Song of Solomon 3
BSBThe Bride’s Dream
1On my bed at night
I sought the one I love;
I sought him,
but did not find him.
2I will arise now and go about the city,
through the streets and squares.
I will seek the one I love.
So I sought him but did not find him.
3I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city:
“Have you seen the one I love?”
4I had just passed them when I found the one I love.
I held him and would not let go
until I had brought him to my mother’s house,
to the chamber of the one who conceived me.
5O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you
by the gazelles and does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until the time is right.
Solomon Arrives on His Wedding Day
6Who is this coming up from the wilderness
like a column of smoke,
scented with myrrh and frankincense
from all the spices of the merchant?
7Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage,a
escorted by sixty of the mightiest men of Israel.
8All are skilled with the sword,
experienced in warfare.
Each has his sword at his side
prepared for the terror of the night.
9King Solomon has made his carriage
out of the timber of Lebanon.
10He has made its posts of silver,
its base of gold, its seat of purple fabric.
Its interior is inlaid with love
by the daughters of Jerusalem.
11Come out, O daughters of Zion,
and gaze at King Solomon,
wearing the crown with which his mother crowned him
on the day of his wedding—
the day of his heart’s rejoicing.
Footnotes
7a That is, the couch on which servants carry a king
Study Notes — Song of Solomon 3
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Song of Solomon 3
- Themes from Song of Solomon 3
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Song of Solomon 3
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The chapter begins with the bride's expression of her longing for her beloved, stating that she has sought him on her bed by night but did not find him (Song of Solomon 3:1). She then rises and searches for him in the city, until she finds him and brings him to her mother's house (Song of Solomon 3:2-4). The chapter transitions to a description of Solomon's litter, symbolizing the grandeur and beauty of the beloved (Song of Solomon 3:6-11). The bride exhorts the daughters of Jerusalem not to stir up or awaken love until it is ready (Song of Solomon 3:5), emphasizing the importance of timing and readiness in love and relationships. Throughout the chapter, the language is rich with imagery and symbolism, painting a vivid picture of love, desire, and the deep connection between the bride and her beloved.
Context for the Chapter
This chapter is part of the larger narrative of the Song of Solomon, which explores the relationship between the bride and her beloved. The book is a collection of poetic songs and dialogues that celebrate the beauty and joy of love, using the metaphor of human relationships to describe the believer's relationship with God. The chapter's themes and imagery are rooted in the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, but its message and symbolism transcend time and culture, speaking to universal human experiences and desires.
Heart Application
As believers, we are called to pursue a deep and intimate relationship with Christ, our beloved. This chapter reminds us of the importance of actively seeking God, being patient and ready for His timing, and embracing the beauty and joy of our relationship with Him. May we be inspired to cultivate a deeper longing for Christ and to trust in His love and care for us.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter of the Song of Solomon is about a woman who loves a man and is searching for him. She wants to be with him and is happy when she finds him. This story can help us think about how much God loves us and how we can love Him back. The woman's search for the man is like our search for God, and the happiness they feel when they are together is like the joy we feel when we are close to God (Song of Solomon 3:1-4).
Voices from the Church
“The Song of Solomon is a book of loves, and the love of which it sings is of the noblest and purest kind - a love which has for its object the Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The bride's search for her beloved is a figure of the soul's search for God, and the joy of their reunion is a symbol of the bliss of the believer's union with Christ.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Bride's Search for Her Beloved (3:1-5) — The bride rises and searches for her beloved in the city, until she finds him and brings him to her mother's house.
- The Description of Solomon's Litter (3:6-11) — The chapter describes the grandeur and beauty of Solomon's litter, symbolizing the majesty and glory of the beloved.
- The Bride's Exhortation to the Daughters of Jerusalem (3:5) — The bride warns the daughters of Jerusalem not to stir up or awaken love until it is ready, emphasizing the importance of patience and readiness in relationships.
- The Bride's Longing for Her Beloved (3:1-4) — The bride expresses her deep longing for her beloved, highlighting the intensity of her emotions and the depth of her desire.
- The Joy of the Bride and Her Beloved (3:4) — The bride and her beloved are reunited, and they experience great joy and happiness together.
Core Doctrines
- The Doctrine of God's Love
- This chapter highlights the depth and intensity of God's love for His people, using the metaphor of human relationships to describe the believer's relationship with God.
- The Doctrine of Sanctification
- The bride's pursuit of her beloved can be seen as a model for the believer's pursuit of holiness and sanctification, as they seek to deepen their relationship with God.
- The Doctrine of the Church as the Bride of Christ
- The chapter's imagery and symbolism can be applied to the church as the bride of Christ, emphasizing the importance of the church's relationship with her beloved and the joy of their union.
