Song of Solomon 2: A Symphony of Love, Longing, and Springtime
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.
His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.
My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.
Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.
Song of Solomon 2 offers a beautiful glimpse into the blossoming romance between the lovers, filled with vivid imagery and heartfelt expressions of affection. It's a chapter that speaks to the power of love, the anticipation of intimacy, and the joy of companionship.
The Woman's Humble Self-Assessment (Song of Solomon 2:1-3)
The woman, deeply moved by her beloved's praise (implied from chapter 1), initially expresses a sense of humility. She describes herself as "a wildflower of Sharon, a lily of the valleys" (Song of Solomon 2:1). This isn't a statement of low self-esteem, but rather a recognition of her natural beauty and simplicity. However, the man elevates her, declaring her to be "a lily among thorns" (Song of Solomon 2:2), highlighting her uniqueness and preciousness in his eyes. He sees her as exceptional, setting her apart from all others. This illustrates how love transforms our perception of one another. He, in turn, is her "apricot tree," providing shade and refreshment (Song of Solomon 2:3). She finds rest and delight in his presence, trusting him regardless of life's difficulties. This mutual appreciation and dependence are cornerstones of a strong relationship.
Love's Banner and Overwhelming Affection (Song of Solomon 2:4-5)
The depth of the man's love is further emphasized in verse 4. "He looked on me with love" can also be translated as "His banner over me is love." Banners symbolize allegiance and public declaration. Solomon proudly displays his love for the woman, wanting everyone to know she is his treasure. His affection is so intense that she feels overwhelmed, even "faint with love" (Song of Solomon 2:5). This illustrates the powerful, sometimes overwhelming, nature of true love. She is completely captivated by his affection, needing his support and sustenance.
The Desire for Intimacy and the Wisdom of Patience (Song of Solomon 2:6-7)
The woman yearns for deep intimacy, expressing her desire for his "left hand to be under my head, and his right arm to embrace me" (Song of Solomon 2:6). This speaks to a longing for physical closeness and emotional security. However, recognizing that they are not yet married, she cautions the young women of Jerusalem (and herself): "do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases" (Song of Solomon 2:7). This verse underscores the importance of patience and waiting for the appropriate time for the full consummation of love within the bonds of marriage. It’s a reminder that true love is not just about immediate gratification, but also about respect, self-control, and honoring God's timing.
The Eager Lover's Approach (Song of Solomon 2:8-9)
The scene shifts, and we see the man's eagerness to be with his beloved. He is depicted as leaping over mountains and moving like a gazelle (Song of Solomon 2:8-9), signifying that nothing will deter him from reaching her. His love propels him forward, overcoming any obstacles in his path. He is driven by his desire to be with her, knowing she awaits him at the end of his journey.
Springtime and a Call to Companionship (Song of Solomon 2:10-14)
The man invites his beloved to join him, using the imagery of springtime to illustrate the newness and joy of their relationship. "For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone" (Song of Solomon 2:11). The season of coldness and dormancy has ended, and a time of blossoming and flourishing has begun. Just as springtime brings new life, so does his love bring new joy to her (Song of Solomon 2:13). He sees her beauty and invites her to share in the beauty of the season with him. Husbands should be the "springtime" in their wives' lives, bringing warmth, renewal, and joy.
Guarding the Vineyard of Love (Song of Solomon 2:15-17)
The chapter concludes with a warning: "Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards" (Song of Solomon 2:15). This is a powerful metaphor for the small, seemingly insignificant issues that can damage a relationship over time. Marriages are rarely destroyed by major events, but rather by the accumulation of unaddressed minor problems. These "little foxes" can gnaw away at the foundation of love and trust, leading to decay and ultimately, destruction. Therefore, it is crucial to address these issues early on, seeking counsel and working together to protect the "vineyard" of the relationship. This proactive approach ensures the continued health and vitality of their love.
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.
His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.
My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.
Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.
Song of Solomon 2 offers a beautiful glimpse into the blossoming romance between the lovers, filled with vivid imagery and heartfelt expressions of affection. It's a chapter that speaks to the power of love, the anticipation of intimacy, and the joy of companionship.
The Woman's Humble Self-Assessment (Song of Solomon 2:1-3)
The woman, deeply moved by her beloved's praise (implied from chapter 1), initially expresses a sense of humility. She describes herself as "a wildflower of Sharon, a lily of the valleys" (Song of Solomon 2:1). This isn't a statement of low self-esteem, but rather a recognition of her natural beauty and simplicity. However, the man elevates her, declaring her to be "a lily among thorns" (Song of Solomon 2:2), highlighting her uniqueness and preciousness in his eyes. He sees her as exceptional, setting her apart from all others. This illustrates how love transforms our perception of one another. He, in turn, is her "apricot tree," providing shade and refreshment (Song of Solomon 2:3). She finds rest and delight in his presence, trusting him regardless of life's difficulties. This mutual appreciation and dependence are cornerstones of a strong relationship.
Love's Banner and Overwhelming Affection (Song of Solomon 2:4-5)
The depth of the man's love is further emphasized in verse 4. "He looked on me with love" can also be translated as "His banner over me is love." Banners symbolize allegiance and public declaration. Solomon proudly displays his love for the woman, wanting everyone to know she is his treasure. His affection is so intense that she feels overwhelmed, even "faint with love" (Song of Solomon 2:5). This illustrates the powerful, sometimes overwhelming, nature of true love. She is completely captivated by his affection, needing his support and sustenance.
The Desire for Intimacy and the Wisdom of Patience (Song of Solomon 2:6-7)
The woman yearns for deep intimacy, expressing her desire for his "left hand to be under my head, and his right arm to embrace me" (Song of Solomon 2:6). This speaks to a longing for physical closeness and emotional security. However, recognizing that they are not yet married, she cautions the young women of Jerusalem (and herself): "do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases" (Song of Solomon 2:7). This verse underscores the importance of patience and waiting for the appropriate time for the full consummation of love within the bonds of marriage. It’s a reminder that true love is not just about immediate gratification, but also about respect, self-control, and honoring God's timing.
The Eager Lover's Approach (Song of Solomon 2:8-9)
The scene shifts, and we see the man's eagerness to be with his beloved. He is depicted as leaping over mountains and moving like a gazelle (Song of Solomon 2:8-9), signifying that nothing will deter him from reaching her. His love propels him forward, overcoming any obstacles in his path. He is driven by his desire to be with her, knowing she awaits him at the end of his journey.
Springtime and a Call to Companionship (Song of Solomon 2:10-14)
The man invites his beloved to join him, using the imagery of springtime to illustrate the newness and joy of their relationship. "For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone" (Song of Solomon 2:11). The season of coldness and dormancy has ended, and a time of blossoming and flourishing has begun. Just as springtime brings new life, so does his love bring new joy to her (Song of Solomon 2:13). He sees her beauty and invites her to share in the beauty of the season with him. Husbands should be the "springtime" in their wives' lives, bringing warmth, renewal, and joy.
Guarding the Vineyard of Love (Song of Solomon 2:15-17)
The chapter concludes with a warning: "Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards" (Song of Solomon 2:15). This is a powerful metaphor for the small, seemingly insignificant issues that can damage a relationship over time. Marriages are rarely destroyed by major events, but rather by the accumulation of unaddressed minor problems. These "little foxes" can gnaw away at the foundation of love and trust, leading to decay and ultimately, destruction. Therefore, it is crucial to address these issues early on, seeking counsel and working together to protect the "vineyard" of the relationship. This proactive approach ensures the continued health and vitality of their love.