May 19
Reading: Song of Solomon 3
1 On my bed by night I sought him
whom my soul loves;
I sought him, but found him not.
2 I will rise now and go about the city,
in the streets and in the squares;
I will seek him whom my soul loves.
I sought him, but found him not.
3 The watchmen found me as they went about in the city.
“Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”
4 Scarcely had I passed them
when I found him whom my soul loves.
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 who conceived me.
5 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles or the does of the field,
that you not stir up or awaken love
until it pleases.
6 What is that coming up from the wilderness
like columns of smoke,
perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,
with all the fragrant powders of a merchant?
7 Behold, it is the litter of Solomon!
Around it are sixty mighty men,
some of the mighty men of Israel,
8 all of them wearing swords
and expert in war,
each with his sword at his thigh,
against terror by night.
9 King Solomon made himself a carriage
from the wood of Lebanon.
10 He made its posts of silver,
its back of gold,
its seat of purple;
its interior was inlaid with love
by the daughters of Jerusalem.
11 Go out, O daughters of Zion,
and look upon King Solomon,
with the crown with which his mother crowned him
on the day of his wedding,
on the day of the gladness of his heart.
This is a love song. One might imagine that in chapter 1 the lovers meet and admire one another. In chapter 2 his sweet words capture her heart, and she is in love. Chapter 3 is filled with longing before the wedding day.
In verses 1-5 we find that everywhere she goes she thinks about him. In verse 5 she asks the ladies of the city not to ask her about him so as not to make the waiting more difficult.
Then she sees the wedding procession approaching. (vss. 6-11) She is overwhelmed with excitement and directs the attention of all to look and see. (vs. 11) Notice, in her words, the nature of the procession. It is extravagant! Solomon’s approach to his bride is designed to impress her.
There are some lessons here about love found in the words of this love-struck and enthusiastic bride. First, her love is focused upon him and not herself. Second, she has committed herself to him. Third, she displays self-control. Fourth, she is proud of him and full of admiration.
We find all these lessons of love in her words. They are an example to us on how to love the one we are or will be married to. They also show us how we ought to respond to our bridegroom Jesus Christ. He has picked us out to be His. We await the great wedding day.