2 Chronicles 9:19 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.
2 Chronicles 9:19 nkjv
Twelve lions stood there, one on each side of the six steps; nothing like this had been made for any other kingdom.
2 Chronicles 9:19 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.
2 Chronicles 9:19 esv
while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. Nothing like it was ever made for any kingdom.
2 Chronicles 9:19 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!
2 Chronicles 9 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 10:19 | "The throne had six steps, and a back... on each side were armrests...two lions standing beside the armrests." | Direct parallel in the Book of Kings. |
| 1 Ki 10:20 | "Twelve lions stood there on the six steps, six on each side..." | More details on the many lions of the throne. |
| 2 Ch 9:17 | "...King Solomon made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold." | Overall material of the throne. |
| 2 Ch 9:20 | "All King Solomon’s goblets were of gold, and all the household articles..." | Exemplifies Solomon's overall wealth. |
| 2 Ch 1:12 | "wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches and wealth and honor..." | God's promise to Solomon, fulfilled in the throne. |
| Gen 49:9 | "Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up." | Judah as a lion, prefiguring the Davidic line. |
| Rev 5:5 | "See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed." | Jesus as the ultimate Lion of Judah. |
| Ps 45:6 | "Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever; a scepter of justice..." | The divine, eternal nature of God's throne. |
| Ps 110:1 | "The Lord says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" | Footstool as a symbol of dominion/conquest. |
| Isa 6:1 | "I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe..." | Vision of God's majestic, heavenly throne. |
| Heb 4:16 | "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence..." | God's throne as a source of grace for believers. |
| Rev 4:2 | "and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it." | Description of the heavenly throne room. |
| Ex 25:11 | "Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it." | Gold used for holy, sacred objects (Ark). |
| Hag 2:8 | "‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty." | God is the ultimate owner of all wealth. |
| Mat 6:19 | "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy..." | Contrast: warning against love of worldly riches. |
| 1 Tim 6:9-10 | "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap..." | Warning about the dangers of coveting wealth. |
| Prov 28:1 | "The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." | Lion symbolizing courage, here in context of righteousness. |
| Am 3:8 | "The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Sovereign Lord has spoken—who can but prophesy?" | Lion's roar representing God's authoritative voice. |
| Jn 1:49 | "‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’" | Jesus acknowledged as King, destined for a throne. |
| Lk 1:32-33 | "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David..." | Prophecy of Christ inheriting David's eternal throne. |
| Rev 21:18 | "The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as clear as glass." | Future heavenly glory, where gold is abundant and common. |
| Isa 9:7 | "Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne..." | Prophecy of the enduring, righteous Davidic reign. |
2 Chronicles 9 verses
2 Chronicles 9 19 Meaning
2 Chronicles 9:19 describes specific magnificent features of King Solomon's renowned throne, highlighting its extraordinary opulence and symbolic grandeur. The verse details that the throne was accessed by "six steps," suggesting a considerable elevation and processional approach. Integral to the throne was a "footstool of gold," further emphasizing its lavishness and the king's elevated status. Flanking the royal seat were "armrests," designed for comfort and majesty, and significantly, "two lions standing beside the armrests." This imagery portrays a throne that was not merely furniture but a potent symbol of Solomon's unparalleled wisdom, vast wealth, royal authority, and divinely endowed power and justice, reflecting the peak of Israel's glory under his reign.
2 Chronicles 9 19 Context
Chapter 9 of 2 Chronicles details the unprecedented wealth, wisdom, and glory of King Solomon's reign, climaxing with the visit of the Queen of Sheba who is utterly astonished by his magnificence and the splendor of his court. This verse, 2 Chronicles 9:19, directly contributes to that portrayal by specifically describing Solomon's royal throne, a centerpiece of his power and authority. The preceding verses account for his vast gold revenue (v. 13-16), and the construction of this majestic throne is presented as a testament to his unmatched royal standing among the kings of the earth. In the Chronicler's narrative, Solomon's unparalleled wealth and wisdom are direct results of God's favor, stemming from his dedication to building the Temple (2 Chron 1:11-12). The throne, therefore, is not merely a sign of earthly riches but a tangible representation of divine blessing upon the Davidic monarchy at its zenith, setting a standard for future kings, though none would achieve its grandeur. Historically and culturally, ancient Near Eastern monarchs used elaborate thrones to project immense power, stability, and often, divine legitimacy. The detailed description here aims to solidify Solomon's status as a monarch whose earthly reign mirrored, in its glory, a divine endorsement, foreshadowing a perfect reign.
2 Chronicles 9 19 Word analysis
There were six steps:
- Hebrew: שֵׁשׁ מַעֲלוֹת (shesh ma'aloth) – "six steps" or "six ascents."
- Significance: Royal thrones often stood elevated, requiring steps. The number six, while often associated with human work or imperfection, here denotes a grand, ascending approach to the pinnacle of earthly authority. It signifies elevation, the dignity required to approach the king, and possibly alludes to a structured, established pathway to the seat of power and justice.
to the throne:
- Hebrew: לַכִּסֵּא (lakkisseh) – "to the throne/seat."
- Significance: The "throne" (כִּסֵּא, kisseh) is the central symbol of sovereignty, royal prerogative, judgment, and government. It represents the very embodiment of the king's rule and his place of rendering justice. In the biblical context, it parallels the concept of God's own throne as the seat of ultimate authority and justice.
with a footstool of gold:
- Hebrew: וְכֶבֶשׁ זָהָב (v’khevesh zahav) – "and a footstool of gold."
