1 Kings 10:20

20 and twelve more lions standing on each side of the six steps. Nothing like it had ever been made in any kingdom.

1 Kings 10:20 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 10:20

And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other
upon the six steps
There was a lion on each side of every step, a symbol of royal power, as before observed; so the Egyptians placed lions under the throne of Orus F18:

there was not the like made in any kingdom;
for the matter and form of it, for its grandeur and magnificence; there was none at least at that time, whatever has been since; for this is the first throne of ivory we read of.


FOOTNOTES:

F18 Hori Apoll. Hieroglyph, l. 1. c. 17.

1 Kings 10:20 In-Context

18 The king also made a large throne of ivory and overlaid it with the finest gold.
19 The throne had six steps, a back with a rounded top, arms on either side of the seat, two lions standing beside the arms,
20 and twelve more lions standing on each side of the six steps. Nothing like it had ever been made in any kingdom.
21 All King Shlomo's drinking vessels were of gold; and all the utensils in the House of the L'vanon Forest were of pure gold; none was of silver, for in Shlomo's time it was regarded as having little value.
22 The king had a fleet of large "Tarshish" ships along with Hiram's fleet; once every three years the "Tarshish" fleet came in, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.