1 Kings 10:19

“The throne had six steps, etc.] Up to the footstool of the throne, which was of gold, (<140918>2 Chronicles 9:18) and was high, that everyone in court might see him, and the better hear the sentence he gave: and the top of the throne was round behind; had a semicircle at the top of it, like an alcove: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat; or “hands” f244, such as the arms of a chair, to lean and rest upon: and two lions stood beside the stays; which were not only ornamental, and for support of the stays, but expressive of majesty, and of undaunted courage and resolution to do justice, and of the danger such expose themselves to, who oppose magistrates in the discharge…”

“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…”

“Round - Made like the half of a circle. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 10:21”

“behind: Heb. on the hinder part thereof stays: Heb. hands. Kg1 10:19 3 Kings (1 Kings) 10:20”