II Chronicles 3 (NIV)

Summary:

Solomon Builds the Temple
Verses 1-17

Where:  Mount Moriah in Jerusalem; where God had appeared to David on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite

When:  Day 2, Month 2, Year 4 of his reign

How: 
- Foundation  ~90ft long X 30ft wide (60 cubits X 20 cubits)
- Portico (~ Porch)  ~ 30ft wide X 30ft high (20 cubits X 20 cubits)
- Interior - overlaid with pure gold; main hall paneled with pine, covered in fine gold; decorated with palm trees and chain designs
              - temple adorned with precious stones & gold of Parvaim
              - overlaid ceiling beams, door frames, walls, and doors with gold
              - carved cherubim on the walls
- Most Holy Place  ~ 30ft long X 30ft wide (20 cubits X 20 cubits)
              - overlaid the interior with ~ 23 tons (600 talents) of fine gold
              - gold nails ~ 1 1/4 lbs (50 shekels) each
              - overlaid upper parts with gold
              - cherubim: overlaid with gold; wingspan ~30ft (20 cubits); one wing ~7 1/2 ft (5 cubits); outer wings touched the temple walls, inner wings touched each other; stood on their feet, facing the main hall
              - curtain: blue, purple, crimson yarn; fine linen; interwoven cherubim
- 2 Pillars in Front of Temple  ~ 52ft high (35 cubits) [combined height?]
              - capital on top of each pillar ~ 7 1/2 ft high (5 cubits)
              - interwoven chains on top, with 100 pomegranates attached to the chains
              - one on the South side named Jakin (~ "he establishes")
              - one on the North side named Boaz (~ "in him is strength")

Lori's Thoughts:

When David had incurred the wrath of God and the angel of death was stopped at Araunah's threshing floor - David bought this place and dedicated it to God, re-establishing their covenant.  So, it is appropriate that Solomon would build the temple here.

Have you ever seen the movie "the Holiday", with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, where they switch houses for two weeks?  There's a scene where Kate first enters Cameron's gated mansion.  She spends the next 5 minutes running from room to room, jumping and screaming in reaction to the extravagance of the place.  I imagine that is how we would react to this intricately and luxuriously designed temple that Solomon built.

For example, the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place had to be at least 30 feet high.  I cross-stitch.  My biggest and most elaborate piece is about 1 1/2 ft X 2 1/2 ft.  It took me 2 1/2 years to complete it.  Granted, this wasn't my full-time job.  Had it been, it probably would have taken me 6 months.  By that measure, it would have taken me 7 years to do the cherubim on the curtain.

I love the idea of the chains with pomegranates.  They're like charm bracelets for the pillars.  And the cherubim!  Wow!  I used to think that they were about 1 foot tall, covering the tabernacle.  When they say watching over the Most Holy Place, they mean it!  These statues were probably as tall as the inside of the temple.  And their wingspan is more than that of 3 eagles combined!  I hope God lets me see it in His archives.