Song Of Solomon 3:11

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.

Go forth {H3318}, O ye daughters {H1323} of Zion {H6726}, and behold {H7200} king {H4428} Solomon {H8010} with the crown {H5850} wherewith his mother {H517} crowned {H5849} him in the day {H3117} of his espousals {H2861}, and in the day {H3117} of the gladness {H8057} of his heart {H3820}.

Daughters of Tziyon, come out, and gaze upon King Shlomo, wearing the crown with which his mother crowned him on his wedding day, his day of joy!

Come 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.

Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon, With the crown wherewith his mother hath crowned him In the day of his espousals, And in the day of the gladness of his heart.

Song of Solomon 3:11 is a vibrant invitation to witness a grand and joyous occasion: the wedding day of King Solomon, marked by his crowning by his mother. This verse serves as the culmination of a vivid description of a majestic royal procession, drawing the attention of the populace to the king's splendor and personal happiness.

Context

This verse concludes a section (Song of Solomon 3:6-11) that describes a magnificent procession, likely the royal palanquin or sedan chair of King Solomon, emerging from the wilderness. The scene is one of security and grandeur, guarded by sixty mighty men. Verse 11 then issues an excited command to the "daughters of Zion" (the female inhabitants of Jerusalem) to come out and behold their king. The focus is on King Solomon in his full royal attire, specifically with the crown bestowed upon him by his mother, celebrating the most significant day of his life – his wedding, or "espousals." This highlights a public, joyous celebration of a pivotal royal event, emphasizing pomp, splendor, and communal festivity within ancient Israelite culture.

Key Themes

  • Royal Splendor and Celebration: The verse paints a picture of King Solomon in his full majesty, adorned with his crown on a day of immense personal and public joy. It's a scene of grand celebration, inviting everyone to share in the king's happiness and admire his glory.
  • The Significance of Espousals and Marriage: The "day of his espousals" (his wedding day) is the central event, signifying a covenantal union, a new beginning, and a profound cause for gladness. This emphasizes the importance, joy, and sanctity of marriage as a divinely ordained institution.
  • Maternal Blessing and Honor: The detail that his mother crowned him adds a deeply personal and significant touch to the royal ceremony. It suggests a blessing, honor, and perhaps a public acknowledgment of his new status, imbued with familial love and tradition. This act underscores the honor due to a king and the role of family in such momentous occasions.
  • Invitation to Witness Joy: The imperative "Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold..." is an active invitation. It highlights the public nature of the celebration and encourages communal participation in the king's happiness, fostering a sense of shared joy and national pride.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "espousals" is k'lullot (כְּלֻלּוֹת), which specifically refers to the wedding day or the marriage ceremony itself, emphasizing the definitive act of union and the accompanying festivities. It signifies the completion of the betrothal period and the commencement of married life. The phrase "gladness of his heart" (שִׂמְחַת לִבּוֹ - *simchat libbo*) conveys a deep, authentic joy that emanates from within, directly tied to the culmination of his marital union. This is not merely an outward display but an expression of profound inner contentment and delight.

Related Scriptures

While this verse describes King Solomon's literal wedding, the Song of Solomon is often interpreted allegorically as a representation of the love between God and Israel, or more commonly, between Christ and His Church. The image of the King being presented to his people, crowned and full of joy for his bride, powerfully resonates with the ultimate marriage supper of the Lamb described in Revelation, where Christ, the heavenly Bridegroom, unites with His Church. Just as King Solomon's wisdom and glory were renowned throughout the ancient world (1 Kings 10:23), Christ's glory far surpasses any earthly king's. This verse can be seen as a foreshadowing of the joy of the Bridegroom in the presence of His bride, the Church, and the profound joy believers will experience in their eternal union with Him.

Practical Application

This verse, whether interpreted literally as a celebration of human love and marriage or allegorically as a picture of divine love, speaks to the beauty and significance of covenantal relationships and the profound joy that accompanies them. For believers, it serves as a beautiful reminder of Christ, our King, and His unwavering love and commitment to His Church. We are invited to "go forth" and behold His glory, not merely as spectators but as those who are part of His beloved bride. It encourages us to anticipate with gladness the ultimate celebration of our eternal union with Him. Furthermore, it reminds us to honor and celebrate significant life events, particularly marriage, with gladness and recognition of their sacred nature as blessings from God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 62:5

    For [as] a young man marrieth a virgin, [so] shall thy sons marry thee: and [as] the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, [so] shall thy God rejoice over thee.

  • Jeremiah 2:2

    Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land [that was] not sown.

  • Hosea 2:19

    And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.

  • Hosea 2:20

    I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

  • Hebrews 13:13

    Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

  • Psalms 9:14

    That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

  • Revelation 1:7

    Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
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