Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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. New Living Translation 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. English Standard Version 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, Berean Standard Bible The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest. Berean Literal Bible And six steps were to the throne, and a footstool of gold, fastened to the throne, and hands on this side and on this on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests. King James Bible 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: New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible There were six steps to the throne and a footstool in gold attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms. NASB 1995 There were six steps to the throne and a footstool in gold attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms. NASB 1977 And there were six steps to the throne and a footstool in gold attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms. Legacy Standard Bible And there were six steps to the throne and a footstool in gold attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms. Amplified Bible There were six steps to the throne and a golden footstool attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat, with two lions standing beside the arms. Berean Annotated Bible The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest. Christian Standard Bible The throne had six steps; there was a footstool covered in gold for the throne, armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests. Holman Christian Standard Bible The throne had six steps; there was a footstool covered in gold for the throne, armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests. American Standard Version And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays. Contemporary English Version It had a gold footstool attached to it and armrests on each side. There was a statue of a lion on each side of the throne, English Revised Version And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays. GOD'S WORD® Translation Six steps led to the throne, which had a gold footstool attached to it. There were armrests on both sides of the seat. Two lions stood beside the armrests. Good News Translation Six steps led up to the throne, and there was a footstool attached to it, covered with gold. There were arms on each side of the throne, and the figure of a lion stood at each side. International Standard Version Six steps led up to the throne. A golden footstool was attached to the throne, which had armrests on each side of the seat and two lions standing on either side of each armrest. NET Bible There were six steps leading up to the throne, and a gold footstool was attached to the throne. The throne had two armrests with a statue of a lion standing on each side. New Heart English Bible And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays. Webster's Bible Translation 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: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest. World English Bible There were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand six steps [are] to the throne, and a footstool of gold, [and] they are fastened to the throne; and [places for] hands [are] on this [side] and on that [side] on the place of the sitting, and two lions are standing near the hands, Berean Literal Bible And six steps were to the throne, and a footstool of gold, fastened to the throne, and hands on this side and on this on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests. Young's Literal Translation and six steps are to the throne, and a footstool of gold, to the throne they are fastened, and hands are on this side and on that on the place of the sitting, and two lions are standing near the hands, Smith's Literal Translation And six steps to the throne, and a footstool in gold holding fast to the throne, and hands from hence and from thence, upon the place of the seat, and two lions standing near the hands. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd six steps to go up to the throne, and a footstool of gold, and two arms one on either side, and two lions standing by the arms: Catholic Public Domain Version And there were six steps, by which he would ascend to the throne, and a footstool of gold, and two arms, one on each side, and two lions standing beside the arms. New American Bible The throne had six steps; a footstool of gold was fastened to the throne, and there was an arm on each side of the seat, with two lions standing next to the arms, New Revised Standard Version The throne had six steps and a footstool of gold, which were attached to the throne, and on each side of the seat were arm rests and two lions standing beside the arm rests, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd there were six steps to the throne, and the rim of the throne encircled from behind it, with armrests on each side of the seat, and two lions standing behind the armrests. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Six steps went up to the throne, and the rim of the throne went around from behind it, and the arms from here and from there on the place of the seat, and two lionesses stood behind the arms. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and arms on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms. Brenton Septuagint Translation And there were six steps to the throne, riveted with gold, and elbows on either side of the seat of the throne, and two lions standing by the elbows: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Solomon's Wealth and Splendor…17Additionally, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. 18The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest. 19Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom.… Cross References The throne had six steps, 1 Kings 10:20 Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom. 1 Kings 10:18 Additionally, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. Ezekiel 1:26-28 Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man. / From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him. / The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking. and a footstool of gold was attached to it. 1 Chronicles 28:2 Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it, Psalm 99:5 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; He is holy! Isaiah 66:1 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? There were armrests on both sides of the seat, Psalm 45:6-7 Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. / You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy. Hebrews 1:8-9 But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. / You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.” 2 Samuel 7:13 He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. with a lion standing beside each armrest. Revelation 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Genesis 49:9 Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Daniel 7:4 The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man and given the mind of a man. Revelation 4:2-4 At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it. / The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne. / Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads. 1 Kings 10:14-17 The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents, / not including the revenue from the merchants, traders, and all the Arabian kings and governors of the land. / King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. … Matthew 6:29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. 1 Kings 7:7 In addition, he built a hall for the throne, the Hall of Justice, where he was to judge. It was paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling. Treasury of Scripture 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: stays [heb] hands Genesis 49:9,10 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? … Numbers 23:24 Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain. Numbers 24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. Jump to Previous Arm Armrests Arms Attached Either Fastened Footstool Gold Hands Lions Rests Seat Side Sides Sitting Six Standing Stays Steps ThroneJump to Next Arm Armrests Arms Attached Either Fastened Footstool Gold Hands Lions Rests Seat Side Sides Sitting Six Standing Stays Steps Throne2 Chronicles 9 1. The queen of sheba admires the wisdom of Solomon13. Solomon's revenue in gold 15. His targets and shields 17. The throne of ivory 20. His vessels 23. His presents 25. His chariots and horse 26. His tributes 29. His reign and death The throne had six steps The six steps leading up to Solomon's throne symbolize the grandeur and majesty of his reign, reflecting the wisdom and wealth bestowed upon him by God. The number six, often associated with human effort and imperfection, contrasts with the divine perfection symbolized by the number seven. This detail highlights the human aspect of Solomon's rule, despite his God-given wisdom. The steps also signify the elevated status of the king, both literally and figuratively, as he ascends to his seat of judgment and authority. and a footstool of gold was attached to it There were armrests on both sides of the seat with a lion standing beside each armrest Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the construction of the temple and his own palace. 2. Throne of Solomon A symbol of Solomon's authority and the grandeur of his reign, described as having six steps and adorned with gold and lions. 3. Jerusalem The capital city of Israel, where Solomon's throne was located, serving as the political and spiritual center of the nation. 4. Lions Symbolic creatures representing strength, majesty, and royal authority, often associated with the tribe of Judah. 5. Footstool of Gold A luxurious addition to the throne, emphasizing the wealth and splendor of Solomon's kingdom. Teaching Points Symbol of Authority and MajestySolomon's throne, with its intricate design and luxurious materials, serves as a powerful symbol of his God-given authority and the majesty of his reign. As believers, we are reminded of the ultimate authority and majesty of God, who reigns over all creation. Wealth and Responsibility The wealth displayed in Solomon's throne reflects the prosperity of his kingdom. However, it also serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with wealth. Christians are called to use their resources wisely and for God's glory, rather than for personal indulgence. Foreshadowing of Christ's Reign The imagery of the throne and lions points forward to the reign of Christ, the true King. As followers of Christ, we are called to live under His authority and anticipate His return, when He will establish His kingdom in fullness. The Role of Symbols in Worship The detailed description of Solomon's throne highlights the importance of symbols in worship and governance. In our own worship practices, we should consider how symbols and rituals can enhance our understanding and reverence for God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 9:18?2. How does Solomon's throne reflect God's blessing and wisdom in 2 Chronicles 9:18? 3. What does the throne's design reveal about Israel's wealth and status under Solomon? 4. How can we apply Solomon's wisdom in our leadership roles today? 5. What other scriptures highlight God's provision and blessing like 2 Chronicles 9:18? 6. How should we prioritize God's wisdom over material wealth in our lives? 7. What is the significance of Solomon's throne having six steps in 2 Chronicles 9:18? 8. How does 2 Chronicles 9:18 reflect the wealth and power of Solomon's reign? 