1 Kings 10:20 kjv
And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
1 Kings 10:20 nkjv
Twelve lions stood there, one on each side of the six steps; nothing like this had been made for any other kingdom.
1 Kings 10:20 niv
Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom.
1 Kings 10:20 esv
while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. The like of it was never made in any kingdom.
1 Kings 10:20 nlt
There were also twelve other lions, one standing on each end of the six steps. No other throne in all the world could be compared with it!
1 Kings 10 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 10:18-19 | Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side of the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. | Describes the throne's materials and general features. |
| 2 Chron 9:18-19 | Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold...six steps...and two lions stood by the stays...and twelve lions standing on the one side and on the other. | Parallel account emphasizing the same unparalleled design. |
| 1 Kgs 10:23 | So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. | Directly states Solomon's global preeminence. |
| 1 Kgs 3:12-13 | I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee...And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour. | God's promise of unique wisdom and wealth to Solomon. |
| 1 Kgs 4:29-30 | And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much...so that Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. | God as the source of Solomon's exceptional wisdom. |
| Deut 4:32 | Ask now of the days that are past...whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it? | Highlights Israel's unique divine experiences, echoing "not the like." |
| Exo 15:11 | Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness...? | The concept of divine uniqueness, mirrored in Solomon's reign by God's grace. |
| Psa 86:8 | Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither can any works compare unto thy works. | Reiteration of God's unrivaled nature, reflected in His servant's blessing. |
| Isa 45:5 | I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me... | God's absolute uniqueness, setting a standard for earthly distinction. |
| Gen 49:9-10 | Judah is a lion's whelp...He couched as a lion...The sceptre shall not depart from Judah...until Shiloh come. | Connects lions with the tribe of Judah, from which kings (like Solomon) would descend. |
| Num 23:24 | Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion... | Lions symbolize strength and power for God's people. |
| Rev 5:5 | ...Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book... | Jesus as the ultimate 'Lion' of Judah, drawing on kingly lion imagery. |
| Isa 2:7 | Their land also is full of silver and gold...neither is there any end of their treasures... | Reflects the earthly accumulation of wealth described for Solomon. |
| Isa 2:12-17 | For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty... | Caution against pride associated with earthly glory, a potential lesson from Solomon's later life. |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. | Warns against the potential spiritual danger of immense wealth and power. |
| James 4:6 | ...God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. | Theological principle contrasting earthly pride with divine favor. |
| Matt 6:19-21 | Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... | Christ's teaching on the temporal nature of earthly wealth compared to eternal treasures. |
| Eccl 2:4-11 | I made me great works...I gathered me also silver and gold...So I was great...and whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them...all was vanity and vexation of spirit. | Solomon's later reflection on the ultimate futility of immense material possessions. |
| 1 Kgs 11:1-8 | But king Solomon loved many strange women...and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God... | Shows Solomon's spiritual decline despite his unparalleled earthly glory. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me... | Underscores the true source of glory, redirecting from material wealth to relationship with God. |
1 Kings 10 verses
1 Kings 10 20 Meaning
1 Kings 10:20 describes the unparalleled grandeur of King Solomon's ivory and gold throne. Its unique design, featuring twelve lions on each side of six steps, signified an unsurpassed level of luxury, craftsmanship, and royal authority that no other kingdom in the ancient world could rival. It served as a vivid emblem of the unprecedented wealth, wisdom, and divine favor bestowed upon Solomon and the kingdom of Israel at its peak.
1 Kings 10 20 Context
1 Kings 10 details the peak of Solomon's reign, focusing on his immense wealth, wisdom, and international recognition. The chapter opens with the Queen of Sheba's visit, where she witnesses and marvels at Solomon's extraordinary wisdom, the opulence of his palace, and the prosperity of his kingdom, confessing that "the half was not told me" (1 Kgs 10:7). Verses 14-29 further elaborate on his vast accumulation of gold, silver, valuable wood, and the organization of his royal household, highlighting his commercial prowess and unique position among world leaders. The description of his magnificent throne in verses 18-20 serves as a powerful symbol of this unparalleled royal majesty, reinforcing the divine blessings upon him. The throne, with its precious materials and numerous lions, represents the pinnacle of ancient Near Eastern kingship as manifested in Israel.
