Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Chronicles 3
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Chronicles 3
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Chronicles 3
"Then 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." — 2 Chronicles 3:1 (ASV)
Where the Lord appeared to David - The marginal rendering, or “which was shown to David,” is preferred by some. The expression is understood to point out to David the proper site for the temple by the appearance of the angels and the command to build an altar (2 Samuel 24:17–25; 1 Chronicles 21:16–26).
In the place that David had prepared - This seems to be the true meaning of the passage, though the word order in the original text has been accidentally disordered.
"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." — 2 Chronicles 3:3 (ASV)
The marginal note “founded” gives a clue to another meaning of this passage, which can be translated: “Now this is the ground-plan of Solomon for the building, etc.”
Cubits after the first measure - that is, cubits according to the ancient standard. It is probable that the Jews adopted the Babylonian measures during the captivity and carried them back to their own country. The writer notes that the cubit of which he speaks here is the old (Mosaic) cubit.
"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." — 2 Chronicles 3:4 (ASV)
The height was one hundred and twenty cubits - This height, which so much exceeds that of the main building (1 Kings 6:2), is probably to be corrected by the reading of the Arabic Version and the Alexandrian Septuagint, “twenty cubits.” But see 2 Chronicles 3:9.
"And the greater house he ceiled with fir-wood, which he overlaid with fine gold, and wrought thereon palm-trees and chains." — 2 Chronicles 3:5 (ASV)
The greater house - That is, the holy place, or main chamber of the temple, located between the porch and the Most Holy Place (as in 2 Chronicles 3:7).
He paneled it with fir wood - This means he covered or lined it. This does not refer to the ceiling, which was entirely made of wood, but to the walls and floor, which were stone with a covering of planks. In this context, the word translated “fir” probably does not have the narrow meaning found in 2 Chronicles 2:8, where it is contrasted with cedar, but rather a broader meaning that includes cedar.
Palm trees and chains - See 1 Kings 6:29. The “chains” are thought to be garlands or festoons.
"And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim." — 2 Chronicles 3:6 (ASV)
Precious stones for beauty - This refers to gems, not marbles (compare to 1 Chronicles 29:2). The phrase translated “for beauty” means “for its beautification” or “to beautify it.”
Parvaim is probably the name of a place, but its location is quite uncertain.
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