Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

Albert Garner - J.C. Howes

Song of Solomon 3

Verses 1–5

SONG OF SOLOMON CHAPTER THREE

A DREAM SEQUENCE

Verses 1-5 are thought to be a dream sequence of the Shulamite in which she views herself as already married to the beloved shepherd and awakens in the night to find him missing from their bed. She goes about the city seeking him but finds him not. She inquires of the watchmen but they have not seen him. Soon thereafter, she finds him and brings him into her mother’s house, charging the daughters of Jerusalem, as in Song of Solomon 2:7, that they not awake him until he pleases. The reference to her mother’s house suggests Shunem as the city in her dream.

Verses 6–11

A ROYAL PROCESSION

Verses 6-8 introduces an abrupt change in the song, describing a royal procession coming into Jerusalem from the wilderness. It is attended by the royal 60-man body-guard of Solomon. There is a litter identified as Solomon’s bed, but the inquiry in Vs. 6 asking who comes is in feminine form, indicating the occupant is a woman.

Verses 9-10 reveal that Solomon occupies a separate conveyance constructed of fine wood, with silver, gold and a purple covering, evidences of royalty.

Verse 11 explains this as related to the day of King Solomon’s espousals. It appears that this event is the earlier bringing of the Shulamite maid to Jerusalem with the intent of inducing her to become the consort of Solomon. It precedes Parts I and II in sequence of time.