Song of Solomon 3: Longing, Love, and a Luxurious Wedding
By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.
They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.
King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.
He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.
Song of Solomon 3 offers a glimpse into the passionate heart of love, both in its yearning and its triumphant celebration. The chapter moves from a dream-like search for the beloved to a majestic wedding procession, painting a vivid picture of desire, commitment, and the beauty of marriage.
The Night Search (Song of Solomon 3:1-5)
The first five verses reveal the woman's deep longing for her beloved. Restless and yearning, she dreams of searching for him in the night. "On my bed night after night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not" (Song of Solomon 3:1). This isn't just a casual desire; it's a profound connection of the soul, a yearning that disrupts her sleep and drives her to action. Her love is so strong that she ventures out into the city streets, determined to find him.
The watchmen patrolling the city encounter her, and she asks, "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?" (Song of Solomon 3:3). This illustrates the intensity of her devotion. She is single-minded in her pursuit. Finally, her search is rewarded. "Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house, into the chamber of her who conceived me" (Song of Solomon 3:4). This speaks to the desire for intimacy and integration into her life. She wants to bring him into the most intimate spaces of her world, symbolizing the complete union of marriage.
The section concludes with a familiar refrain: "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases" (Song of Solomon 3:5). This verse serves as a gentle warning, particularly to young women. It emphasizes the importance of patience and allowing love to blossom in its proper time and context, specifically within the boundaries of marriage. It's a call to avoid prematurely igniting passions that should be reserved for the sacred union of husband and wife. Single men and women, don’t play with fire. God created sex, but he means for us to delight in it within the covenant bonds of marriage. Avoid immorality so that you may honor your Creator and enjoy his gift as he intended.
The Royal Wedding Procession (Song of Solomon 3:6-11)
The scene shifts dramatically in the latter half of the chapter, transitioning from a private search to a public celebration. "What is that coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant powders of the merchant?" (Song of Solomon 3:6). This majestic question introduces the arrival of King Solomon in all his glory, heralding his wedding day.
The description is rich with imagery of luxury and splendor. The palanquin, a covered litter for transporting royalty, is described in detail: "Behold, it is the carriage of Solomon! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel" (Song of Solomon 3:7). The palanquin itself is crafted from the finest materials: "He made the carriage of wood from Lebanon. He made its posts of silver, its back of gold, its seat of purple; its interior was inlaid with love by the daughters of Jerusalem" (Song of Solomon 3:9-10). Every detail speaks of wealth, power, and the deep affection surrounding the king.
The chapter culminates with an invitation: "Go out, O daughters of Zion, and look upon King Solomon, with the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, on the day of the gladness of his heart" (Song of Solomon 3:11). This is a moment of public rejoicing, a celebration of the union between Solomon and his bride. "The day of his heart’s rejoicing has finally arrived: one man and one woman are coming together in holy matrimony" (Song of Solomon 3:11). The wedding is not just a personal event; it's a communal celebration, a reminder of the joy and blessing inherent in the covenant of marriage.
Song of Solomon 3 beautifully juxtaposes the private longing of love with the public celebration of marriage. It reminds us of the intensity of desire, the importance of patience, and the beauty of commitment. It offers a glimpse into the heart of love, both in its yearning and its ultimate fulfillment within the sacred bond of marriage.
By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.
They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.
King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.
He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.
Song of Solomon 3 offers a glimpse into the passionate heart of love, both in its yearning and its triumphant celebration. The chapter moves from a dream-like search for the beloved to a majestic wedding procession, painting a vivid picture of desire, commitment, and the beauty of marriage.
The Night Search (Song of Solomon 3:1-5)
The first five verses reveal the woman's deep longing for her beloved. Restless and yearning, she dreams of searching for him in the night. "On my bed night after night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not" (Song of Solomon 3:1). This isn't just a casual desire; it's a profound connection of the soul, a yearning that disrupts her sleep and drives her to action. Her love is so strong that she ventures out into the city streets, determined to find him.
The watchmen patrolling the city encounter her, and she asks, "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?" (Song of Solomon 3:3). This illustrates the intensity of her devotion. She is single-minded in her pursuit. Finally, her search is rewarded. "Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house, into the chamber of her who conceived me" (Song of Solomon 3:4). This speaks to the desire for intimacy and integration into her life. She wants to bring him into the most intimate spaces of her world, symbolizing the complete union of marriage.
The section concludes with a familiar refrain: "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases" (Song of Solomon 3:5). This verse serves as a gentle warning, particularly to young women. It emphasizes the importance of patience and allowing love to blossom in its proper time and context, specifically within the boundaries of marriage. It's a call to avoid prematurely igniting passions that should be reserved for the sacred union of husband and wife. Single men and women, don’t play with fire. God created sex, but he means for us to delight in it within the covenant bonds of marriage. Avoid immorality so that you may honor your Creator and enjoy his gift as he intended.
The Royal Wedding Procession (Song of Solomon 3:6-11)
The scene shifts dramatically in the latter half of the chapter, transitioning from a private search to a public celebration. "What is that coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant powders of the merchant?" (Song of Solomon 3:6). This majestic question introduces the arrival of King Solomon in all his glory, heralding his wedding day.
The description is rich with imagery of luxury and splendor. The palanquin, a covered litter for transporting royalty, is described in detail: "Behold, it is the carriage of Solomon! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel" (Song of Solomon 3:7). The palanquin itself is crafted from the finest materials: "He made the carriage of wood from Lebanon. He made its posts of silver, its back of gold, its seat of purple; its interior was inlaid with love by the daughters of Jerusalem" (Song of Solomon 3:9-10). Every detail speaks of wealth, power, and the deep affection surrounding the king.
The chapter culminates with an invitation: "Go out, O daughters of Zion, and look upon King Solomon, with the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, on the day of the gladness of his heart" (Song of Solomon 3:11). This is a moment of public rejoicing, a celebration of the union between Solomon and his bride. "The day of his heart’s rejoicing has finally arrived: one man and one woman are coming together in holy matrimony" (Song of Solomon 3:11). The wedding is not just a personal event; it's a communal celebration, a reminder of the joy and blessing inherent in the covenant of marriage.
Song of Solomon 3 beautifully juxtaposes the private longing of love with the public celebration of marriage. It reminds us of the intensity of desire, the importance of patience, and the beauty of commitment. It offers a glimpse into the heart of love, both in its yearning and its ultimate fulfillment within the sacred bond of marriage.