Song of Solomon 3:10
He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem. He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
The verse belongs to an Oriental love poem whose imagery uses the warm, figurative language of the East. It is widely interpreted as a parable or poetic picture of Christ and His church, with experiences in Solomon's life also serving as types of Christ and the church. It displays Christ's wonderful love and the church's answering love, which is often wanting in faithfulness and constancy. Beyond that general meaning its particular imagery is left without explanation.
In its literal sense it describes Solomon's chariot as richly appointed. Its pillars were made of silver and its base of gold, with a covering of purple. Its interior was decorated with costly tapestry made by the daughters of Jerusalem.
Spiritually the chariot is religious duty — praying, hearing, receiving, and every approach to God — and the beloved who must be in the chariot is Christ. No duty must be entered without bringing God to it, and none must be left with satisfaction without carrying God from it. A duty in which Christ does not meet the soul is no ordinance of comfort. The blessed soul prays, hears, receives, carries Christ to all, enjoys Christ with all, and seeks Christ among all, going out in God's strength and returning in God's presence, and not rising from duty until God's countenance rises in mercy upon the soul.