2 Chronicles 3 — He Will Establish: Building on Mercy
The Place: Moriah, mercy, and memory Solomon begins the work “on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to David, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite” (New International Version). This is not an accidental address. Scripture layers this hill with memory. Moriah recalls Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22), where the Lord provided a substitute. The threshing floor recalls David’s altar, where judgment was halted by sacrifice (1 Chronicles 21–22). A place of testing and a place of halted plague become the place of God’s dwelling.
Western readers can miss the weight of this. In the ancient world, temples sit on “high places” that act as meeting points between heaven and earth. Israel’s high place is different: not chosen by human kings or feng shui, but by revelation and mercy. The Temple rises over a site where God’s wrath was stayed and a life was spared. Every stone preaches: God’s house is built where God provides.
Cross-references: Genesis 22; 2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21–22; Psalm 132:13–14.
The Pattern: order, beauty, and the “ancient measure” Chronicles gives dimensions and materials: sixty by twenty cubits for the main hall; palms, pomegranates, chainwork; gold from Parvaim; precious stones; a great veil of blue, purple, and crimson. One detail is easy to skip: “by cubits of the old measure” (2 Chronicles 3:3). The Chronicler may be signaling the use of an older, authoritative standard—perhaps the tabernacle’s measure (Exodus 26). The point is theological: Israel does not invent worship; she receives it. The house is shaped by God’s prior word.
Two notes for careful readers: - The porch is said to be 120 cubits high in Chronicles (3:4), while 1 Kings 6 emphasizes a 30-cubit building. Many scholars see a copyist’s expansion in the Chronicles number; the Chronicler also loves to highlight glory. Either way, the text’s aim is doxological as much as architectural. - Parvaim gold (3:6) is a rare term. It likely points east or south (Arabia/India). The nations bring their best to serve the Name—a theme we noticed yesterday: wisdom enlists craftsmanship and the world’s resources for God’s praise.
This chapter affirms what we have been tracing: worship → wisdom → wealth, ordered under God. Beauty is not a luxury; it is a confession that God is worthy. And beauty, in Scripture, is patterned beauty.
Cross-references: Exodus 25–31; 1 Kings 6; Psalm 96:9.
The Presence: veil, cherubim, and Eden remembered In the Most Holy Place stand two colossal cherubim, their wings spanning the inner room, above the ark’s location (3:10–13). The veil is woven with cherubim in blue, purple, and crimson (3:14). This is not random decoration. In Eden, cherubim guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). In the tabernacle and temple, woven guardians signal both nearness and boundary: our God draws near, yet remains holy.
Archaeologically, palm trees and pomegranates echo garden motifs found across the ancient Near East. The Bible redeems these images by tying them to creation rather than to idols. The temple is a microcosm of the world-as-God-intended: a garden on a mountain covered in gold, where God walks with his people. The veil writes holiness across the entrance until the day it is torn from top to bottom at Christ’s death (Mark 15:38). The New Testament says Jesus opened the way through “the curtain, that is, his body” (Hebrews 10:20, New International Version).
Cross-references: Exodus 26; Genesis 2–3; Hebrews 9–10; Revelation 21–22.
The Pillars: Jachin and Boaz—established and strengthened At the temple’s front stand two bronze pillars with capitals crowned by pomegranates. The text gives their names: Jachin and Boaz (3:17). Jachin is related to “he will establish.” Boaz likely means “in him is strength.” The house of God stands not on stone alone, but on promise: God will establish his people; God himself is their strength.
The Fathers often read the pillars typologically—apostles who establish and strengthen the Church, or the twin graces of faith and love. The Reformers read them as visible sermons of God’s covenant faithfulness. However we nuance it, they are a doorway into assurance. First Peter ends with a blessing that sounds like a pillar inscription: the God of all grace will “restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10, New International Version).
Cross-references: 1 Kings 7:15–22; Psalm 46; 1 Peter 5:10.
Words to notice - Moriah (seen/provided by the Lord): The geography of grace. - Ornan/Araunah: Two spellings of the Jebusite owner; Chronicler keeps living memory alive. - Perokhet (veil): A woven sermon—access is real, but mediated. - Qodesh qodashim (Most Holy): God’s presence is not casual. - Jachin/Boaz: A doorway of assurance.
From blueprint to soul-work What does a gold-laden floor say to us on a Wednesday? At least three things: 1) Build on mercy. The temple sits where sacrifice turned judgment aside. In Christ, our lives rest on a greater Moriah. Let every plan begin at the cross. 2) Follow the pattern. As we said yesterday, offer your skills as liturgy. Let Scripture shape the “measure” of your work, relationships, and worship. He is Lord of the details. 3) Live as a temple people. The Church is now God’s dwelling by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:21–22). Christ is the true Temple (John 2:19–21), and we are living stones (1 Peter 2:5). Pursue beauty and holiness—accessible, hospitable, ordered by love.
A note for modern eyes: archaeology on the Temple Mount is limited for political and religious reasons, so many details remain debated. But Scripture gives what we need most: the meaning of the place. A threshing floor—where chaff is separated from wheat—becomes a sanctuary. In Christ, the place of sifting becomes the place of settling. He will establish you. In him is strength.
A hymn for meditation Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (Latin: Urbs beata Jerusalem). Sing it slowly: a house built on Christ, filled with praise, strong in grace.
Suggested readings - 2 Chronicles 3; 1 Kings 6–7 - Genesis 22; 1 Chronicles 21–22 - Exodus 26 - John 2:19–21; Ephesians 2:19–22; Hebrews 9–10; 1 Peter 2:4–6; 5:10
Prayer Lord of Moriah, who provides before we ask, establish us today on the mercy of your Son. Teach our hands the ancient measure of your Word, that our work may be beautiful and true. Draw us near through the torn veil of Christ’s body, yet keep us humble before your holiness. Strengthen your Church—Jachin and Boaz at our doorway—so that in all we build, your Name, not ours, is praised. Through Jesus Christ, the true Temple and our sure Foundation. Amen.
Narrated version of this devotional on 2 Chronicles Chapter 3