Solomon's Temple- Exquisite Craftsmanship

By Mary Vee
I Kings 6, II Chronicles 3

From Solomon's Journals

photo courtesy of christianimagesource.com

The picture in this post doesn't paint an accurate picture of the temple. I wish you could stand beside me, watching this magnificent work come together. 

Walk with me and I'll tell you what is here:  

This fine building is sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. 

In the main hall, this way, I'll show you. The main hall is paneled with pine and covered with fine gold. Look at the palm tree and chain designs intricately etched throughout. The gold is of Parvaim. The ceiling beams, door frames, walls, and doors have been overlain with gold as well.

photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Over here see the precious stones used to adorn the temple? The inside of the temple is made with cedar, carved with gourds and open flowers. 

Now, when building the temple, only blocks dress at the quarry were used and no hammer, chisel, or any other iron tool was heard at the site while it was being built. This we did to show respect for God.

Follow me to the portico. At the front of the temple is the portico, twenty cubits long and twenty cubits high. All of the inside has been overlaid with pure gold.

photo courtesy of http://www.ebibleteacher.com

I have more to show you over here. Against the walls of the main hall and inner sanctuary, a structure was built around in which side rooms have been made. The lowest floor the lowest flow was five cubits wide, the middle floor six cubits wide, and the third floor, seven. Yes, like an upside down wedding cake in a way.

The Most Holy Place is an area of twenty cubits at the rear of the temple separated with cedar boards from floor to ceiling to an inner sanctuary. Pure gold overlays the insides as was the altar of cedar and gold chains draped across the front of the inner sanctuary. The gold nails weighed fifty shekels. In there, the ark of the covenant of the Lord was placed.

photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

This what I am about to show you is quite magnificent. A pair of cherubim made from olive wood stands ten cubits high. The cherubim's wings spread out one touching one wall and the other touching the other wall, and their wings touched each other in the middle. They were overlaid with gold and stood on their feet, facing the main hall.

The curtain is intricately woven with blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen with cherubim figures worked  into it.

I see you are getting tired, let's take a break and I will continue next time. Be sure to remove your sandals and wash your feet before coming. My servants will help you.

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1. Solomon overlaid objects in the temple and the interiors with __________
2. He also used precious _______________ to decorate.
3. Why did Solomon not allow any hammer to be used on the work site?
4. What was placed in side the Most Holy Place?
5. What was the curtain made from _______________________