It is certainly neither a shield (see Alberto R. W. Green, “Solomon and Siamun: a Synchronism between Early Dynastic Israel and Twenty-first Dynasty Egypt,” Journal of Biblical Literature 97 [1978], pp. 364–365; H. Darrell Lance, “Solomon, Siamun and the Double-Ax,” in Frank Moore Cross, et al, eds., Magnolia Dei … in Memory of G. Ernest Wright [New York: Doubleday, 1976], pp. 213–124, 220, notes 33–37) nor a halter, nor a set of handcuffs (see Paul S. Ash, David, Solomon and Egypt, a Reassessment [Sheffield, U.K.: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999], pp. 41 and 45), which were ovals with a central slot! The foe grasps the ax at its socket, from which protrudes a (wooden) handle, possibly shown broken at a shallow angle, so that (magically) he and it could not harm the king.