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Song of Solomon 3

Song of Solomon 3 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Song of Solomon 3 moves from a nighttime search for the beloved to a vivid picture of Solomon arriving in royal splendor. The chapter highlights longing, joy in finding, and the care needed to wait for love at the right time.

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What happens in Song of Solomon 3?

The bride tells of searching for the one she loves in the dark and not finding him at first. She asks the city watchmen for help, then finally finds him and holds on to him. She urges the daughters of Jerusalem not to awaken love before it is ready. The scene then shifts to a royal procession: Solomon comes up from the wilderness with armed escorts, a decorated carriage, and a wedding crown. The chapter closes with an invitation to look at the king on the day of his wedding and joy.

This chapter sits near the middle of Song of Solomon, where the love poetry moves between searching, reunion, and celebration. It follows earlier verses of longing and leads into more images of desire, beauty, and covenant joy. The chapter balances private affection with public wedding splendor.

Themes to notice

  • Searching for loveThe bride's nighttime search shows desire, effort, and the pain of absence before reunion.
  • Love in its proper timeThe warning not to awaken love too soon points to patience and wisdom in relationships.
  • Wedding joy and honorSolomon's procession presents love with dignity, protection, and celebration.

Questions for Song of Solomon 3

  • What does the bride's search reveal about longing and persistence?
  • Why does the chapter warn against awakening love before the right time?
  • How does the wedding procession change the tone of the chapter?

Read the full text of Song of Solomon 3 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Song of Solomon 3

The Bride’s Dream

1On my bed at night

I sought the one I love;

I sought him,

but did not find him.

2I will arise now and go about the city,

through the streets and squares.

I will seek the one I love.

So I sought him but did not find him.

3I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city:

“Have you seen the one I love?”

4I had just passed them when I found the one I love.

I held him and would not let go

until I had brought him to my mother’s house,

to the chamber of the one who conceived me.

5O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you

by the gazelles and does of the field:

Do not arouse or awaken love

until the time is right.

Solomon Arrives on His Wedding Day

6Who is this coming up from the wilderness

like a column of smoke,

scented with myrrh and frankincense

from all the spices of the merchant?

7Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage,

escorted by sixty of the mightiest men of Israel.

8All are skilled with the sword,

experienced in warfare.

Each has his sword at his side

prepared for the terror of the night.

9King Solomon has made his carriage

out of the timber of Lebanon.

10He has made its posts of silver,

its base of gold, its seat of purple fabric.

Its interior is inlaid with love

by the daughters of Jerusalem.

11Come out, O daughters of Zion,

and gaze at King Solomon,

wearing the crown his mother bestowed

on the day of his wedding—

the day of his heart’s rejoicing.

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