9. Why are lions used as symbols on Solomon's throne in 2 Chronicles 9:18? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 9? 11. Is there any archaeological evidence that confirms the captivity described in Ezekiel 19:4 and 19:9? 12. Psalm 99:5 calls for worship at God's footstool; if this footstool is literal, why is there no archaeological record or clear location for it? 13. How long did Jehoiachin reign? (2 Kings 24:8 vs. 2 Chronicles 36:9) 14. Who was King Jehoram/Joram in biblical history? What Does 2 Chronicles 9:18 Mean The throne had six steps“The throne had six steps”. • Scripture gives a plain, factual detail: Solomon’s throne sat above six distinct levels—an architectural feature that literally elevated the king before the people (1 Kings 10:19). • Six steps created a graduated approach, underscoring order and rank in Israel’s monarchy. Compare Pharaoh’s command that Joseph be “over my house, and all my people shall obey your command” (Genesis 41:40), where position signified authority. • Each step highlighted the majesty God granted Solomon, fulfilling the promise, “I will establish his throne forever” (2 Samuel 7:13). A footstool of gold was attached to it “A footstool of gold was attached to it”. • A literal golden footstool affirms the throne’s grandeur and the kingdom’s prosperity (2 Chronicles 1:12). • In Scripture a footstool pictures dominion—“Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet” (Psalm 110:1; cf. Hebrews 10:13). Solomon, the son of David, foreshadowed the greater Messiah whose rule is absolute. • 1 Chronicles 28:2 calls the temple “the footstool of our God”; Solomon’s throne mirrored heavenly realities, reminding Israel that true sovereignty belongs to the LORD. There were armrests on both sides of the seat “There were armrests on both sides of the seat”. • The dual armrests supplied stability, comfort, and a visible reminder of balanced judgment. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne” (Psalm 89:14). • These practical details show God’s blessing in physical craftsmanship—nothing is too small for His Word to record (Exodus 31:3-5). • Isaiah saw “the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne” (Isaiah 6:1), and John saw “One seated on the throne” (Revelation 4:2). Earthly thrones reflect the heavenly original; Solomon’s armrests spoke of settled, secure governance. With a lion standing beside each armrest “…with a lion standing beside each armrest”. • Lions symbolize strength, courage, and royal power (Proverbs 30:30). Placing one at each side visually guarded the king, echoing “The righteous are as bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). • The parallel passage adds another twelve lions on the steps (1 Kings 10:20), totaling fourteen—a continual reminder of vigilant protection. • Judah is called “a lion’s cub” (Genesis 49:9), and Jesus is “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). These sculpted lions whispered of the coming Messiah whose reign would surpass Solomon’s in glory and might. summary 2 Chronicles 9:18 records literal architectural details that spotlight Solomon’s God-given magnificence: six ascending steps elevate his rule; a golden footstool declares dominion; dual armrests portray stability; and guardian lions picture royal strength and foreshadow Christ. Together they affirm that all true authority, beauty, and power flow from the LORD, whose throne is forever. (18) With a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne.--Instead of this Kings has, And the throne had a rounded top behind. Although the footstool is a prominent object in Oriental representations of thrones, it is quite possible that our text is due to a corruption of that which appears in Kings, and with which the Syriac here agrees. The LXX. renders, "and six steps to the throne, fastened with gold," omitting the footstool. The Heb. is at all events suspiciously awkward.For the remainder of this and the following verse see 1Kings 10:19-20. The chronicler has made two, slight verbal corrections in 2Chronicles 9:19. Hebrew The throneלַ֠כִּסֵּא (lak·kis·sê) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne had six וְשֵׁ֣שׁ (wə·šêš) Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular construct Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number) steps, מַעֲל֣וֹת (ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 4609: Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression and a footstool וְכֶ֨בֶשׁ (wə·ḵe·ḇeš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3534: A footstool of gold בַּזָּהָ֤ב (baz·zā·hāḇ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky was attached to it. מָאֳחָזִ֔ים (mā·’o·ḥā·zîm) Verb - Hofal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession There were armrests וְיָד֛וֹת (wə·yā·ḏō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 3027: A hand on both sides מִזֶּ֥ה (miz·zeh) Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that of עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the seat, מְק֣וֹם (mə·qō·wm) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition with a lion אֲרָי֔וֹת (’ă·rā·yō·wṯ) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 738: A lion standing עֹמְדִ֖ים (‘ō·mə·ḏîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations beside אֵ֥צֶל (’ê·ṣel) Preposition Strong's 681: A joining together, proximity each armrest. הַיָּדֽוֹת׃ (hay·yā·ḏō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 3027: A hand Links 2 Chronicles 9:18 NIV2 Chronicles 9:18 NLT 2 Chronicles 9:18 ESV 2 Chronicles 9:18 NASB 2 Chronicles 9:18 KJV 2 Chronicles 9:18 BibleApps.com 2 Chronicles 9:18 Biblia Paralela 2 Chronicles 9:18 Chinese Bible 2 Chronicles 9:18 French Bible 2 Chronicles 9:18 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Chronicles 9:18 And there were six steps to (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) |
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