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Selected Verse: 1 Kings 10:19 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Ki 10:19	Strong Concordance	The throne [03678] had six [08337] steps [04609], and the top [07218] of the throne [03678] was round [05696] behind [0310]: and there were stays [03027] on either side on the place [04725] of the seat [07675], and two [08147] lions [0738] stood [05975] beside [0681] the stays [03027].
	King James	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.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Representations of thrones are frequent in the Egyptian and Assyrian sculptures. They have no steps up to them, but frequently stand upon square bases. The back appears to be flat at the top, not rounded. Assyrian thrones have "stays" or arms on either side, and they stand generally upon lion's feet. They are always accompanied by a footstool. Lions stood beside the stays - The arms of Assyrian thrones are occasionally supported by figures of animals. The throne of Rameses II at Medinet Abou has a sphinx at the side and a lion below the sphinx. The figure of the lion is naturally adopted by any imaginative race as an emblem of sovereignty. In the present case its adoption seems to have grown directly out of the poetic imagery of inspired prophets, who, living before the time of Solomon, had compared Israel Num 23:24; Num 24:9, and more particularly Judah Gen 49:9, to a lion. The "twelve lions" of Kg1 10:20 were probably intended to be emblematic of the twelve tribes. Josephus adds to the description of Solomon's throne here given, that the seat was supported by a golden ox or bull, with its head turned over its shoulder. As the lion was especially emblematic of Judah, so was the ox or bull of Ephraim. (Hos 4:16; Hos 10:11; Jer 31:18, etc.)

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Representations of thrones are frequent in the Egyptian and Assyrian sculptures. They have no steps up to them, but frequently stand upon square bases. The back appears to be flat at the top, not rounded. Assyrian thrones have "stays" or arms on either side, and they stand generally upon lion's feet. They are always accompanied by a footstool.

Lions stood beside the stays - The arms of Assyrian thrones are occasionally supported by figures of animals. The throne of Rameses II at Medinet Abou has a sphinx at the side and a lion below the sphinx. The figure of the lion is naturally adopted by any imaginative race as an emblem of sovereignty. In the present case its adoption seems to have grown directly out of the poetic imagery of inspired prophets, who, living before the time of Solomon, had compared Israel Num 23:24; Num 24:9, and more particularly Judah Gen 49:9, to a lion. The "twelve lions" of Kg1 10:20 were probably intended to be emblematic of the twelve tribes. Josephus adds to the description of Solomon's throne here given, that the seat was supported by a golden ox or bull, with its head turned over its shoulder. As the lion was especially emblematic of Judah, so was the ox or bull of Ephraim. (Hos 4:16; Hos 10:11; Jer 31:18, etc.)

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Round - Made like the half of a circle.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
The throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side - This description seems to indicate that the throne was in the form of one of our ancient round-topped, two-armed chairs. This throne or chair of state was raised on a platform, the ascent to which consisted of six steps. What we call stays is in the Hebrew ידת yadoth, hands, which serves to confirm the conjecture above.

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¹⁸ I have surely [08085] heard [08085] Ephraim [0669] bemoaning [05110] himself thus; Thou hast chastised [03256] me, and I was chastised [03256], as a bullock [05695] unaccustomed [03808] [03925] to the yoke: turn [07725] thou me, and I shall be turned [07725]; for thou art the LORD [03068] my God [0430].

¹¹ And Ephraim [0669] is as an heifer [05697] that is taught [03925], and loveth [0157] to tread out [01758] the corn; but I passed over [05674] upon her fair [02898] neck [06677]: I will make Ephraim [0669] to ride [07392]; Judah [03063] shall plow [02790], and Jacob [03290] shall break his clods [07702].

¹⁶ For Israel [03478] slideth back [05637] as a backsliding [05637] heifer [06510]: now the LORD [03068] will feed [07462] them as a lamb [03532] in a large place [04800].

²⁰ And twelve [08147] [06240] lions [0738] stood [05975] there on the one side and on the other upon the six [08337] steps [04609]: there was not the like [03651] made [06213] in any kingdom [04467].

⁹ Judah [03063] is a lion's [0738] whelp [01482]: from the prey [02964], my son [01121], thou art gone up [05927]: he stooped down [03766], he couched [07257] as a lion [0738], and as an old lion [03833]; who shall rouse him up [06965]?

⁹ He couched [03766], he lay down [07901] as a lion [0738], and as a great lion [03833]: who shall stir him up [06965]? Blessed [01288] is he that blesseth [01288] thee, and cursed [0779] is he that curseth [0779] thee.

²⁴ Behold, the people [05971] shall rise up [06965] as a great lion [03833], and lift up [05375] himself as a young lion [0738]: he shall not lie down [07901] until he eat [0398] of the prey [02964], and drink [08354] the blood [01818] of the slain [02491].