1 Kings 10:18 kjv
Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.
1 Kings 10:18 nkjv
Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
1 Kings 10:18 niv
Then the king made a great throne covered with ivory and overlaid with fine gold.
1 Kings 10:18 esv
The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with the finest gold.
1 Kings 10:18 nlt
Then the king made a huge throne, decorated with ivory and overlaid with fine gold.
1 Kings 10 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 3:13 | "I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor..." | God's promise of riches and honor to Solomon |
| 1 Kgs 4:29-34 | "And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding... so that his fame was in all the surrounding nations." | God-given wisdom and wealth leading to fame |
| 1 Kgs 9:26-28 | "King Solomon also built a fleet of ships... bringing gold from Ophir." | Solomon's wealth sourced through maritime trade |
| 1 Kgs 10:21-27 | "The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as common as sycamore." | Further descriptions of Solomon's extreme wealth |
| 2 Chr 1:12 | "I will give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as no king who was before you has had..." | Echo of God's promise of unparalleled wealth |
| 2 Chr 9:17-19 | "The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold." | Parallel account of Solomon's throne in Chronicles |
| Deut 17:16-17 | "Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to acquire many horses... And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold." | Warnings against excessive kingly possessions |
| Prov 11:28 | "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf." | General warning against trust in wealth |
| Prov 16:12 | "It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness." | Throne linked to righteousness, not just wealth |
| Ps 45:6 | "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever..." | Contrast with divine, eternal throne |
| Ps 89:4 | "I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations." | God's eternal covenant with David's lineage |
| Jer 17:12 | "A glorious throne set on high from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary." | God's throne as ultimate sanctuary |
| Isa 22:23 | "I will fasten him as a peg in a firm place, and he will be a throne of honor to his father's house." | Symbolic throne of honor related to leadership |
| Ezek 28:4 | "By your wisdom and your understanding you have made wealth for yourself..." | Riches mentioned, but often linked to human pride/sin |
| Matt 6:19-21 | "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." | Spiritual treasures vs. earthly wealth |
| Matt 25:31 | "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne." | Jesus' future glorious throne of judgment |
| Heb 1:8 | "But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever...'" | Christ's eternal, divine throne |
| Rev 4:2-3, 9 | "Behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne... and the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne..." | Vision of God's heavenly throne and worship |
| Rev 20:11 | "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it." | The throne of final judgment |
| Amos 3:15 | "I will strike down the winter house along with the summer house, and the houses of ivory shall perish..." | Ivory linked to excessive, condemnable luxury |
| Amos 6:4 | "Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches..." | Ivory as a symbol of indulgence and unrighteous luxury |
| Eccl 2:8 | "I gathered for myself silver and gold... I acquired male and female singers..." | Solomon's later reflection on the vanity of riches |
| 1 Tim 6:9-10 | "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare... For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." | Danger of desiring riches |
1 Kings 10 verses
1 Kings 10 18 Meaning
This verse describes a specific piece of Solomon's opulent furniture: a grand throne crafted from ivory and overlaid with the highest quality gold. It signifies his unprecedented wealth, immense power, and the regal glory that characterized his reign, distinguishing him above all other monarchs of his time. The throne serves as a tangible representation of the divine blessing and wisdom granted to him, manifesting in material splendor.
1 Kings 10 18 Context
1 Kings chapter 10 recounts the zenith of King Solomon's power, wealth, and wisdom. It details the visit of the Queen of Sheba, who marvels at his kingdom, wisdom, and opulence. Following this, the chapter systematically lists the extent of his prosperity: the enormous annual gold intake, his shield collection, his golden vessels, and the detailed description of this extraordinary throne. The historical context is that of a powerful, centralizing monarchy in ancient Israel, benefiting from lucrative trade routes and unprecedented peace. The chapter presents Solomon's reign as a golden age, contrasting sharply with the fragmented tribal structure that preceded it and foreshadowing the eventual division that followed due to his spiritual compromises. The description of the throne, along with other luxurious items, emphasizes his unmatched material grandeur, which, though a sign of God's blessing, also subtly sets the stage for the potential pitfalls of earthly abundance as per Deuteronomic warnings for kings.
1 Kings 10 18 Word analysis
- Moreover (וַיַּעַשׂ - vayya‘aś): This conjunction serves to connect this statement with the preceding descriptions of Solomon's vast gold revenue. It implies a continuation of the account of his extraordinary wealth and building projects, highlighting an accumulation of riches and their deployment.
- the king (hammeleḵ): Refers directly to Solomon. This highlights his central role and ultimate authority in commissioning and possessing such a significant symbol of power. His status as "the king" implies dominion and unparalleled stature in the region.
- made (‘āśâ): An active verb meaning "to make," "to do," or "to prepare." It signifies deliberate creation and craftsmanship under the king's directive, underscoring the king's resources and control.
- a great throne (כִּסֵּא גָדוֹל - kisseʾ gādôl): A throne (כִּסֵּא - kisseʾ) is universally recognized as the seat of royal authority, judgment, and rule. "Great" (גָדוֹל - gādôl) emphasizes its enormous size, magnificence, and unparalleled splendor among ancient Near Eastern monarchs, underscoring the uniqueness of Solomon's reign.
- of ivory (שֵׁן - šen): "Tooth," specifically referring to ivory (elephant tusks). Ivory was a highly prized and expensive luxury material in the ancient world, imported from distant lands, likely Africa or India. Its presence indicates extensive trade networks and vast financial resources, signaling global connections and an exclusive level of wealth accessible only to the very rich.
- and overlaid it (וַיְצַפֵּהוּ - vayəṣappêhû): This means "he plated it" or "he covered it." This detail emphasizes the painstaking process and additional cost involved in decorating the throne. It wasn't merely constructed of ivory, but extensively embellished with precious metals.
- with pure gold (זָהָב סָגוּר - zāhāḇ sāgûr): "Pure gold" implies the highest quality, most refined, and therefore most valuable type of gold. The term "sāgûr" (from a root meaning "shut up" or "fenced in") suggests gold that is isolated from impurities, perhaps refined by intense heat or from a prime source like Ophir. This specification underlines the extraordinary expense and magnificence, elevating the throne to an artifact of unparalleled luxury.
- "Moreover the king made": This phrase highlights Solomon's direct agency and capability in marshalling vast resources for this project, positioning him as an active builder of an extraordinary kingdom.
- "a great throne of ivory": This emphasizes both the scale and the preciousness of the materials. A "great" throne immediately conveys majesty and imposing presence, while "ivory" signifies rare, imported luxury.
- "overlaid it with pure gold": This indicates a final, dazzling layer of embellishment, compounding the value and splendor. It suggests lavish excess, using gold not just structurally but decoratively, amplifying the throne's visual impact and economic worth.
1 Kings 10 18 Bonus section
The "great throne of ivory" described here is elaborated further in the very next verse (1 Kgs 10:19), noting it had six steps, with twelve lions standing on either side, a design unique and unparalleled in any other kingdom. This additional detail enhances the throne's imposing stature and symbolic power, the lions potentially representing power, authority, or guardianship of the king and his righteous judgments. This throne was not merely a functional seat but a piece of architectural art, symbolizing Solomon's unique status among kings and likely intended to impress visiting dignitaries, such as the Queen of Sheba, with the magnificence and stability of his rule. The material combination of ivory and gold further solidifies the notion of this being the pinnacle of ancient Near Eastern luxury, reflecting Solomon's successful leveraging of international trade and vast resources to unprecedented levels in Israelite history.
1 Kings 10 18 Commentary
1 Kings 10:18 vividly depicts a central item of King Solomon's legendary wealth and prestige: a throne so magnificent it embodied the peak of his kingdom's earthly glory. Constructed from the rare and valuable imported ivory, then meticulously covered with the highest quality pure gold, it was a seat befitting a king considered the wisest and wealthiest of his era. This detailed description isn't merely an enumeration of riches; it powerfully illustrates the fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon for unmatched wealth and honor (1 Kgs 3:13). The throne served as a public symbol of his unrivaled dominion, sagacity, and the vast resources at his disposal, acquired through extensive trade networks and peace. However, within the broader biblical narrative, such lavish accumulation, particularly of gold and luxury items, foreshadows the eventual pitfalls warned against in Deuteronomic law for kings, reminding us that even divinely blessed prosperity, if untempered by spiritual vigilance, can lead to the heart's departure from the Lord.