Albert Barnes Commentary Song Of Solomon 3:6-11

"Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant? Behold, it is the litter of Solomon; Threescore mighty men are about it, Of the mighty men of Israel. They all handle the sword, [and] are expert in war: Every man hath his sword upon his thigh, Because of fear in the night. King Solomon made himself a palanquin Of the wood of Lebanon. He made the pillars thereof of silver, The bottom thereof of gold, the seat of it of purple, The midst thereof being paved with love, From the daughters of Jerusalem. Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon, With the crown wherewith his mother hath crowned him In the day of his espousals, And in the day of the gladness of his heart." — Song Of Solomon 3:6-11 (ASV)

The principal and central action of the Song is the bride’s entry into the city of David and her marriage there with the king. Jewish interpreters view this part of the poem as symbolizing the first entrance of the Old Testament Church into the promised land, representing her spiritual marriage and communion with the King of kings through the construction of Solomon’s Temple and the institution of its acceptable worship. In a similar spirit, Christian fathers relate most of this section to the marriage of the Church with Christ in His passion and resurrection, or to the communion of Christian souls with Him as they meditate on these events.

Song of Solomon 3:6–11

Two or more citizens of Jerusalem, or the chorus of young men who are companions of the bridegroom, describe the magnificent appearance of the bride being carried in a royal litter, followed by the king in festive joy, wearing a nuptial crown.

Song of Solomon 3:6

The "wilderness" here refers to pasture-land, in contrast with the cultivated districts and garden enclosures around the city (Joel 2:22; Isaiah 42:11; Psalms 65:12). Pillars of smoke is an image of delight and pleasure. Frankincense and other perfumes are burned in such abundance around the bridal entourage that, from a distance, the entire procession appears to be one of moving wreaths and columns of smoke. All powders of the merchant refers to every kind of spice that is an article of commerce.

Song of Solomon 3:7

Bed - This is probably the royal litter, or palanquin, in which the bride is carried. She is surrounded by the king's own bodyguard, consisting of sixty of the mightiest men of Israel.

Song of Solomon 3:8

Because of fear in the night - This means the guards are for protection against nighttime alarms .

Song of Solomon 3:9–10

King Solomon has made for himself a stately carriage from the woods of Lebanon. The Hebrew word translated here as “bed” appears nowhere else in Scripture, and its etymology and meaning are uncertain. It may refer to either:

1. the bride’s carriage or litter; or
2. a more magnificent vehicle provided for her reception as she enters the city, in which the king perhaps goes out to meet her.

This carriage was made under Solomon’s own direction from the costliest woods of Lebanon (cedar and pine). It is furnished with pillars of silver supporting a baldachin or canopy of gold (the word is not “bottom” as in the King James Version), and with a seat of purple (not “covering”).

Its interior is paved with love from the daughters of Jerusalem (note the preposition is “from,” not “for”). This means that this part of the adornment is a gift of love, by which the female chorus has shown their goodwill toward the bride and their desire to please the king.

Song of Solomon 3:11

Daughters of Zion - They are called this here to distinguish them from the bride’s companions, whom she always addresses as “daughters of Jerusalem.” His mother - This refers to Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:11), and this is the last time she is mentioned in sacred history.