1 Kings 10:19 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 10:14-29

We have here a further account of Solomon's prosperity. I. How he increased his wealth. Though he had much, he still coveted to have more, being willing to try the utmost the things of this world could do to make men happy. 1. Besides the gold that came from Ophir (1 Kgs. 9:28), he brought so much into his country from other places that the whole amounted, every year, to 666 talents (1 Kgs. 10:14), an ominous number, compare Rev. 13:18; Ezra 2:13. 2. He received a great deal in customs from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 10:19

The throne had six steps ,.... Up to the footstool of the throne, which was of gold, 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" F17 ידת "manus", V. L. Montanus, &c.; αγκωνες "brachiola", Sept. in 2 Chron. ix. 18. , such as the arms... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 10:19

The throne was round behind : and there were stays on either side - This description seems to indicate that the throne was in the form of one of our ancient round-topped, two-armed chairs. This throne or chair of state was raised on a platform, the ascent to which consisted of six steps. What we call stays is in the Hebrew ידת yadoth , hands, which serves to confirm the conjecture above. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 10:14-29

The Decline and Fall of Solomon. The fall of Solomon, in itself one of the most portentous facts in Scripture history, is rendered doubly suggestive and admonitory by a consideration of the way in which it was brought about. It was not that he succumbed to some fierce onslaught of temptation; it was no terrible rush of passion—no sudden guilty love of "fair idolatresses," as some have held—wrought his ruin; on the contrary, his decline in piety was so gradual and slow as to be almost... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 10:19

The throne had six steps ["The characteristic feature in the royal throne was its elevation"; cf. Isaiah 6:1 ], and the top [Heb. head ] of the throne was round behind [same word Hebrews 7:23 , Hebrews 7:24 . Thenius and Bähr understand it of an arched or rounded canopy attached to the back; Keil supposes that the back was arched or rounded in form]: and there were stays [Heb. hands , i.e; arms] on either side on the place of the seat [see drawing of Assyrian throne... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 10:19

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 10:18-20

1 Kings 10:18-20. The king made a great throne of ivory We never read of ivory till about Solomon’s time; who, perhaps, brought elephants out of India, or at least took care to have a great deal of ivory imported from thence; for we read of ivory palaces Psalms 45:9, whose walls were overlaid with ivory; which was more precious than gold in ancient times, as Pliny tells us in many places. And overlaid it with the best gold Not entirely, so as to cover the ivory, for in that case it might... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 10:1-29

Click image for full-size version9:26-11:43 OTHER FEATURES OF SOLOMON’S REIGNTrade, fame and wealth (9:26-10:29)Always alert in business dealings, Solomon saw the opportunity for further profits by cooperating with Hiram in trade transport. Goods from the Mediterranean were received at Hiram’s port of Tyre, taken overland to the Israelite port of Ezion-geber at the northern tip of the Red Sea, then shipped east, possibly as far as India. Since the Israelites were not a seafaring people, Solomon... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 10:19

top = canopy. stays = supports. Literally hands. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 10:1-29

3. Solomon’s greatness ch. 10This chapter summarizes with illustrations and statistics the wisdom, acceptance, and riches with which God blessed Solomon. read more