- The Doctrine of Eternal Security
- The bride's confidence in her beloved's love and care for her can be seen as a symbol of the believer's eternal security in Christ, who loves and cares for them forever.
Lessons from Song of Solomon 3
- The Importance of Pursuing God — The bride's search for her beloved serves as a model for the believer's pursuit of God, highlighting the importance of actively seeking a deeper relationship with Him.
- The Value of Patience and Readiness — The bride's warning to the daughters of Jerusalem emphasizes the importance of patience and readiness in relationships, both human and divine.
- The Beauty of God's Love — The chapter's imagery and symbolism reveal the beauty and majesty of God's love for His people, inspiring believers to cultivate a deeper appreciation for His love and care.
- The Joy of Union with Christ — The bride and her beloved's reunion serves as a symbol of the believer's union with Christ, highlighting the joy and happiness that comes from being in a deep and intimate relationship with Him.
- The Importance of Trusting in God's Love — The bride's confidence in her beloved's love and care for her can be seen as a model for the believer's trust in God's love and care, inspiring them to have faith in His goodness and provision.
Themes from Song of Solomon 3
- Love and Desire — The chapter explores the themes of love and desire, highlighting the intensity of the bride's emotions for her beloved and the depth of their relationship.
- Longing and Searching — The bride's search for her beloved serves as a powerful metaphor for the believer's search for God, emphasizing the importance of actively pursuing a deeper relationship with Him.
- Joy and Happiness — The chapter's imagery and symbolism reveal the joy and happiness that comes from being in a deep and intimate relationship with God, inspiring believers to cultivate a deeper appreciation for His love and care.
- Protection and Care — The beloved's care and protection for the bride serve as a symbol of God's love and care for His people, emphasizing the importance of trusting in His goodness and provision.
- Eternal Security — The bride's confidence in her beloved's love and care for her can be seen as a symbol of the believer's eternal security in Christ, who loves and cares for them forever.
Questions for Meditation
- What does the bride's search for her beloved reveal about her character and her relationship with him?
- How does the description of Solomon's litter contribute to the overall theme of the chapter?
- What warning does the bride give to the daughters of Jerusalem, and what does it reveal about the importance of timing and readiness in relationships?
- How can the believer apply the principles of the bride's search for her beloved to their own pursuit of God?
- What does the chapter reveal about the nature of God's love for His people, and how can believers respond to that love?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Bride's Search for Her Beloved (3:1-5)
| 3:1 | The bride expresses her deep longing for her beloved, stating that she has sought him on her bed by night but did not find him. |
| 3:2 | The bride rises and searches for her beloved in the city, until she finds him and brings him to her mother's house. |
| 3:3 | The bride encounters the watchmen, who ask if she has seen her beloved, and she tells them that she is searching for him. |
| 3:4 | The bride finds her beloved and brings him to her mother's house, where they are reunited in love and joy. |
| 3:5 | The bride warns the daughters of Jerusalem not to stir up or awaken love until it is ready, emphasizing the importance of patience and readiness in relationships. |
2. The Description of Solomon's Litter (3:6-11)
| 3:6 | The chapter describes the grandeur and beauty of Solomon's litter, symbolizing the majesty and glory of the beloved. |
| 3:7 | The litter is described as being covered with purple, and the inside is paved with love by the daughters of Jerusalem. |
| 3:8 | The litter has sixty mighty men of the mighty men of Israel, each with his sword at his side, because of fear in the night. |
| 3:9 | King Solomon made himself a palanquin of the wood of Lebanon. |
| 3:10 | He made its posts of silver, its back of gold, and its seat of purple; and its interior was lovingly wrought by the daughters of Jerusalem. |
| 3:11 | Go forth, O daughters of Zion, and gaze on King Solomon, with the crown with which his mother has crowned him on the day of his wedding, and on the day of his heart's joy. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Song of Solomon 3?
The main theme of Song of Solomon 3 is the bride's search for her beloved and their joyful reunion, which serves as a metaphor for the believer's relationship with God. The chapter explores themes of love, desire, and the importance of timing and readiness in relationships (Song of Solomon 3:1-5).
What does the description of Solomon's litter symbolize?
The description of Solomon's litter symbolizes the majesty and glory of the beloved, reflecting the beauty and grandeur of God's love for His people. The litter's grandeur and beauty serve as a reminder of the importance of reverence and awe in the believer's relationship with God (Song of Solomon 3:6-11).
What warning does the bride give to the daughters of Jerusalem?
