1Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD. He built it on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. That’s where the LORD had appeared to Solomon’s father David. The LORD had appeared at the threshing-floor of Araunah. Araunah was from Jebus. David had provided the threshing-floor.2Solomon began building the temple on the second day of the second month. It was in the fourth year of his rule.3Solomon laid the foundation for God’s temple. It was 30 metres long and 10 metres wide. Solomon’s men followed the standard measure used at that time.4The porch in front of the temple was 10 metres across and 10 metres high. Solomon covered the inside of the temple with pure gold.5He covered the inside of the main hall with juniper boards. Then he covered the boards with fine gold. He decorated the hall with palm tree patterns and chain patterns.6He decorated the temple with valuable jewels. The gold he used came from Parvaim.7He covered the ceiling beams, doorframes, walls and doors of the temple with gold. He carved cherubim on the walls.8He built the Most Holy Room. It was as long as the temple was wide. It was 10 metres long and 10 metres wide. He covered the inside of the Most Holy Room with 21 tonnes of fine gold.9He also covered the upper parts with gold. The gold on the nails weighed 600 grams.10For the Most Holy Room, Solomon made a pair of carved cherubim. He covered them with gold.11The total length of the cherubim’s wings from tip to tip was 10 metres. One wing of the first cherub was 2.5 metres long. Its tip touched the temple wall. The other wing was also 2.5 metres long. Its tip touched the wing tip of the other cherub.12In the same way one wing of the second cherub was 2.5 metres long. Its tip touched the other temple wall. The other wing was also 2.5 metres long. Its tip touched the wing tip of the first cherub.13So the total length of the wings of the two cherubim was 10 metres from tip to tip. The cherubim stood facing the main hall.14Solomon made the curtain out of blue, purple and bright red yarn and fine linen. A skilled worker sewed cherubim into its pattern.15For the front of the temple, Solomon made two pillars. Each pillar was 17.5 metres tall. Each had a decorated top 2.5 metres high.16Solomon made chains that were linked together. He put them on top of the pillars. He also made 100 pomegranates. He fastened them to the chains.17Solomon set the pillars up in front of the temple. One was on the south. The other was on the north. He named the one on the south Jakin. The one on the north he named Boaz.