Song of Solomon 3:1
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On my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The bride mentions the absence of her spouse, her search after him, and her ultimate success, Sol 3:1-5. A description of the bridegroom, his bed, chariot, etc., Sol 3:6-11.
Open source ↗By night--literally, "By nights." Continuation of the longing for the dawn of the Messiah (Sol 2:17; Psa 130:6; Mal 4:2). The spiritual desertion here (Sol 2:17; Sol 3:5) is not due to indifference, as in Sol 5:2-8. "As nights and dews are better for flowers than a continual sun, so Christ's absence (at times) giveth sap to humility, and putteth an edge on hunger, and furnisheth a fair field to faith to put forth itself" [RUTHERFORD]. Contrast Sol 1:13; Psa 30:6-7. on . . . bed--the secret of her failure (Isa 64:7; Jer 29:13; Amo 6:1, Amo 6:4; Hos 7:14). loveth--no want of sincerity, but of diligence, which she now makes up for by leaving her bed to seek Him (Psa 22:2; Psa 63:8; Isa 26:9; Joh 20:17). Four times (Sol 3:1-4) she calls Jesus Christ, "Him whom my soul loveth," designating Him as absent; language of desire: "He loved me," would be language of present fruition (Rev 1:5). In questioning the watchmen (Sol 3:3), she does not even name Him, so full is her heart of Him. Having found Him at dawn (for throughout He is the morning), she charges the daughters not to abridge by intrusion the period of His stay. Compare as to the thoughtful seeking for Jesus Christ in the time of John the Baptist, in vain at first, but presently after successful (Luk 3:15-22; John 1:19-34). found him not--Oh, for such honest dealings with ourselves (Pro 25:14; Jde 1:12)!
Open source ↗INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 3 In this chapter an account is given of an adventure of the church, in quest of her beloved; of the time when, and places where, and the persons of whom she sought him; and of her success upon the whole; with a charge she give to the daughters of Jerusalem, Sol 3:1; by whom she is commended, Sol 3:6; and then Christ, her beloved, is described by her; by his bed, and the guard about it, Sol 3:7; by the chariot he rode in, Sol 3:9; and by the crown he wore on his coronation day, Sol 3:11.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
Tell me, O one I love, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest them at midday? Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions?
I opened for my beloved, but he had turned and gone. My heart sank at his departure. I sought him, but did not find him. I called, but he did not answer.
My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest.
O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you, if you find my beloved, tell him I am sick with love.
I am weary from groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah