King Solomon’s Temple was preceded by a portable, prototype temple, or tabernacle.
The tabernacle was built about 1440 B.C. according to detailed plans divinely revealed to
Moses at Mt. Sinai (Exodus chapters 25-27, 30, 35-40). These plans are an integral part
of a division of the Mosaic law known as the Ceremonial Law. The Old Testament Hebrew word for atonement is kaphar; and means, "to atone by offering a substitute." There are some 150 usages of kaphar in the Old Testament and address "making atonement.". Indeed, atonement was central to almost everything connected with the Temple, as spelled
out in the three components of the ancient Mosaic ceremonial law. According to ancient legend, there was to be but one Temple to reflect the fact that there is only one God. The tabernacle's portable nature was suited to the nomadic period of Israel's 40 years of wilderness wandering, and the early, unsettled years in the promised land. Later, when the nation was fully settled, it was replaced with the permanent Temple.

"God" revealed the design for the Temple to Solomon's father, King David (1 Chronicles
28:11-19); it included the same furnishings as the tabernacle and followed the same floor
plan, except that the size of the sanctuary was doubled.

Foundation

The base Foundation for the Temple was 20 cubits wide and 60 cubits long. This does
not take into account the width of the outer walls (6 cubits), Siderooms (10 cubits including outer walls), Portico, or the extended foundation outside the Siderooms (6 cubits). All together the Foundation would have spanned 54 cubits wide and over 100 cubits long. The Foundation was raised, but no reference to the height of the Foundation is given. The Bible does state that there were ten steps in the front of the Temple leading up to the entrance to the Portico.

References to the Foundation can be found in Ezekiel 41:8 and 2 Chronicles 3:3.

(Note:A cubit is an ancient linear unit based on the length of the forearm, varying in extent, but usually from 17 to 21 inches. However, a sacred cubit is 36 inches.)

Pillars

Outside the Portico on either side of the entrance, two Pillars were erected. Each stood
18 cubits high and 12 cubits around. The Pillars were made of cast bronze. On top of the Pillars stood two capitals, each 5 cubits tall and in the shape of lilies. These capitals consisted of an intricate array of interwoven chains each with 100 pomegranates attached.
"Solomon" named the Pillar on the south side (left) Jachin, which means "He establishes". The Pillar on the north side (right) was named Boaz, which means "in Him is strength". Put together it means "God provides the strength".

Reference to the Pillars can be found in 1 Kings 7:15-22 and 2 Chronicles 3:15-17.

Portico
The Portico was the outermost room of the Temple. It extended 10 cubits from the Main
Hall and spanned 20 cubits in width. The walls of the Portico measured 6 cubits thick on
the sides and 5 cubits thick in the front. The entrance to the Portico spanned 14 cubits.
Inside the Portico the walls were covered with cedar panels and overlaid with fine gold, as was custom throughout the Temple. There were cherubim, palm trees and open flowers decorating the walls and doors. The doors were made of pine and overlaid
with gold as was the floor.
Reference to the Portico can be found in 1 Kings 6:3, 2 Chronicles 3:4 and Ezekial 40:49.

Main Hall

The Main Hall, also called the "Holy Place," was located between the Portico and the
Holy of Holies. It measured 20 cubits wide and 40 cubits long. The entire hall was covered with cedar planks and overlaid with gold. On the panels were carved cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. The floor was covered with pine planks and overlaid with gold. No stone was visible. On the left and right side walls were narrow windows.
Inside the Main Hall were the 10 tables for the bread of Presence, 10 lampstands, and an Altar of Incense. On each side off the Main Hall were five lampstands and five tables. The Altar of Incense stood before the doors of the Holy of Holies. The incense represented the prayers of God's people.

References to the Main Hall can be found in 1 Kings 6, 2 Chronicles 3, Ezekiel 40.

Chambers

The Chambers or Siderooms were a series of rooms located on the outside of the
Temple which were used by the priests. They started at the front of the Main Hall and
went around the back of the Temple. A three-tier system was employed in building the Siderooms. The first level was 5 cubits wide, the second level was 6 cubits wide, and the third level was 7 cubits wide. They were attached to the Main Hall by a series of beams which gave them support. The entrance to the lowest floor was on the south (left) side of
the Temple; a stairway led up to the second and third floors.

Reference to the Siderooms can be found in 1 Kings 6:8-10, Ezekiel 41:6-7, 1 Kings 6:5-6.

Holy of Holies

This small room was the most revered place in all of Israel. It was the room where the
Lord dwelled. It is also referred to as the Inner Sanctuary. Located in the rear of the
Temple, the Holy of Holies measured 20 cubits cubed. It walls were completely covered
with cedar, no stone was left uncovered. The cedar panels were covered with 600 talents
of fine gold. To grasp the awe, imagine that 600 talents is roughly equivalent to 23 tons or 46,000 pounds. Estimating today's current value of gold at $400 per ounce, the value of
the gold in the Holy of Holies alone would be worth roughly $18,406,400! Even the nails were made of fine gold weighing 1 1/4 pounds each. Inside the Holy of Holies were two cherubim carved out of olive wood and overlaid with gold. Both cherubim stood on their feet facing the Main Hall. Their wings spanned 20 cubits or 30 feet. Each wing spanned 5 cubits or 7 1/2 feet. Their wings touched over the Ark Of The Covenant.
In front of the Ark Of The Convenant was placed a curtain of blue, purple and crimson
yarn and fine linen with cherubim worked into it. King Solomon made doors of olive wood for the entrance to the Holy of Holies. On the doors, he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold.

Reference to the Holy of Holies can be found in 1 Kings 6:19-32 and 2 Chronicles 3:8-14.

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