Bible Strands
Song of Solomon 3:7
Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty of the mightiest men of Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator describes a procession emerging from the wilderness, focusing on Solomon’s litter as it moves through the scene. This description follows the woman’s ascent from the wilderness and precedes the detail of the armed escort.
The words — הִנֵּ֗ה (hi.Neh) translates literally as “behold” or “there!”, and מִטָּתוֹ (mi.tato) means “his bed” or “litter.” These terms anchor the visual focus on a royal conveyance rather than a literal bed.
The thread — The mention of sixty mighty men and their martial readiness parallels the royal and military contexts found in 1 Samuel 8:16, 1 Samuel 14:52, and 1 Samuel 28:2. These passages collectively document the organization of armed retainers and the enlistment of strong men for royal service.
Why it lands — The text demands observation of the physical arrangement: a central litter surrounded by sixty armed warriors prepared for night defense. The reader must note the explicit description of the escort’s equipment and readiness without importing external political or historical claims.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 8:16 And he will take your menservants and maidservants and your best cattle and donkeys and put them to his own use.
- 1 Samuel 14:52 And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him.
- 1 Samuel 28:2 David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.” “Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.”
- 1 Kings 9:22 But Solomon did not consign any of the Israelites to slavery, because they were his men of war, his servants, his officers, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and cavalry.
- 1 Kings 14:27 Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place and committed them to the care of the captains of the guard on duty at the entrance to the royal palace.
- 2 Kings 6:17 Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
- Song of Solomon 1:16 How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how delightful! The soft grass is our bed.
- Song of Solomon 3:9 King Solomon has made his carriage out of the timber of Lebanon.
- Hebrews 1:14 Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?