1 Kings 10 20 Word analysis
- And there were twelve lions: The Hebrew
וּשְׁנֵי עָשָׂר אֲרָיוֹת(u-shnei asar arayot). "Lions" (arayot) symbolize strength, royalty, ferocity, and judicial authority. The number "twelve" is highly symbolic, typically representing the twelve tribes of Israel. This suggests Solomon's comprehensive authority over all the tribes and possibly the tribes' strength united under his rule. - on the one side and twelve lions on the other side: Implies a symmetrical and imposing display of power, flanking the royal ascent. The sheer number of twenty-four lions (twenty-two on steps as detailed in 1 Kgs 10:20 itself, alongside the two at the armrests in 1 Kgs 10:19) amplifies the impression of royal majesty and guardianship.
- upon the six steps: The throne was elevated, physically raising the king above his subjects. Each step likely emphasized the hierarchical order and royal progression. This elevation was a common feature of ancient royal thrones, signifying divine or supreme authority. The precise number of steps indicates careful and deliberate architectural design.
- there was not the like made: The Hebrew
לֹא נַעֲשָׂה כֵן(lo na'aseh khen), literally "not made so" or "nothing was made like it." This emphatic phrase asserts the singular uniqueness and superior craftsmanship of Solomon's throne. It points to a standard of luxury and artistry unmatched in contemporary kingdoms. - in any kingdom: The Hebrew
בְּכָל מַמְלָכֹת(b'khol mamlachot). This phrase broadens the scope of uniqueness beyond Israel, confirming that Solomon's throne truly stood unrivaled globally. It underlines his status as the wealthiest and most splendid monarch of his era.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "twelve lions on the one side and twelve lions on the other side": This exact numerical specification and symmetry highlights the systematic order and perfect authority associated with Solomon's rule, overseeing all Israel. It portrays a reign of complete power and secure majesty, guarded by strength and embodying tribal unity.
- "upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom": The combination of physical grandeur (elevated steps) and explicit declaration of unparalleled status conveys both tangible opulence and divine exceptionalism. The steps represent ascension and the King's elevated position. The assertion of "not the like" emphasizes God's unique favor upon Israel through Solomon, making his reign stand apart from all other earthly dominions. It is a powerful statement about the preeminence and divine blessing bestowed on Israel during its golden age under God's chosen king.
1 Kings 10 20 Bonus section
- Materials: Although not explicitly mentioned in this verse, 1 Kings 10:18 states the throne was made of ivory and overlaid with pure gold, emphasizing its immense value and luxury. Ivory, typically imported, signified exotic trade and vast resources, further contributing to the throne's exceptional nature.
- Architectural Significance: The throne was located in the "House of the Forest of Lebanon" (1 Kgs 7:2, 1 Kgs 10:17), part of Solomon's grand royal complex, not the Temple. This distinction is important, as it highlights his secular (royal) authority and magnificence, distinct from his sacred duties associated with the Temple.
- Polemics/Superiority: The phrase "not the like made in any kingdom" functions as an indirect polemic against other major ancient Near Eastern empires (like Egypt or Mesopotamia), asserting that even their royal pomp paled in comparison to God-blessed Israel's splendor. It elevates Israel as a chosen nation.
- Historical Echoes: Accounts from ancient empires (e.g., Assyria, Egypt) often describe impressive thrones, yet the biblical narrative uniquely emphasizes Solomon's as unparalleled, reflecting divine blessing.
1 Kings 10 20 Commentary
1 Kings 10:20 culminates the description of Solomon's throne, portraying it as an artifact of unparalleled splendor and unique craftsmanship. The elaborate detail of twenty-four lions meticulously placed on either side of the six steps signifies more than just aesthetic beauty; it is laden with symbolic meaning. Lions traditionally represent power, sovereignty, justice, and protection. Their presence on a royal throne would emphasize the king's strength, his rightful dominion over his subjects, and his role as a guardian. The specific number twelve, multiplied, ties into the twelve tribes of Israel, reinforcing Solomon's divinely sanctioned authority over the united kingdom.
The explicit declaration "there was not the like made in any kingdom" serves as a hyperbolic yet potent affirmation of Solomon's preeminence among the rulers of his day. This unparalleled status was not merely a result of human ingenuity or natural resources, but deeply rooted in God's specific promise and blessing to Solomon (1 Kgs 3:12-13, 1 Kgs 4:29-30). Thus, the throne, majestic and unrivaled, became a tangible testament to the covenantal faithfulness of God towards His people Israel, particularly at the height of the kingdom's glory. While this passage highlights prosperity, it also implicitly foreshadows the potential spiritual dangers of accumulating vast wealth and earthly glory if it leads to pride and deviation from God's commands (as seen in 1 Kgs 11).