דברי הימים ב, פרק ג׳, פסוק ז׳

The construction of the Temple was defined by a strict commitment to its splendor and majesty. The interior space was entirely overlaid with pure gold and adorned with intricate carvings, ensuring that the physical structure reflected the highest level of honor. The primary approach among commentators is that the interior was completely covered and plated [רש״י, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This detailed account of the gold overlay serves to complete and clarify the parallel historical record found in the Book of Kings, specifying exactly which architectural elements were covered [מלבי״ם].

When identifying the specific overlaid parts, commentators offer different perspectives. Some identify the covered beams as the main ceiling beams [מצודת דוד], while others suggest they were the cedar planks that lined the walls [רלב״ג]. The ceiling itself is described by some as arched and rounded, resembling an upside-down ship [רש״י]. The door frames, including both the vertical posts where the doors were hinged and the upper and lower thresholds, were also coated in gold [רלב״ג, מצודת דוד]. The attention to detail was so profound that even the exposed thickness of the stone walls within the doorways was completely plated, ensuring that not a single bare stone remained visible anywhere in the structure [רלב״ג, רש״י].

Beyond the gold plating, King Solomon engraved the interior with decorative carvings [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These engravings took the form of cherubs, beings whose name is rooted in an Aramaic word for a youth, as they were depicted with the faces of infants [מצודת ציון]. These specific carvings were placed exclusively on the walls of the building, leaving the floors unadorned [מלבי״ם]. While the historical account in the Book of Kings mentions additional artistic elements, such as palm trees and flowers, the record here is intentionally brief, focusing solely on the presence of the cherubs [רלב״ג].