The bride warns the daughters of Jerusalem not to stir up or awaken love until it is ready, emphasizing the importance of patience and readiness in relationships. This warning can be applied to the believer's pursuit of God, highlighting the need to be prepared and ready for a deeper relationship with Him (Song of Solomon 3:5).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Song of Solomon 3:1 → Psalm 63:1 | The bride's search for her beloved is reminiscent of David's search for God in the wilderness, highlighting the importance of seeking God with all one's heart. |
| 2 | Song of Solomon 3:5 → 1 Thessalonians 5:23 | The bride's warning to the daughters of Jerusalem not to stir up love until it is ready is similar to Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians to be blameless and holy, emphasizing the importance of patience and readiness in relationships. |
| 3 | Song of Solomon 3:6 → Isaiah 60:1 | The description of Solomon's litter is similar to the description of the glory of God in Isaiah 60:1, highlighting the majesty and glory of God's love for His people. |
| 4 | Song of Solomon 3:9 → 1 Kings 10:18 | The description of Solomon's litter is similar to the description of the throne that Solomon made for himself in 1 Kings 10:18, highlighting the grandeur and beauty of the beloved. |
| 5 | Song of Solomon 3:10 → Ephesians 5:25-27 | The description of the litter's interior is similar to Paul's description of Christ's love for the church in Ephesians 5:25-27, highlighting the importance of love and care in relationships. |
| 6 | Song of Solomon 3:11 → Revelation 19:7 | The description of the crown that Solomon's mother made for him is similar to the description of the crown that the bride of Christ will wear in Revelation 19:7, highlighting the importance of the believer's relationship with Christ. |
| 7 | Song of Solomon 3:1-4 → John 4:14 | The bride's search for her beloved is reminiscent of the woman at the well's search for living water, highlighting the importance of seeking spiritual nourishment and satisfaction. |
| 8 | Song of Solomon 3:5 → Proverbs 27:1 | The bride's warning to the daughters of Jerusalem is similar to the warning in Proverbs 27:1, emphasizing the importance of patience and readiness in relationships. |
| 9 | Song of Solomon 3:6-11 → Isaiah 62:3 | The description of Solomon's litter is similar to the description of the crown of glory that God will give to His people in Isaiah 62:3, highlighting the importance of reverence and awe in the believer's relationship with God. |
| 10 | Song of Solomon 3:1-11 → Ephesians 5:31-33 | The chapter's themes of love, desire, and the importance of timing and readiness in relationships are similar to Paul's discussion of marriage and the relationship between Christ and the church in Ephesians 5:31-33, highlighting the importance of love and care in relationships. |
Sermons on Song of Solomon 3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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15 Revelation of Jesus' Safe Leadership (Song 3:6-11) by Mike Bickle | Mike Bickle emphasizes the revelation of Jesus as a safe leader, drawing from Song of Solomon 3:6-11. He describes Jesus emerging from the wilderness, symbolizing His victory over |
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14 God's Loving Discipline (Song 3:1-5) by Mike Bickle | Mike Bickle discusses God's loving discipline as depicted in Song of Solomon 3:1-5, emphasizing the relationship between the Shulamite maiden and King Solomon as a metaphor for the |
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God's Loving Discipline and Safe Leadership by Mike Bickle | Mike Bickle emphasizes God's loving discipline and safe leadership in the context of the Song of Solomon, illustrating how the bride's journey reflects our own spiritual growth. He |
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Love - the Basis of All God's Dealings With Man by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes that the foundation of our love for God is rooted in His unchanging love for us, as stated in 1 John 4:19. He explains that God's intention for humanity was t |
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God's Unchanging Love by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes that the foundation of Christian faith is rooted in God's unchanging love for humanity, as demonstrated throughout the history of Israel and illustrated throu |
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Have You Seen the One My Heart Loves? by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound sorrow that accompanies the loss of God's gracious presence, illustrating that this loss is the most significant and embittering of all. He re |
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Confessing Our Love by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer reflects on the profound love depicted in the Song of Solomon, illustrating the relationship between the beautiful young woman and her shepherd, which symbolizes the lov |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Song of Solomon 3
In this chapter, we see the bride's ardent affection for her beloved, and her diligent search for him. She rises and seeks him, and, having found him, brings him to her mother's house. The description of Solomon's litter, with its grandeur and beauty, serves as a symbol of the majesty and glory of God's love for His people. The bride's warning to the daughters of Jerusalem not to stir up love until it is ready emphasizes the importance of patience and readiness in relationships. As believers, we are called to pursue a deep and intimate relationship with Christ, our beloved, and to trust in His love and care for us. May we be inspired by the bride's example to cultivate a deeper longing for Christ and to seek Him with all our hearts. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Bride's Initiative
The bride takes the initiative in searching for her beloved, demonstrating her proactive pursuit of love and relationship. This can be seen as a model for the believer's pursuit of God.
The Importance of Timing
The warning not to stir up love until it is ready (Song of Solomon 3:5) highlights the importance of patience and readiness in relationships, both human and divine.
The Use of Imagery
The chapter is rich with vivid imagery and symbolism, painting a powerful picture of love, desire, and the deep connection between the bride and her beloved.