2 Chronicles 9:18 kjv
And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:
2 Chronicles 9:18 nkjv
The throne had six steps, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne; there were armrests on either side of the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests.
2 Chronicles 9:18 niv
The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them.
2 Chronicles 9:18 esv
The throne had six steps and a footstool of gold, which were attached to the throne, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests,
2 Chronicles 9:18 nlt
The throne had six steps, with a footstool of gold. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, and the figure of a lion stood on each side of the throne.
2 Chronicles 9 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 10:18 | Moreover, the king made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold. | Parallel account of Solomon's throne |
| 1 Ki 10:20 | And twelve lions stood there on the six steps... | Describes the twelve lions on the steps |
| Isa 6:1 | I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up... | God's heavenly throne |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace... | Access to God's divine throne |
| Rev 4:2-3 | And behold, a throne stood in heaven... a rainbow like an emerald... | Vision of God's glorious heavenly throne |
| Rev 22:1 | Then he showed me a river of the water of life... from the throne of God and of the Lamb. | The eternal throne in the new creation |
| 1 Chr 29:23 | Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king... | Solomon's throne is God's delegated authority |
| Psa 110:1 | The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” | Footstool as a symbol of subjugation and victory |
| Isa 66:1 | Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool..." | God's universal sovereignty and authority |
| Gen 49:9 | Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. | Judah, Solomon's tribe, symbolized by a lion |
| Rev 5:5 | Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered... | Christ as the ultimate "Lion of Judah" |
| Prov 30:30 | The lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any, | Lion as a symbol of strength and fearlessness |
| 1 Ki 10:7 | ...the half was not told me; your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. | Queen of Sheba's astonishment at Solomon's glory |
| 2 Chron 9:6 | ...I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes saw it. | Queen confirming Solomon's unmatched glory |
| Matt 6:29 | ...not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these. | Human glory, even Solomon's, is temporary and lesser |
| Matt 12:42 | The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation... to hear the wisdom of Solomon... | The significance of Solomon's wisdom and glory |
| Psa 45:6 | Your throne, O God, is forever and ever... | The eternal nature of divine kingship |
| 2 Sam 7:16 | Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me... | Davidic Covenant establishing a perpetual kingdom |
| Psa 89:36 | His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me. | Promise of a lasting throne through David's line |
| 2 Chron 9:20 | All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold... silver was not considered as anything... | Extent of Solomon's vast wealth |
2 Chronicles 9 verses
2 Chronicles 9 18 Meaning
2 Chronicles 9:18 details the extraordinary grandeur of King Solomon's throne. It was characterized by an ascending structure of six steps, a golden footstool permanently attached to its base, ornate armrests on either side, and two lion figures positioned at these armrests. This description highlights the unparalleled opulence, majesty, and unique authority invested in Solomon's reign, marking it as a pinnacle of earthly royal splendor.
2 Chronicles 9 18 Context
The verse falls within the vivid description of King Solomon's immense wealth, wisdom, and unprecedented glory, particularly highlighted during the visit of the Queen of Sheba (2 Chron 9:1-12). Her awe-struck reaction confirms that what she saw exceeded even the extravagant reports she had heard. Verse 18 is a specific detail illustrating the opulence that overwhelmed her, focusing on his extraordinary throne, a centerpiece of royal power and prestige. The broader context of 2 Chronicles emphasizes the importance of the Davidic covenant and the ideal of a righteous king ruling Israel in God's favor. Solomon's reign, exemplified by such magnificence, represents the peak of Israel's national prosperity and God's blessings when His people and king adhere to His ways. This unique throne serves as a testament to the divine favor poured upon Solomon and his kingdom, showcasing the glory bestowed by the Lord upon His chosen ruler. Implicitly, its unmatched splendor served as a quiet refutation or outshining of any pagan king's claims of divine favor.
2 Chronicles 9 18 Word analysis
- The throne: כִּסֵּא (kisse'). This Hebrew word denotes a seat of royal power, authority, and judgment. In the biblical narrative, it's not just furniture but a symbol of kingship itself, representing the authority God had vested in Solomon, effectively making it "the throne of the LORD" (1 Chr 29:23).
- had six steps: These steps elevated the throne, physically placing the king above his subjects and signifying his exalted status and sovereign authority. The number six, distinct from the divinely perfect seven, might suggest human effort or a state leading to completion, representing a grand, though ultimately finite, earthly accomplishment.
- and a footstool of gold: הֲדֹם זָהָב (hadom zahav). A footstool implies dominion and subjection; placing one's feet upon it symbolizes conquering enemies (Psa 110:1). Its being made of "gold" signifies ultimate value, preciousness, and Solomon's boundless wealth. This golden footstool highlights his absolute dominance and luxury.
- was attached to the throne: קַבֻּעַ (qabbu'a). This indicates permanence and integration. The footstool was not movable but a fixed, integral part of the throne's design, underscoring the solid and established nature of Solomon's dominion.
- there were armrests on either side of the seat: יָדֹות (yadot), literally "hands." These supports for the arms speak of comfort, stability, and the regal dignity required of a monarch.
- and two lions standing beside the armrests: The lion is a powerful and ancient symbol of royalty, strength, courage, and leadership. It is famously associated with the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:9), from which both David and Solomon descended, and ultimately the Messiah. Their presence guarding the armrests reinforced the throne's might, authority, and perhaps even divine protection, projecting an aura of invincibility and majesty.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to the throne": This phrase paints a picture of elevation and profound wealth. The multiple steps signified Solomon's superior position, while the "footstool of gold" underscored his complete mastery and the unparalleled preciousness of his rule. The integration ("attached") indicates a seamless, inherent grandeur and an immovable seat of power.
- "there were armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests": This grouping conveys a sense of imposing regality and secure, guarded authority. The armrests provided physical and symbolic support for the king, while the "two lions" functioned as powerful, majestic guardians, symbolically affirming the king's formidable power, his connection to the royal lineage of Judah, and his divinely appointed strength against any opposition.
2 Chronicles 9 18 Bonus section
- While Solomon's throne was peerless among human kings, it served as an earthly shadow of the supreme, eternal, and far more glorious throne of God Himself (e.g., Isa 6:1; Rev 4:2-3).
- The meticulous detailing of the throne’s wealth in gold contrasts with the ultimate impermanence of all earthly glory, which fades compared to eternal realities (Matt 6:19-21, 29).
- The Queen of Sheba's astonishment (2 Chron 9:6) serves as the human validation of God's supernatural enablement and blessing upon Solomon, emphasizing that this grandeur was divinely ordained.
- The inclusion of lions explicitly links Solomon's kingship to the messianic lineage of Judah, culminating in Christ, who is called "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev 5:5), implying that even this glorious throne pointed forward to a greater, eternal King and His kingdom.
2 Chronicles 9 18 Commentary
2 Chronicles 9:18 presents Solomon's throne as a physical manifestation of the abundant blessings, wisdom, and unprecedented prosperity that God bestowed upon him. It was a unique, magnificent piece, symbolizing not only Solomon's earthly wealth but also the height of Israel's glory under a king divinely appointed and gifted with wisdom. Every detail—the elevated steps, the golden footstool, the commanding lions—spoke volumes of unmatched royal power, authority, and majesty, designed to impress and declare God's favor. This detailed description provides a concrete example of the "greater than all kings of the earth" status God gave Solomon, confirming the reports that astonished the Queen of Sheba and foreshadowing the ultimate, eternal throne of the Son of David, Jesus Christ.