This verse is probably best considered as an aside or independent comment. The Hebrew word rendered palanquin in Revised Standard Version occurs only here and is not the same word as “bed” in verse 7, but it seems to have the same meaning. The word may come from Sanskrit or Iranian, though some think it is related to the Aramaic word for “bed.” Others think it refers to a building or throne room, but most consider it to be a portable seat of some kind. We can say “sedan chair” or more generally “[covered] seat carried by servants [or, porters].” New English Bible has “carriage.” We must be careful, however, that the term used does not mean a carriage with wheels.

King Solomon made himself …: on the nature and significance of references to Solomon, see comments on 1.1 and 3.7. When the poet says the king made himself a palanquin, it does not mean the king actually built one himself. He would have had servants make it for him to use. Good News Translation avoids the expression altogether with “King Solomon is carried on a throne…,” but this does not give a faithful rendering of the text.

From the wood of Lebanon: the mountains of Lebanon produced cedar and cypress trees of great size and fame. They were used widely in the ancient world in building projects, especially by Solomon (1 Kgs 5–7). To convey the idea that this was the best wood available, Good News Translation suggests “made of the finest wood.” Alternatively we can suggest “made of Lebanon’s famous wood [timber].”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Song of Songs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1998. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .