2 Chronicles 3:1

KJV

¶ Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where [the LORD] appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Solomon {H8010} began {H2490} to build {H1129} the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068} at Jerusalem {H3389} in mount {H2022} Moriah {H4179}, where the LORD appeared {H7200} unto David {H1732} his father {H1}, in the place {H4725} that David {H1732} had prepared {H3559} in the threshingfloor {H1637} of Ornan {H771} the Jebusite {H2983}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Shlomo began to build the house of ADONAI in Yerushalayim on Mount Moriyah, where ADONAI had appeared to David his father. Provision had been made for this at the place David had chosen, the threshing-floor of Ornan the Y'vusi.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

American Standard Version

Then Solomon began to build the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem on mount Moriah, whereJehovahappeared unto David his father, which he made ready in the place that David had appointed, in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 3:1 marks the momentous commencement of the First Temple's construction in Jerusalem under King Solomon's leadership. This verse precisely identifies the sacred location as Mount Moriah, a site deeply significant in Israel's history due to prior divine appearances to David, and specifically pinpoints the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, which David had purchased and consecrated. It signifies the culmination of David's fervent preparations and God's faithfulness in bringing His promises to fruition through Solomon, establishing a permanent dwelling place for the LORD's presence among His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the pivotal opening of the Temple construction narrative in 2 Chronicles, immediately following David's extensive preparations and Solomon's establishment of his reign (1 Chronicles 22, 28-29; 2 Chronicles 1-2). The Chronicler emphasizes the continuity of God's plan and David's legacy, portraying Solomon as the faithful executor of his father's vision and God's command. Unlike the book of Kings, which focuses more on the political and royal aspects, Chronicles highlights the Temple's theological significance, its construction as an act of worship, and its role as the central place for the nation's spiritual life. The detailed account of the Temple's dimensions, materials, and furnishings that follows in 2 Chronicles 3-5 underscores its importance as the physical manifestation of God's covenant presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of a grand temple was a common practice among ancient Near Eastern cultures, serving as the dwelling place for a deity and a symbol of national power and divine favor. For Israel, the "house of the LORD" ( _Bet YHWH_ ) was unique; it was not merely a shrine but the designated locus of God's manifest presence among His chosen people, a fulfillment of His desire to dwell with them since the Exodus (cf. [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Dwelling Among His People")). Solomon's reign, characterized by unprecedented peace and prosperity, provided the ideal conditions for such a monumental undertaking. Jerusalem, recently established as the capital by David, was the natural choice for this central sanctuary, solidifying its status as both the political and spiritual heart of the nation. The specific site, Mount Moriah, carried profound historical weight, linking the Temple's foundation to foundational acts of faith and divine intervention, notably Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac (as detailed in [Genesis 22:2](/genesis/22-2 "Genesis 22:2 - Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah")) and David's encounter with the angel of the LORD at Ornan's threshingfloor (see [1 Chronicles 21:15-30](/1_chronicles/21-15 "1 Chronicles 21:15-30 - David's Altar at Ornan's Threshingfloor")).
* **Key Themes:**
* **Fulfillment of Divine Promise:** The construction of the Temple by Solomon directly fulfills the Davidic Covenant, where God promised David that his son would build a "house" for His name (see [2 Samuel 7:12-13](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-13 - The Davidic Covenant")). This highlights God's faithfulness to His word across generations.
* **Sanctity and Divine Selection of Place:** Mount Moriah's repeated designation as a site of profound divine encounters—from Abraham's test to David's atonement—underscores the theme that God sovereignly chooses and consecrates specific locations for His purposes. The Temple's placement on such hallowed ground reinforces its sacred status as God's chosen dwelling.
* **Continuity and Generational Legacy:** Solomon's act of building is presented not as an independent initiative but as the direct continuation and successful completion of David's fervent desire, meticulous planning, and extensive resource collection (cf. [1 Chronicles 22:5](/1_chronicles/22-5 "1 Chronicles 22:5 - David's Preparations for the Temple")). This emphasizes the importance of intergenerational faithfulness and building upon the spiritual foundations laid by predecessors.
* **Divine Presence and Worship:** The "house of the LORD" was designed to be the central locus for Israel's worship, symbolizing God's tangible presence among His people. It was the place where sacrifices were offered, prayers were made, and the covenant relationship was renewed, serving as a constant reminder of God's immanence and His desire for communion with humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **House of the LORD (Hebrew, _bet YHWH_):** This phrase, used throughout the Old Testament, refers to the Temple, emphasizing its primary function as the designated dwelling place for Yahweh's manifest presence among His people. It signifies not that God is confined to a building, but that this specific structure is where His glory is uniquely revealed, where His people can approach Him in worship, and where His covenant promises are tangibly represented.
* **Mount Moriah (Hebrew, _Moriyyah_):** This specific geographical designation carries immense theological weight. While its etymology is debated, it is often linked to the Hebrew root "to see" or "to choose," suggesting "seen by Yahweh" or "chosen by Yahweh." Its identification as the site of Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac in [Genesis 22:2](/genesis/22-2 "Genesis 22:2 - Abraham's Test on Mount Moriah") imbues the Temple site with a profound history of divine testing, provision, and covenant faithfulness, foreshadowing ultimate sacrifice and redemption.
* **Threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite (Hebrew, _goren Ornan ha-Yevusi_):** This seemingly mundane agricultural site was divinely transformed into sacred ground. It was here that the angel of the LORD appeared to David, bringing a plague to an end, and where David was commanded to build an altar and offer sacrifices (see [1 Chronicles 21:18-28](/1_chronicles/21-18 "1 Chronicles 21:18-28 - David's Altar at Ornan's Threshingfloor")). David's purchase of this land from Ornan (also known as Araunah in 2 Samuel 24) at full price signifies its rightful acquisition and consecration, moving it from common use to a place of atonement and worship, chosen by God for His house.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem":** This clause marks the official commencement of the Temple project, a monumental undertaking that had been the fervent desire of his father, David. The phrase "began to build" highlights the initiation of the physical construction, following extensive preparations. The location, "at Jerusalem," underscores the city's established role as the political and spiritual capital, chosen by God as the place where His name would dwell.
* **"in mount Moriah":** This specifies the exact, highly significant location within Jerusalem. The mention of Mount Moriah immediately evokes its sacred history, particularly its association with Abraham's test of faith and God's miraculous provision of a ram in Isaac's place, establishing a deep theological continuity between the patriarchs and the Temple era.
* **"where [the LORD] appeared unto David his father":** This phrase directly links the Temple site to a specific divine encounter with King David. This appearance occurred during a plague, where the LORD instructed David to build an altar on Ornan's threshingfloor to stop the pestilence. This divine manifestation sanctified the site, making it a place of atonement and direct communication with God, thereby legitimizing it as the chosen location for the permanent sanctuary.
* **"in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite":** This final clause emphasizes David's direct involvement in preparing the site, not just by purchasing it, but by consecrating it through sacrifice and by receiving divine instruction there. The "threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite" signifies its humble, yet divinely chosen origin, transformed from a place of agricultural labor into the most sacred ground in Israel, a testament to God's sovereign choice and the importance of human obedience in His plans.

#### Literary Devices
2 Chronicles 3:1 is rich with **Symbolism**, as the "house of the LORD" itself symbolizes God's covenant presence among His people, a physical manifestation of His promise to dwell with them. The transformation of Ornan's threshingfloor from a mundane agricultural site to sacred ground serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for divine election and the sanctifying power of atonement. The verse also employs **Allusion** by referencing Mount Moriah, immediately recalling the foundational narrative of Abraham and Isaac in [Genesis 22](/genesis/22 "Genesis 22 - The Binding of Isaac"), thereby imbuing the Temple site with deep historical and theological significance that transcends its immediate context. Furthermore, there is a strong sense of **Continuity** and **Legacy**, as Solomon's action directly fulfills David's fervent desire and extensive preparations, highlighting the intergenerational faithfulness required in God's grand redemptive plan. The precise geographical and historical details provide **Verisimilitude**, grounding the spiritual significance in concrete, verifiable events.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The commencement of the Temple's construction on Mount Moriah is a profound theological statement about God's desire for intimate communion with humanity and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. The Temple, as the "house of the LORD," served as the physical epicenter of Israel's relationship with God, a place where His presence was uniquely manifested, and where atonement for sin was made possible through sacrifice. Its location on Mount Moriah, a site already hallowed by Abraham's obedient faith and God's miraculous provision, and later by David's act of atonement that halted a plague, underscores the themes of divine election, sacrifice, and redemption that permeate biblical theology. This sacred space was a tangible reminder of God's immanence, His holiness, and His commitment to dwelling among His people, setting the stage for the progressive revelation of His redemptive plan.

* [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Command to Build the Tabernacle")
* [2 Samuel 7:12-13](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-13 - God's Promise to David")
* [Genesis 22:2](/genesis/22-2 "Genesis 22:2 - Abraham's Journey to Moriah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Chronicles 3:1 offers powerful insights for contemporary believers. Just as Solomon faithfully executed the divine blueprint for the Temple, we are called to be obedient to God's revealed will in our lives, building upon the spiritual foundations laid by those who came before us. This verse reminds us that God often chooses specific, sometimes unexpected, "places" or circumstances in our lives for profound spiritual encounters and transformative work, much like the threshingfloor of Ornan was consecrated. Our lives, as "temples of the Holy Spirit" (as described in [1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies, Temples of the Holy Spirit")), are meant to be places where God's presence dwells and where worship is continually offered. The legacy of David and Solomon teaches us the importance of both preparation and execution in God's work, emphasizing that our individual acts of faithfulness contribute to His larger, eternal purposes, culminating in the building of His spiritual kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "foundations" have been laid in your spiritual life by previous generations or mentors that you are called to build upon today?**
* **How does recognizing your body as a "temple of the Holy Spirit" influence your daily choices and your approach to worship?**
* **Can you identify any "threshingfloors"—ordinary or difficult places—in your life where God has revealed His presence or brought about significant transformation?**
* **In what ways can your obedience to God's calling contribute to the larger, ongoing work of His kingdom, even if the full scope is not immediately apparent?**

