In 1 Kings 10:18–20 the inspired writer tells his readers of the throne that Solomon had made for himself in the royal residence. These verses are an example of the different views that commentators have of this whole chapter. Some see them as a display of another part that made up the God-given glory of Solomon. Other interpreters see it as evidence of the misuse of the wealth that Solomon had acquired.
The description given of the throne is certainly impressive. The throne itself was constructed of ivory (a very costly material), and that ivory was completely overlaid with gold. The throne was lifted above the floor level, and six steps were required to reach it. It had armrests on each side that were guarded, so to speak, by a golden lion on each side. Twelve more lions of gold were positioned on each end of the six ascending steps.
What do we think of this throne? In the movie Waterloo, a movie treating the last one hundred days of Napoleon Bonaparte’s reign over France that culminated in his loss at the Battle of Waterloo, he is pictured as saying, What is the throne? It is just a fancy chair.
He goes on to say in effect that it is or was his personality that gave meaning to the throne. There is some truth in the original statement of Napoleon, for at the end of the day, a throne is a somewhat fancy chair.
Regarding Solomon’s throne, can we say that there was some grandeur that spilled off the throne upon him? Was he instead seeking to make a demonstration that his greatness as the king of Israel deserved a throne of sufficient magnificence? In other places, the Bible indicates that the king of Israel was thought to sit upon the throne of the Lord. The throne we have before us here, however, is not the throne of God, for the throne of God was above the mercy seat and the cherubim in the temple that Solomon had constructed. Had Solomon forgotten who the true king of Israel was? This question, though we may not have a definitive answer to it, is one that is profitable to ask. Similar questions arise as consideration is given to the verses following.
18 The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with the finest gold.