Solomon's Temple Tour Information

There is a great website called the 3D Bible Project where you can tour Moses' Tabernacle, Noah's Ark, & Solomon's Temple.

Here is the outline that I shared with the kids as I gave them a tour of the temple using the projector.

The Outer Court (2 Chronicles 4:9; 2 Kings 23:12)
The outer court was for the people of Israel while only the priests could enter the inner court. Both courts were surrounded by three rows of stones and entered through gates. Cedar beams were placed on top of the three rows of stone for protection and beautification.

The East Gate of the Outer Court (1 Chronicles 26:12-18)
The East Gate was the main entrance to the Outer Court; it had six guard posts, as opposed to four at the North Gate and the South Gate (1 Chronicles 26:17).
The North Gate of The Outer Court (1 Chronicles 26:12-18)
This gate, as well as the South Gate, had four guard posts;

The West Gates of The Outer Court (1 Chronicles 26:12-18)
The west side had two gates: the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road. There were two guards at the court itself and four at the road.

The South Gate of The Outer Court (1 Chronicles 26:12-18)
The palace of Solomon was south of the temple mount. The South Gate would be the main one used by the king. Therefore it was a great honor to be assigned the responsibility of guarding this gate.

The Inner Court (2 Chronicles 4:9; 1 Kings 6:36; 7:12)
The inner court was strictly for the priests and levites and for their ministries. In Jeremiah 36:10 the inner court is also called "the higher court". This would indicate that it was on a higher level than the outer court. The inner court was surrounded by three rows of stones with cedar beams placed on top. There were surrounding rooms within these walls to provide more living space.

The Bronze Altar (2 Chronicles 4:1)
In the inner court was the great altar of bronze. Fire was kept burning upon the altar continually, it must not go out. Its measurements were 20 cubits (30 feet) square, and 10 cubits (15 feet) high, made after the pattern in the Tabernacle. It had horns at its four corner, signifying strength and salvation. It was on this altar that the five offerings were made.
Bronze reminds us of God's judgement. The Bronze Altar therefore speaks of Jesus bearing the judgement of God for our sins.

The Molten Sea (2 Chronicles 4:2-6, 15; 1 Kings 7:23-26, 44; 1 Chronicles 18:8)
The molten sea was a large basin made of bronze. It was 5 cubits (7.5 feet) high and 10 cubits (15 feet) in diameter at the brim. The sea holds 3,000 baths (about 17,500 gallons) of water. The brim was made like the brim of a cup. Under the brim, it was decorated with two rows of 300 gourds. This great sea rested on the backs of twelve bronze oxen which, in groups of three, faced the north, south, east and west. The very purpose of this great sea was for the priests to wash themselves before entering into the Temple.

The Basins (2 Chronicles 4:6, 14-18; 1 Kings 7:27-39)
The bronze basins were supported by movable stands made in bronze. The stands were 4 cubits (6 feet) square and 3 cubits (4.5 feet) high. The basins were 4 cubits (6 feet) in diameter at the brim, and hold 40 baths (230 gallons). The stands looked like four-wheeled carriages so that the basins could be transported around the Temple. They stood on four supports attached to the axles so that the ornamented side panels were raised above the wheels. On the top of the stand there was a circular opening where the basin was set into. The basin was supported underneath by cast supports. (Touch the brim of the basin to raise it.) Things belonged to the burnt offering were washed at the basins.

Bronze Pillar – Boaz/Jachin (1 Kings 7:15-22)
Placed in front of the entrance of the Temple were two great pillars made of bronze. The one on the South side was named "Jachin", and the one on the North was named "Boaz". Boaz probably means "he establishes" and Jachin probably means "in Him is strength". Each pillar was 18 cubits (27 feet) high and 12 cubits (18 feet) around. The top of each pillar was decorated with a lily-shaped capital. Each capital was 5 cubits (7.5 feet) high.

