מלכים א, פרק ז׳, פסוק ז׳

King Solomon established his royal court at the very entrance of the palace complex. By placing the center of justice at the forefront of his royal grounds, he ensured that citizens seeking a fair trial had direct access to the court. This thoughtful layout allowed the people to approach the justice system without having to walk through the private and restricted areas of the royal residence [אברבנאל].

There are different ways to understand the architectural layout of this courthouse. One perspective suggests it was a single, grand hall, named simply for the royal throne placed within it where the king sat to judge the nation [רלב״ג, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ ואברבנאל]. However, another approach envisions a more complex structure made up of two distinct spaces. In this view, there was an inner chamber where the king personally presided over significant cases. Attached to it was an outer hall or gateway. This exterior space functioned as a waiting area for litigants and also served as the seating place for the members of the high court, who managed the proceedings before people were called in to see the king [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, רד ק ואברבנאל].

Regardless of the exact layout, the interior of the justice hall was designed with striking elegance. The entire floor was beautifully paneled with luxurious cedar planks. This wood covering stretched completely across the room, spanning from the base of one wall all the way to the foundation of the opposite wall, ensuring the entire surface from end to end was paved in fine cedar.