Song of Solomon 3

The Shulamite recounts her nocturnal search for her beloved, whom she eventually finds and brings to her mother's home. She then charges the daughters of Jerusalem not to disturb their love. The chapter concludes with a majestic description of King Solomon's royal procession and his splendid chariot, inviting all to witness his crowned glory on his wedding day.

The chapter opens with the Shulamite recounting her anxious search for her beloved during the night. She rises from her bed and traverses the city streets, seeking him whom her soul loveth, but initially finds him not. Encountering the watchmen, she inquires about him, and shortly after passing them, she finds her beloved. She holds him fast and brings him to her mother's house, a place of intimacy and origin. Following this reunion, she issues a solemn charge to the daughters of Jerusalem, adjuring them by the wild creatures not to awaken her love prematurely. The scene then shifts dramatically to a grand public spectacle, describing one ascending from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with precious spices. This is identified as King Solomon's royal bed or chariot, guarded by sixty valiant men of Israel, armed and expert in war. The chariot itself is elaborately crafted from Lebanon wood, adorned with silver, gold, and purple, its interior paved with love. The chapter concludes with an invitation to the daughters of Zion to behold King Solomon wearing the crown bestowed by his mother on his wedding day, a day of great joy.

The third chapter of the Song of Solomon begins with the Shulamite's poignant narrative of a nocturnal quest for her beloved. Lying upon her bed, she sought him whom her soul loveth, but her initial efforts proved fruitless. Driven by her longing, she resolved to rise and search the city's streets and broad ways, yet still, he eluded her. She then encountered the watchmen who patrol the city, to whom she directly posed the question of her beloved's whereabouts. It was only a brief moment after leaving their presence that she finally found him whom her soul loveth. Upon finding him, she held him securely, refusing to release him until she had brought him into her mother's house, specifically into the chamber where she was conceived, signifying a place of deep intimacy and security. Following this intensely personal reunion, the Shulamite addresses the daughters of Jerusalem with a solemn adjuration. She charges them by the roes and hinds of the field not to disturb or awaken her love until he himself pleases, a recurring theme emphasizing the natural and unforced nature of true affection. The narrative then shifts abruptly to a public scene of grandeur and majesty. A question is posed, "Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke?" This figure is described as being perfumed with myrrh, frankincense, and various merchant's powders, indicating great wealth and importance. The text then focuses on King Solomon's royal bed or palanquin, which is surrounded by sixty valiant men of Israel, all expert warriors bearing swords for protection against night fears. Solomon is depicted as having made himself a magnificent chariot from the wood of Lebanon, with pillars of silver, a bottom of gold, and a covering of purple. Intriguingly, the midst of it is described as being "paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem." The chapter culminates with an exhortation to the daughters of Zion to go forth and behold King Solomon. They are invited to witness him adorned with the crown his mother placed upon his head on the day of his espousals, which is also described as the day of the gladness of his heart, celebrating his union and joy.