-five cubits high with a five-cubit capital on top. Chains like those in the inner sanctuary were placed on the pillar tops, and a hundred pomegranates hung on the chains. The names Jachin and Boaz mean “establishment” and “strength,” representing the stability and strength that comes from God’s presence in the temple (2 Chronicles 3:15–17 ^l).