We do not know for certain whether there was actually a tower known as David’s tower in Israel at the time of the Song, but comparing her neck to the tower of David is probably a reference to its majesty and dignity. There is some evidence that military towers had ornamental shields hanging on them and the comparison here probably refers to some kind of jewellery that she is wearing.1 The comparison of her neck to the tower of David depicts her as a fortified city, just as she will later be described as a locked garden and a sealed fountain (Song of Solomon 4:12) and as a city wall defended with towers (Song of Solomon 8:10). Clearly, she is no easy conquest for any man who comes along; she has followed her own counsel not to stir up love too soon (Song of Solomon 2:7; Song of Solomon 3:5).2
4 Your neck is like the tower of David, built in rows of stone; on it hang a thousand shields, all of them shields of warriors.