### FAQ
**Why was Mount Moriah so significant for the Temple location?**

Answer: Mount Moriah was chosen for its profound historical and theological significance, making it a divinely consecrated site long before Solomon's Temple. It is identified as the place where Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his son Isaac in [Genesis 22:2](/genesis/22-2 "Genesis 22:2 - Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah"). This event, known as the _Akedah_ (the binding of Isaac), demonstrated Abraham's ultimate faith and God's miraculous provision, establishing Moriah as a place of divine testing, faithfulness, and substitutionary sacrifice. Later, it was the site of Ornan's threshingfloor, where the LORD appeared to David, stopping a devastating plague and instructing him to build an altar (see [1 Chronicles 21:15-30](/1_chronicles/21-15 "1 Chronicles 21:15-30 - David's Altar on Ornan's Threshingfloor")). Thus, Moriah was not just a convenient location but a place hallowed by multiple, foundational divine encounters, making it the ideal and divinely sanctioned site for God's permanent dwelling among His people.

**What was the significance of Ornan's threshingfloor?**

Answer: Ornan's threshingfloor (also called Araunah's threshingfloor in 2 Samuel 24) was the specific spot on Mount Moriah where the angel of the LORD appeared to David, bringing a plague upon Israel to a halt. David was instructed by the prophet Gad to build an altar there and offer sacrifices to appease God's wrath (see [1 Chronicles 21:18](/1_chronicles/21-18 "1 Chronicles 21:18 - Gad's Instruction to David")). David purchased the threshingfloor and the oxen from Ornan at full price, refusing to offer to the LORD what cost him nothing (as recorded in [1 Chronicles 21:24](/1_chronicles/21-24 "1 Chronicles 21:24 - David's Purchase of Ornan's Threshingfloor")). This act of purchase and sacrifice transformed a common agricultural site into a place of atonement and divine encounter, making it sacred ground chosen by God for the Temple's foundation. It symbolizes the transition from a place of judgment to a place of mercy and worship.

**How does Chronicles' account of the Temple building differ in emphasis from Kings?**

Answer: While both 1 Kings 6-8 and 2 Chronicles 3-5 recount the building and dedication of Solomon's Temple, the Chronicler's account places a distinct theological emphasis. The book of Kings presents the Temple's construction within the broader narrative of the monarchy, often highlighting political events, royal succession, and the kings' obedience or disobedience. In contrast, Chronicles, written for a post-exilic audience, focuses heavily on the Temple's spiritual significance, its continuity with David's vision, and its role as the central place of worship for a restored Israel. The Chronicler emphasizes David's extensive preparations (e.g., [1 Chronicles 22](/1_chronicles/22 "1 Chronicles 22 - David's Preparations for the Temple")), the divine sanction of the site, and the meticulous adherence to divine instructions for its construction and operation. It underscores the Temple as a symbol of God's enduring presence and covenant faithfulness, serving to encourage the community to prioritize proper worship and adherence to God's law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The physical Temple built by Solomon on Mount Moriah, as described in 2 Chronicles 3:1, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus. The Temple was the dwelling place of God's presence, the locus of atonement, and the center of Israel's worship. In the New Testament, Jesus declares Himself to be the greater Temple, stating, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to His body (see [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus and the Temple")). He is the incarnate Word, God dwelling among us, full of grace and truth (as noted in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Furthermore, the very site of the Temple's construction, Mount Moriah, carries deep typological significance. Traditionally, Mount Moriah is identified with the hill of Calvary, where Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for the sins of the world (see [Matthew 27:33](/matthew/27-33 "Matthew 27:33 - The Place of a Skull")). The Temple's sacrificial system, designed to provide temporary atonement, pointed forward to Christ's once-for-all sacrifice, which perfectly cleanses and grants direct access to God's presence (as explained in [Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice") and [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ")). Thus, Jesus is not only the fulfillment of the Temple as God's dwelling but also of the sacrificial purpose foreshadowed on Moriah, making Him the ultimate and eternal means of communion with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 22:14

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said [to] this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

1 Chronicles 21:18

¶ Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Genesis 22:2

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only [son] Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

2 Samuel 24:18

¶ And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

2 Samuel 24:25

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

1 Kings 6:1

¶ And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which [is] the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 6:14

So Solomon built the house, and finished it.