Song of Solomon 3:1-11
1 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
2 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.
3 The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
4 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.
5 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.
6 Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
7 Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.
8 They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.
9 King Solomon made himself a chariota of the wood of Lebanon.
10 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.
11 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 3:7. Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; the palace where he sleeps, and where so many treasures of gold and works of art are preserved. Threescore valiant men are about it. His bodyguard, mounted daily, and composed of the finest looking men that the nation could boast. The person of a king is sacred, his safety involves the safety of a nation; his person therefore must be guarded with all precaution, and proper defence.
REFLECTIONS.
The feelings of the heart during the absence of the object of its attachment are the purest evidence how much and how sincerely we love. Here the church discovers her love to Christ by seeking him in solitude. Whether prostrate at the throne of grace, or reposing on her bed, she sighed for her Lord's return. She sought him in the dark, and was exposed to insult in the street. Our love is of no account, if it does not surmount difficulties in seeking the divine favour. She sought him with perseverance, both in the open way and narrow streets. She found him not, for awhile; but when she did find him, she brought him to her mother's house. And as this could not be true of Pharaoh's daughter, it is very obvious that Solomon must speak here of a soul that seeks the favour of God. Hence we are instructed to seek the Lord with all our heart, and to be discouraged by no difficulties, for his lovingkindness is better than life.
We see next the church coming up out of the wilderness, leaning on her beloved. We have in all this desert land nothing to lean upon but the words of Christ, and we need no other arm. Here we have love, comfort and defence. Here we have honour, glory and triumph.
A cloudy pillar of myrrh and frankincense ascends from her altar. This is the devotion of the church; this is prayer and praise, comprising all the exercises of faith and love. These are the unceasing sacrifices which the saints present to God.
The church next makes a transition from the wilderness to the royal city and palace of God. She enters into Solomon's chariot of state, she enters the splendid mansions of the house of Lebanon, she is surrounded with valiant men, with hosts of angels, which watch for her safety with unceasing delight. Thus JEHOVAH Jesus, though crowned with thorns on earth, is crowned in the day of his espousals with garlands of unfading beauty and delight; for the bringing of many sons to glory is to him a crown of rejoicing, an honour which fadeth not away.