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2 Chronicles

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2 Chronicles 3

1Then Solomon began to build the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem on mount Moriah, where Jehovah appeared unto David his father, which he made ready in the place that David had appointed, in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

1Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Commentary · verse 1

After much preparation by David and Solomon himself, Solomon began building the temple.

2And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.

2And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.

Commentary · verse 2

It took Solomon over four years to start building.

3Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.

3Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.

Commentary · verse 3

The dimensions of the foundation of the temple were 90 feet long and 30 feet wide.

4And the porch that was before the house, the length of it, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and the height a hundred and twenty; and he overlaid it within with pure gold.

4And the porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.

Commentary · verse 4

The porch, or entry room, was 30 feet wide running along the width of the temple and 30 feet high.

5And the greater house he ceiled with fir-wood, which he overlaid with fine gold, and wrought thereon palm-trees and chains.

6And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim.

7He overlaid also the house, the beams, the thresholds, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubim on the walls.

5And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.

6And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim.

7He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubims on the walls.

Commentary · verses 5-7

This covered some of the decorations of the temple.

8And he made the most holy house: the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits; and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.

8And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.

Commentary · verse 8

The Holy of Holies, where the Ark lived, was 30 feet wide according to the width of the temple and 30 feet deep. Solomon overlaid its interior with 23 tons of gold.

9And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.

9And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.

Commentary · verse 9

Solomon used golden nails. Each weighed about 1 1/4 lbs.

10And in the most holy house he made two cherubim of image work; and they overlaid them with gold.

11And the wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: the wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.

10And in the most holy house he made two cherubims of image work, and overlaid them with gold.

11And the wings of the cherubims were twenty cubits long: one wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.

Commentary · verses 10-11

The two cherubim standing side by side had a total wingspan of 30 feet.

12And the wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cherub.

13The wings of these cherubim spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were toward the house.

12And one wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cherub.

13The wings of these cherubims spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were inward.

Commentary · verses 12-13

Each cherub had a 15 foot wingspan and the tips of the most outward wings touched the walls of the temple.

14And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubim thereon.

14And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.

Commentary · verse 14

The veil was embroidered with cherubim.

15Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the capital that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.

15Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.

Commentary · verse 15

In the front of the temple stood two pillars, each being 27 feet high with an additional 7 1/2 foot capital on each.

16And he made chains in the oracle, and put them on the tops of the pillars; and he made a hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.

17And he set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.

16And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.

17And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.

Commentary · verses 16-17

Each pillar was named:

  • The one on the right, "Jachin" which meant "He will establish."
  • The one on the left, "Boaz" which meant "in it is strength."

It was therefore said of the temple that this house of God was established by God and built by the strength of God.

Commentary · verse 17

2 Chronicles 1-3 covered Solomon's asking God for wisdom and Solomon's building of the temple.

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