The Porch (1 Kings 6:3; 2 Chronicles 3:4)
The porch was 20 cubits (30 feet) wide and 10 cubits (15 feet) deep, and probably 20 cubits (30 feet) high. The inside was overlaid with pure gold. There has been some disagreement over the excessive height of the porch as recorded in 2 Chronicles 3:4. The record says the height was 120 cubits (180 feet). If this was correct then the porch would have been a tall tower, 4 times as high as the Temple. Some have taken this literally (e.g. see Phoenixmasonry). However, some ancient version (see NIV) omitted the "hundred" and read "the height was 20 cubits", which is more in keeping with the temple itself.

The Holy Place Door (1 Kings 6:33-35)
The entrance was made of fir, with side posts of olive wood, and overlaid with gold. There were two two-leaved or two folding doors, therefore a total of four doors. The doors were carved with open flowers, palm trees and cherubim. The meaning of the word "one-fourth" in 1 Kings 6:33 is not clear. Some Bible translations (such as NKJV) have the door posts measured as one-fourth of the wall, that is, a fourth of 20 cubits (30 feet) or 5 cubits (7.5 feet) wide. Some other Bible translations (such as NASB and NIV) rendered the entrance having four-sided door posts.

The Holy Place (1 Kings 6:15, 17-18, 21-22, 29-30; 2 Chronicles 3:3-7)
The interior measurements of the Holy Place were 40 cubits (60 feet) long, 20 cubits (30 feet) wide and 30 cubits (45 feet) high. Everything inside the Temple was either made of pure gold or overlaid with gold. Even the walls, the ceiling and floor were overlaid with fine gold. The walls were richly ornamented with precious stones, palm trees and chains and carved with gourds, open flowers and cherubim (1 Kings 6:18, 29; 2 Chronicles 3:5-7).

The Tables of Showbread (1 Kings 7:48; 2 Chronicles 4:8, 19)
Though not specifically mentioned in the Bible, we may safely assume that these tables, as the golden lampstands and the golden altar of incense, were made after the pattern given to Moses in Mt Sinai (Exodus 25:23-30). The tables were of wood, 2 cubits (3 feet) long, 1 cubit (1.5 feet) wide and 1.5 cubits (2.25 feet) high. It was overlaid with gold. On each of the table were 12 loaves of bread (see Leviticus 24:5-9), for a total of 120 loaves in all, symbolizing the bread of life given by God.

The Golden Lampstands (1 Kings 7:49-50; 2 Chronicles 4:7, 19-22)
These lampstands must have been after the same pattern as that given to Moses (Exodus 25:31-40). The entire lampstand was made from one piece of hammered work of pure gold. The lamps were oil lights, not candles, and they were to burn continually, never to be extinguished (Leviticus 24:1-4). They illumined the Holy Place so that the priests could walk and minister in the light. Every morning and evening the priests would tend to the lamps - trim the lamps, take away the ashes and supply the oil to keep the lamps burning. The lamps symbolized God's guidance and revelation through His word (Psalm 119:105). The lampstands also speak of Jesus Christ Himself, the light of the world (John 8:12).

The Altar of Incense (1 Kings 6:20, 22; 7:48; 2 Chronicles 4:19)
The altar was made of wood and overlaid with gold. It was 1 cubit (1.5 feet) square, and 2 cubits (3 feet) high. It also had four horns on its four corners, signifying power, authority and kingship. A gold molding was around the top of the altar. In contrast to the one in the Tabernacle, this one probably did not have the two gold rings and carrying poles since there was no more need to carry it around. The priest had to burn incense at this altar in the morning and at twilight. The rising smoke from the burning incense symbolized the prayers offered to God(Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8). More...

