Albert Barnes Commentary Song Of Solomon 6:11-12

"I went down into the garden of nuts, To see the green plants of the valley, To see whether the vine budded, [And] the pomegranates were in flower. Before I was aware, my soul set me [Among] the chariots of my princely people." — Song Of Solomon 6:11-12 (ASV)

The bride’s words may be paraphrased: “You speak of me as a glorious beauty, but I was recently just a simple maiden engaged in rural work. I went down one day into the walnut garden (the walnut tree was abundant on the shores of Lake Gennesaret and is still common in Northern Palestine) to inspect the young plants of the valley (that is, the wady, or watercourse, with its banks now green in the early spring after the rainy season) and to watch the budding and blossoming of the vine and pomegranate (compare the notes on Song of Solomon 2:11–13). Then, suddenly, before I was even aware, my soul—my love-bound heart—had made me like the chariot of a princely people.” This phrase refers to an exalted person who lives in the high places of the earth (compare 2 Kings 2:12; 2 Kings 13:14, where Elijah and Elisha, as the spiritual leaders of the nation, are called the chariot and horsemen of Israel). This last clause is another example of the writer of the Song's fondness for military comparisons.

Ammi-nadib—literally, “my people, a noble one.” The reference is either to Israel at large as a wealthy and dominant nation under Solomon, or to the bride’s people (the Shulamites) in particular. By her union with the king, she is now exalted to the chief place among them.