- Significance: A "footstool" is a practical element of royal comfort, but more profoundly, it symbolized a conquered foe or dominion. To place one's feet upon it demonstrated complete triumph and absolute sovereignty. The material "gold" emphasizes extraordinary wealth, preciousness, divine favor, and unparalleled luxury.
attached to the throne:
- Hebrew: מֻחְבָּר אֶל הַכִּסֵּא (mukhbar el ha-kisseh) – "joined to the throne."
- Significance: This detail suggests a singular, unified construction, not merely an add-on. It implies seamlessness in design and a sturdy, permanent fixture, reinforcing the enduring nature and integral grandeur of Solomon's kingship.
and on each side of the seat were armrests:
- Hebrew: יָדוֹת (yadot) – literally "hands," referring to armrests or supports.
- Significance: "Armrests" provide comfort and formal support, emphasizing the regality and dignified posture of the king. Their placement "on each side" highlights symmetry, balance, and a complete, well-designed structure befitting a king's majesty.
and two lions standing beside the armrests:
- Hebrew: וּשְׁנֵי אֲרָיוֹת עֹמְדִים עַל יַד הַיָּדוֹת (u'shnei arayot omdim al yad ha-yadot) – "and two lions standing beside the supports/armrests."
- Significance: Lions are ancient symbols of strength, courage, royalty, majesty, and justice. They guard the king's person and authority. For Israel, the lion was also the emblem of the tribe of Judah (from which David and Solomon descended), signifying their royal lineage. The "two" lions imply balanced power, perhaps embodying justice and strength, or symbolizing complete authority over dual aspects of his realm. Their "standing" posture denotes readiness, alertness, and active watchfulness, perpetually upholding the king's authority.
Words-group Analysis:
- "six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold...armrests and two lions": This combination of detailed elements constructs a powerful visual metaphor for King Solomon's earthly kingdom at its zenith. Each component contributes to an overall impression of overwhelming magnificence and divine favor. The steps denote his elevated status; the throne signifies his judicial and sovereign power; the gold footstool represents dominion and incomparable wealth; the armrests speak of settled, comfortable authority; and the lions encapsulate the strength, wisdom, and righteous judgment inherent in his divinely-sanctioned rule, all while underscoring the fulfillment of God's covenant with David for a prosperous kingdom. The assembly of these components projects not just luxury but legitimate, God-given authority that garners awe and respect from all who behold it, including the Queen of Sheba.
2 Chronicles 9 19 Bonus section
- The Number of Lions: While this verse specifies "two lions standing beside the armrests," the parallel account in 1 Kings 10:20 elaborates, stating there were also "twelve lions standing there on the six steps, six on each side." This means the total count of lions around the throne was considerably higher, creating an even more intimidating and awe-inspiring effect, and further emphasizes Solomon's exceptional power. The Chronicler might have chosen to highlight the two armrest lions for their immediate proximity to the king and their potent symbolism, without negating the existence of others.
- Material of the Throne: Although 2 Chronicles 9:19 only mentions the "footstool of gold," 2 Chronicles 9:17 reveals that "King Solomon made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold." This adds another layer of lavishness, with ivory being an extremely valuable and imported material, showcasing the global reach of Solomon's trade and his boundless resources.
- Throne as Center of Justice: Beyond being a symbol of wealth, the throne was the functional seat of Solomon's justice and governance. Its design likely served to instill awe and deference in all who approached the king for judgment or petition, visually reinforcing his authority as the supreme judge of the land (1 Kings 3:9, 11:28).
- Solomon's Reign as a Type: Solomon's golden age, marked by peace, prosperity, and the glory of the Temple and his throne, is often seen by biblical scholars as a foreshadowing or type of the coming messianic kingdom. This ultimate kingdom, under Jesus Christ, will embody perfect wisdom, justice, everlasting peace, and an even greater, unblemished glory than that achieved by Solomon.
2 Chronicles 9 19 Commentary
2 Chronicles 9:19 presents a focused detail of King Solomon's throne, epitomizing the extraordinary wealth and wisdom divinely bestowed upon him. This verse, mirroring its counterpart in 1 Kings, serves to emphasize the peak of the Davidic monarchy's splendor, making concrete the abstract descriptions of Solomon's unprecedented glory. The "six steps" and the integrating "footstool of gold" underscored not just a physically elevated position but a profound, almost cosmic, distinction from other rulers, suggesting complete mastery. The "armrests" indicate comfort in supreme authority, while the "two standing lions" powerfully symbolize the strength, majesty, and justice associated with Solomon's kingship. These leonine figures specifically link back to the prophecy of Judah as a "lion's cub" (Gen 49:9), affirming Solomon's rightful and powerful place within his divinely chosen lineage. His throne, crafted from exotic ivory and overlaid with pure gold as noted elsewhere in the chapter, served as the epicenter of his vast kingdom, from which he dispensed his renowned wisdom and administered justice. This opulent display was more than mere vanity; it was a visible manifestation of Yahweh's covenant blessings upon Israel, demonstrating His capacity to bless and prosper His people when led by a faithful ruler, prefiguring the even greater glory and just rule of the Messiah, the true King of kings.