2 Chronicles 3: The House Begins to Rise
On Mount Moriah, where God appeared to David, Solomon builds the temple, overlaying it with gold and crowning its porch with the pillars Jachin and Boaz.
2 Chronicles 3 (WEB)
1 Then Solomon began to build Yahweh’s house at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where Yahweh appeared to David his father, which he prepared in the place that David had appointed, in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
2 He began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
3 Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid for the building of God’s house. The length by cubits after the first measure was sixty cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
4 The porch that was in front, its length, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and the height one hundred twenty; and he overlaid it within with pure gold.
5 The greater house he made a ceiling with fir wood, which he overlaid with fine gold, and ornamented it with palm trees and chains.
6 He garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim.
7 He overlaid also the house, the beams, the thresholds, and its walls, and its doors, with gold; and engraved cherubim on the walls.
8 He made the most holy house: its length, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and its breadth twenty cubits; and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.
9 The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He overlaid the upper rooms with gold.
10 In the most holy house he made two cherubim of image work; and they overlaid them with gold.
11 The wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: the wing of the one was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.
12 The wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was five cubits, joining to the wing of the other cherub.
13 The wings of these cherubim spread themselves out twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were toward the house.
14 He made the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and ornamented it with cherubim.
15 Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty-five cubits high, and the capital that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.
16 He made chains in the oracle, and put them on the tops of the pillars; and he made one hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
17 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.
2 Chronicles 3 (KJV)
1 Then 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.
2 And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
3 Now 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.
4 And 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.
5 And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.
6 And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim.
7 He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubims on the walls.
8 And 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.
9 And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
10 And in the most holy house he made two cherubims of image work, and overlaid them with gold.
11 And 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.
12 And 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.
13 The wings of these cherubims spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were inward.
14 And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.
15 Also 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.
16 And 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.
17 And 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.
2 Chronicles 3 (ASV)
1 Then Solomon began to build the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem on mount Moriah, whereJehovahappeared unto David his father, which he made ready in the place that David had appointed, in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
2 And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
3 Now 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.
4 And 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.
5 And the greater house he ceiled with fir-wood, which he overlaid with fine gold, and wrought thereon palm-trees and chains.
6 And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim.
7 He overlaid also the house, the beams, the thresholds, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubim on the walls.
8 And 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.
9 And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
10 And in the most holy house he made two cherubim of image work; and they overlaid them with gold.
11 And 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.
12 And 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.
13 The wings of these cherubim spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were toward the house.
14 And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubim thereon.
15 Also 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.
16 And 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.
17 And 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.
Summary
Solomon begins to build the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, the very place where the Lord appeared to David at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. He starts in the second month of his fourth year as king, laying foundations sixty cubits long and twenty wide. The greater hall is paneled with fir and overlaid with fine gold, ornamented with palm trees and chains and garnished with precious stones from Parvaim. The most holy place, twenty cubits square, is covered with six hundred talents of fine gold, and even the nails are gold. Within it he sets two great cherubim of carved and gilded wood, their outstretched wings spanning the full twenty cubits of the room. He makes a veil of blue, purple, crimson, and fine linen embroidered with cherubim. Before the house he raises two towering pillars and names them Jachin and Boaz. The chapter overflows with gold and beauty, every detail declaring the surpassing worth and holiness of the God who would dwell among his people.
Key Figures
- Solomon — The builder-king who raises the temple on Moriah, lavishing gold and artistry on every part to reflect the glory of God.
- Mount Moriah — The chosen site where God appeared to David, rich with the memory of Abraham and Isaac, now the place of God's house.
- The cherubim — Two great gilded figures with wings spanning the most holy place, guarding the space where God's presence would dwell.
Key Verse
2 Chronicles 3:1 (WEB)
Then Solomon began to build Yahweh’s house at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where Yahweh appeared to David his father, which he prepared in the place that David had appointed, in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
Lessons Learned
- God's house rises on holy ground marked by his own appearing and grace.
- Beauty and costliness in worship can rightly express the worth of God.
- The most holy place reminds us that God is utterly holy and not to be approached carelessly.
- Every detail of God's dwelling pointed beyond itself to a greater presence still to come.
- Worship is built on God's gracious initiative. The temple stands “where Yahweh appeared to David” (2 Chronicles 3:1, WEB). We build our worship on the ground where God has already shown himself in mercy.
- God is worthy of our finest. Solomon overlays the most holy place with “fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents” (2 Chronicles 3:8, WEB). The lavish beauty preaches the surpassing value of the One worshiped there.
- God's holiness is guarded and revered. He makes “the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and ornamented it with cherubim” (2 Chronicles 3:14, WEB). The veil and cherubim mark the boundary of God's holy presence.
- God establishes and strengthens his people. The pillars are named Jachin and Boaz (2 Chronicles 3:17, WEB), names that point to God establishing and giving strength. Even the architecture proclaims his sustaining power.
- Why does it matter that the temple is built on Mount Moriah, where God appeared to David?
- What do the gold, gems, and fine fabrics communicate about how Israel viewed their God?
- What is the significance of the veil and the cherubim surrounding the most holy place?
- The pillars Jachin and Boaz speak of God establishing and strengthening. Where do you need God to establish and strengthen you?
- How does seeing such care and beauty in worship shape your own attitude when you come before God?
- Moriah is where God appeared to David at Ornan's threshing floor (3:1), and tradition links it to Abraham and Isaac. The site is soaked in God's grace and provision, so the house rises on a foundation of remembered mercy, not human achievement.
- The gold, precious stones, and rich colors (3:6-8) declare that God is supremely valuable, worthy of the very best Israel could offer. Costly worship is a language that says God matters more than anything else.
- The veil and cherubim (3:14) mark off the most holy place and signal that God is holy and access to him is restricted. They create a holy reverence and quietly anticipate the day the way to God would be opened.
- This is partly personal application. The names mean roughly “he establishes” and “in him is strength.” Invite the group to name areas of instability or weakness and to ask God, who establishes and strengthens, to uphold them.
- This is a personal-application question. Encourage members to reflect on whether their hearts approach God with the reverence and care the temple embodied, and to bring their best, not their leftovers, into his presence. Keep the tone warm.