The Most Holy Place Door (1 Kings 6:31-32; 2 Chronicles 3:14)
We have another two sets of folding doors for the entrance into the Most Holy Place. The materials and ornamentation were the same as that of the Holy Place entrance - doors of fir with side posts of olive wood, and overlaid with gold, carved with open flowers, palm trees, and cherubim. The meaning of the word "one-fifth" in 1 Kings 6:31 is not clear. Some Bible translations (such as NKJV) have the door posts being one-fifth of the wall, that is, a fifth of 20 cubits (30 feet) or 4 cubits (6 feet) wide. Some other translations (such as NASB and NIV) rendered the entrance having five-sided door posts.
The Veil (2 Chronicles 3:14)
The veil was made the same way as the veil of the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:31-35), which was of blue, purple, scarlet and fine linen, and with cherubim design. Whether it was placed in front of the doors or behind the doors is hard to say.
Here, before the veil, the ordinary priests had to stop and proceed no further. Because within the veil, in the Most Holy Place, lay the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark represents God's presence and no one, no one except the High Priest, would be allowed to see the Ark. And he only saw it once a year on the Day of Atonement. The veil separated God and man. But when Christ died on the cross, the veil (of Herod's Temple) was torn apart from top to bottom by God, declaring that man can now access into His presence freely through Christ Jesus (Hebrews 10:19-25).

The Most Holy Place (1 Kings 6:16, 19-30; 2 Chronicles 3:8-13)
The Most Holy Place was a perfect cube of 20 x 20 x 20 cubits (30 x 30 x 30 feet). This was the very place where the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat were placed. Once a year the High Priest entered on the Day of Atonement and met God amidst the smoke of burning incense (Leviticus 16).
Inside the Most Holy Place, there was no window and no lampstand. There was no other light source except the light coming from the glory of God shone from the Mercy Seat. Two great cherubim stood facing the Holy Place, overshadowing the Ark of the Covenant.

The Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9)
Inside the Most Holy Place was the magnificent Ark of the Covenant. Its measurements were 2.5 cubits (3.75 feet) long, 1.5 cubits (2.25 feet) wide and high. It consisted of a rectangular chest made of shittim wood and overlaid with gold. The Mercy Seat was a lid which closed the Ark from above (click the Mercy Seat to raise it up.) The Ark was placed under the wings of the two great cherubim. When the Ark was finally placed here the only contents were the two tablets of the law of God (2 Chronicles 5:10). The golden pot of manna and the budding rod of Aaron were removed. More...

The Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9)
The covering or lid of the Ark was the Mercy Seat with two cherubim on each end, all beaten out of one piece of pure gold. The cherubim were facing each other and their wings overshadowed the Mercy Seat.
The Mercy Seat was where the blood of the slain bullock was sprinkled as atonement for the sin of the nation, once a year on the Day of Atonement
The Cherubim
No one knows exactly how cherubim are supposed to look like. Historically cherubim were portrayed as naked little children with halos and wings, frequently found on Valentine's Day cards. However modern interpretation has rendered the cherubim as winged sphinx-like creatures.
The Bible made a special note about the two great cherubim in the Most Holy Place concerning their posture (2 Chronicles 3:13); they stood on their feet facing the Holy Place, as if they were guarding the place. In contrast, the two cherubim of the Mercy Seat were facing each other towards the Mercy Seat - not guarding, but serving God. Instead of standing up, they would be set in a more humble posture, probably lying down.

The High Priest (Exodus 28)
The High Priest was a religious person of a high rank who has the authority to perform the services in the Temple. He was in charge of the priests and was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement.
The High Priest had two sets of uniforms:
1. Golden Garments which he wore all year round;
2. White Garments which was worn only on the Day of Atonement.

The Side Chambers (1 Kings 6:5-8)
Surrounding the walls of the Temple were side chambers for the priests, Levites, and for storage. The chambers were three stories high. These three stories were made accessible first by the door located at the south side of the Temple, and then inside by winding stairs. These stairs began in the lowest story, winding up through and into the middle story, and then from the middle story into the third story. 1 Kings 6:8 implies that the winding stairs were located next to the door at the lowest story. The most logical place for the stairs would be at the east end of the chambers. Based on this information we re-constructed the door near the east end of the south wall.