God Keeps His Promises - Even for Worldly Things -

2 Chronicles 9:18-20 (ESV)

The throne had six steps and a footstool of gold, which were attached to the throne, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests, while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. Nothing like it was ever made for any kingdom. 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. Silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon.

This section starts with Solomon finishing the glory of the Temple where God would be worshiped and ends with the glory of his own palace where he would be worshipped.  In fact that is what began to happen.  With God’s blessing, notice how Solomon was treated among men.  This statement is from the Queen of Sheba who came to meet Solomon:

2 Chronicles 9:7-9 (ESV)

Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the LORD your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There were no spices such as those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

When we go back and now read about the palace steps and the lions on each side of the steps, we can see the splendor God bestowed upon Solomon.   People sang his praises. God has so blessed him with wisdom and material blessings, he has something created that no kingdom had ever seen.  Since then every kingdom would create this scene.   But God established it with Solomon first.  God is not wanting us to live in squalor, but we might if He so deems.  In this case, the promise from God to Solomon was that since he chose wisdom over riches, he would have both.  The twelve lions on six steps is just God keeping His word.