BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Kings› Chapter 10› Verse 20

1 Kings 10:20

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 10:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
1 Kings 10:20 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17And [he made] three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pounds of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
18Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold.
19There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays.
20And 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.
21And all king Solomon`s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
22For the king had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram: once every three years came the navy of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
23So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
← 1 Kings 10:191 Kings 10:21 →
← Full Chapter 10 1 Kings Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps, etc.] 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 f245: 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.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Solomon’s throne, as described, is certainly grander than any of which we have a representation, either in Assyria or Egypt. Much more, then, would it transcend the thrones in inferior kingdoms. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“lions: Gen 49:9; Num 23:24, Num 24:9; Rev 5:5 the like made: Heb. so made 3 Kings (1 Kings) 10:21”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Kings 10 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification