1 Kings 10:18

Verses 14 through 22 describe the riches and the splendor of the kingdom. Gold, the emblem of divine righteousness, stands out everywhere under Solomon's reign, from the temple to the throne. The throne was marvelous: "There was not the like made in any kingdom." It was the throne of righteousness and of power, and it bore the emblems of these.

Six steps led up to the throne. It was rounded at the back and had arm rests on either side, and beside the arm rests were two lions. There were also two lions on each of the six steps, that is, 12 lions (v.20). These lions were part of the throne, and since the throne had six steps, all of these steps and lions were overlaid with gold. Nothing like this was true of any other kingdom. The gold speaks of the glory of God, which will indeed be supreme in the glorious high throne of the Lord Jesus in His kingdom.

The whiteness and smoothness of the ivory may show the perfection of Christ, without blemish or spot. Peter gives the same view when he speaks of Him as "without blemish or spot" (1 Peter 1:19).

So 12 lions stood on the steps, no doubt representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

The lion is described as "mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any" (Proverbs 30:30). This shows that the lion may be taken as a symbol of strength. In the same way the Lord is called the lion of the tribe of Judah. Attached to that name is the symbol of royalty, because Judah held the sceptre (Genesis 49:9-10; Revelation 5:5).

When Solomon was first made king, he had sat on his father's throne, as David himself had ordered (1 Kings 1:35). Now we see him on his own throne in this marvelous "house of the forest" adorned with six hundred shields of gold, where he judges in righteousness.

At present He is seated on His Father's throne, at His right hand, according to this word: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool" (Psalm 110:1). By these words God the Father expressed His complete satisfaction with the work the Son of Man accomplished. It is as though He were saying to Him: Take this supreme and glorious place, my Son, until I have prepared a throne for You. It must surpass every other throne. Never shall the like be made in any kingdom.

Solomon made a great throne of ivory, and Ahab made an ivory house, but the King of kings will have ivory palaces that will endure. The ivory throne of Solomon was never heard of again after it was built, and the ivory house of Ahab is only mentioned after he had died. But the ivory palaces of Christ will remain throughout the millennium. They will reflect the glory of the Great King, show the stability of His kingdom, and display the abundance of His resources.