1 Kings 10:19 kjv
The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
1 Kings 10:19 nkjv
The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round at the back; there were armrests on either side of the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests.
1 Kings 10:19 niv
The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them.
1 Kings 10:19 esv
The throne had six steps, and the throne had a round top, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests,
1 Kings 10:19 nlt
The throne had six steps and a rounded back. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, and the figure of a lion stood on each side of the throne.
1 Kings 10 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 10:18 | Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with… gold. | The material opulence of the throne. |
| 1 Kgs 10:20 | And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the… | Full number of lions, representing Israel's tribes. |
| 1 Kgs 10:23 | So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for… | Solomon's unmatched global preeminence. |
| 2 Chr 9:17-19 | The account in Chronicles for Solomon's throne. | Parallel description of the same throne. |
| 2 Chr 9:22 | King Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in wealth and wisdom. | Confirms Solomon's extraordinary status. |
| Ps 45:6 | Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is… | Contrast: God's eternal throne vs. earthly kingship. |
| Ps 89:4 | Your seed I will establish forever, and build up your throne to all… | God's covenant promise for the Davidic throne. |
| Isa 9:7 | Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David… | Prophecy of Christ's eternal Davidic throne. |
| Lk 1:32-33 | He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. | Fulfillment in Jesus, the true King. |
| Rev 20:4 | And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to… | Believers sharing authority in Christ's reign. |
| Gen 49:9 | Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. | Judah (Solomon's tribe) associated with lion imagery. |
| Num 24:9 | He crouches, he lies down like a lion; And as a lion, who dares rouse him? | Lion as a symbol of Israel's strength/blessing. |
| Rev 5:5 | Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has… | Jesus Christ as the victorious Lion. |
| Deut 17:16 | But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to… | Warning against royal excess, which Solomon displayed. |
| Prov 27:24 | For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations. | Temporal nature of earthly wealth/power. |
| Lk 12:16-21 | The parable of the rich fool, whose abundance was short-lived. | Emphasizes the transient nature of material wealth. |
| Mt 6:19-21 | Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust do… | Call to prioritize eternal treasures over earthly riches. |
| Jas 5:1-6 | Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming… | Rebuke against trust in material wealth. |
| 1 Chr 29:23 | Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David… | Solomon's throne represented God's authority in Israel. |
| Zech 6:13 | Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory and… | Messiah as Priest-King on His throne. |
| Exod 25:17-22 | Describe the Ark of the Covenant with cherubim above the mercy seat. | Divine "throne" comparison, both adorned with figures. |
| Ps 122:5 | For there thrones are set for judgment, the thrones of the house of… | Thrones as seats of judgment and authority. |
1 Kings 10 verses
1 Kings 10 19 Meaning
King Solomon's throne was a structure of exceptional grandeur, built with six steps leading up to it. Its design included a distinctively rounded top at the back, flanked by supportive armrests on either side of the seat. Guarding these armrests were two sculptured lion figures, all contributing to the throne's awe-inspiring display of unparalleled wealth, wisdom, and royal authority.
1 Kings 10 19 Context
This verse is situated within 1 Kings chapter 10, which portrays the height of Solomon's reign, immediately following the Queen of Sheba's visit. Her astonishment at Solomon's wisdom and wealth (1 Kgs 10:4-9) sets the stage for the detailed description of his royal splendor, including his grand throne (1 Kgs 10:18-20). This account underscores Solomon's unprecedented glory, emphasizing that "King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom" (1 Kgs 10:23). Historically, this period marked Israel's golden age under the Davidic dynasty, showcasing God's blessings upon the nation through their wise and prosperous king, before later spiritual and political decline. The description serves to magnify God's abundant provision and the extraordinary wisdom He bestowed upon Solomon.
1 Kings 10 19 Word analysis
- The throne (Hebrew: כִּסֵּא, kisse): Not merely a piece of furniture, but a profound symbol of the king's dominion, authority, and judicial power. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, a throne was often the most elaborately crafted item in the palace, visually asserting the monarch's supreme status and the stability of his rule. The very presence of a magnificent throne implied a powerful and secure kingdom.
- had six steps: (Hebrew: מַעֲלוֹת, ma'alot, "steps" or "ascents"). These steps elevated the king above the common level, signifying his unique and elevated status among the people and nations. They indicated a process of ascent to reach the pinnacle of power and judgment. The number six, while not explicitly given symbolic meaning here, might suggest completion of earthly endeavor or work leading to a state of eminence, given that seven is often associated with divine perfection.
- and the top of the throne was round behind: (Hebrew: מְעֻגָּל, me'uggal, "rounded"). This detail indicates an unusual and intricate design, moving beyond a simple, flat backrest. It might suggest a semicircular canopy, a rounded top for artistic relief, or even a design feature intended for specific ceremonial or aesthetic purposes. This detail underscores the exceptional craftsmanship and unique artistry employed in its creation, setting it apart from other contemporary royal furniture.
- and there were stays: (Hebrew: יָדוֹת, yadot, literally "hands" or "arms"). These refer to the armrests of the throne. Like the rest of the throne, these would have been highly ornamented, made of ivory and overlaid with gold as noted in the preceding verse. Their practical function of support would be interwoven with elaborate decoration, further enhancing the throne's regal appearance.
- on either side on the place of the seat: This specifies the precise placement of the armrests, contributing to the detailed visual description of the throne's structure. It highlights the throne's functional design while maintaining its artistic grandeur.
- and two lions stood beside the stays: (Hebrew: אַרְיֹת, aryot, "lions"). Lions are ancient and pervasive symbols of power, royalty, strength, and courage in the Near East. In the Israelite context, the lion was also specifically associated with the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:9), from which the Davidic dynasty, including Solomon, sprang. Their presence flanking the king not only emphasized his formidable power but also his lineage and rightful claim to the throne, embodying a guardian-like, protective aspect over the seated monarch. This specific placement underscores the lions as symbols of strength guarding royal authority.
1 Kings 10 19 Bonus section
The complete description of Solomon's throne, found in 1 Kings 10:18-20, specifies that it was crafted from ivory and overlaid with pure gold, adding further detail to the lavishness hinted at in verse 19. The total of twelve lions (two at the armrests and ten on the steps mentioned in verse 20) is highly significant. These likely represented the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the unity of the kingdom under Solomon's reign, mirroring the twelve tribes under God's covenant. This numerical motif is also seen in the twelve oxen supporting the bronze sea (1 Kgs 7:25) in the Temple courtyard. Furthermore, this description of an earthly throne in ancient Israel can be seen in conversation with descriptions of God's divine throne (e.g., Exod 25:17-22), establishing Solomon's authority as reflective of divine appointment and wisdom, even if it later subtly prefigured the dangers of worldly accumulation warned against in books like Deuteronomy.
1 Kings 10 19 Commentary
1 Kings 10:19 meticulously describes Solomon's majestic throne, revealing it as a physical manifestation of his extraordinary wealth and divinely bestowed wisdom. This wasn't merely a functional seat but a grand display, elevating the king physically and symbolically through its six steps. The unique "rounded" back suggests unparalleled craftsmanship and intricate design, indicating that no expense or artistic detail was spared. The prominent placement of two lions, common symbols of strength, royalty, and Judah's tribal identity, flanking the armrests further underscored Solomon's unassailable power and rightful reign. As the context elaborates on the additional ten lions on the steps (1 Kgs 10:20), the complete design likely symbolized Solomon's unifying rule over all twelve tribes of Israel. This throne was not just a testament to Solomon's opulence, but represented the zenith of the Davidic kingdom's glory, embodying justice, might, and God's favor in the heart of Jerusalem. Its detailed description allows the reader to vividly comprehend the unparalleled splendor that prompted the Queen of Sheba's profound astonishment.