Throne Solomon

solomon @ throne, painting andreas brugger, 1777

solomon s throne described @ length in targum sheni, compiled 3 different sources, , in 2 later midrash. according these, there on steps of throne twelve golden lions, each facing golden eagle. there 6 steps throne, on animals, of gold, arranged in following order: on first step lion opposite ox; on second, wolf opposite sheep; on third, tiger opposite camel; on fourth, eagle opposite peacock, on fifth, cat opposite cock; on sixth, sparrow-hawk opposite dove. on top of throne dove holding sparrow-hawk in claws, symbolizing dominion of israel on gentiles. first midrash claims 6 steps constructed because solomon foresaw 6 kings sit on throne, namely, solomon, rehoboam, hezekiah, manasseh, amon, , josiah. there on top of throne golden candelabrum, on 7 branches of 1 side of engraved names of 7 patriarchs adam, noah, shem, abraham, isaac, jacob, , job, , on 7 of other names of levi, kohath, amram, moses, aaron, eldad, medad, and, in addition, hur (another version has haggai). above candelabrum golden jar filled olive-oil , beneath golden basin supplied jar oil , on names of nadab, abihu, , eli , 2 sons engraved. on throne, twenty-four vines fixed cast shadow on king s head.

by mechanical contrivance throne followed solomon wherever wished go. supposedly, due mechanical trick, when king reached first step, ox stretched forth leg, on solomon leaned, similar action taking place in case of animals on each of 6 steps. sixth step eagles raised king , placed him in seat, near golden serpent lay coiled. when king seated large eagle placed crown on head, serpent uncoiled itself, , lions , eagles moved upward form shade on him. dove descended, took scroll of law ark, , placed on solomon s knees. when king sat, surrounded sanhedrin, judge people, wheels began turn, , beasts , fowls began utter respective cries, frightened had intended bear false testimony. moreover, while solomon ascending throne, lions scattered kinds of fragrant spices. after solomon s death, pharaoh shishak, when taking away treasures of temple (i kings xiv. 26), carried off throne, remained in egypt until sennacherib conquered country. after sennacherib s fall hezekiah gained possession of it, when josiah slain pharaoh necho, latter took away. however, according rabbinical accounts, necho did not know how mechanism worked , accidentally struck himself 1 of lions causing him become lame; nebuchadnezzar, possession throne subsequently came, shared similar fate. throne passed persians, king darius first sit on solomon s throne after death; subsequently throne came possession of greeks , ahasuerus.