Song of Songs 2

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Read Song of Songs 1

She

I am a rose of Sharon,
    a lily of the valleys.

He

Like a lily among thorns
    is my darling among the young women.

She

Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest
    is my beloved among the young men.
I delight to sit in his shade,
    and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
Let him lead me to the banquet hall,
    and let his banner over me be love.
Strengthen me with raisins,
    refresh me with apples,
    for I am faint with love.
His left arm is under my head,
    and his right arm embraces me.
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
    by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
    until it so desires.

Listen! My beloved!
    Look! Here he comes,
leaping across the mountains,
    bounding over the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
    Look! There he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
    peering through the lattice.
10 My beloved spoke and said to me,
    “Arise, my darling,
    my beautiful one, come with me.
11 See! The winter is past;
    the rains are over and gone.
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
    the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
    is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
    the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
    my beautiful one, come with me.”

He

14 My dove in the clefts of the rock,
    in the hiding places on the mountainside,
show me your face,
    let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
    and your face is lovely.
15 Catch for us the foxes,
    the little foxes
that ruin the vineyards,
    our vineyards that are in bloom.

She

16 My beloved is mine and I am his;
    he browses among the lilies.
17 Until the day breaks
    and the shadows flee,
turn, my beloved,
    and be like a gazelle
or like a young stag
    on the rugged hills.

Go Deeper

Let’s think about chapter 2 through two lenses: the first lens being a picture of an engaged couple and the second lens being a picture of Christ and His people (the Church).

First, let’s observe this chapter through the lens of an earthly relationship–this picture of an ideal relationship between a man and a woman. This couple, who is not yet married but engaged, picks up right where chapter 1 left off. They are praising each other profusely. The woman begins the chapter talking about herself. It’s interesting that her assessment of herself grows in confidence in light of his love for her. She begins to see herself the way he sees her. She also acknowledges and trusts that in his shadow, in his care, there is rest and refreshment and protection. She knows that he is a safe place for her.

He is extravagant in the way he loves her–his banner over her is love. He is advertising to all who will notice that he loves her. That he adores her. That she is his. His love for her is on display for all to see. They have a mutual desire for one another. There is mutual enjoyment, emotion, tenderness, and delight.

Yet, her wisdom prevails over desire. She will not give way to longing until the time is right. She will not settle for a premature desire or counterfeit version of love. They are willing to wait for the physical expression of the emotional connection they feel for one another. And, nothing will stand in his way or delay him when the time is right. She will flourish and blossom in his care. Her barren winter will be replaced with new blossoms of spring. But in the midst of this flowering relationship, there is always the threat of little foxes. These are the small, seemingly insignificant schemes of the enemy that destroy and sabotage relationships over time.

For those of us in committed relationships, we can learn from this couple and evaluate our relationships. How well are you doing at praising your partner? Does your spouse flourish under your care? Are you a safe place for your partner to land? Or are you allowing counterfeit versions of love to steal your mutual enjoyment, emotion, tenderness, and delight from each other?

Let’s shift our perspective just a little bit. What’s remarkable about the word of God is that it is applicable to all-married, single, rich, poor, male, and female. Let’s observe chapter 2 through the lens of the relationship of Christ and His bride, those of us belonging to Him.

All throughout Scripture, Christ’s love for us is undeniable. He lavishes his love on us. Because of His great love for us, the way we view ourselves changes. We grow in confidence. We see ourselves the way He sees us: holy, blameless, and righteous. We know and trust that in His care we find rest and refreshment and protection. He is our rock and our refuge. He is the safest place to land. His banner over us is love. While we were yet sinners, He displayed his love for us by dying in our place. And, because He conquered death with His resurrection, we know that the dead, barren parts in our lives (our winter seasons) will, at some point, bloom with new life again. And, while we have an enemy who wants to destroy any fruit in our life, one day, when the time is right, nothing and no one will be able to prevent or delay our King Jesus from coming to take us home. 

Questions

  1. What do you learn about Jesus in this passage?
  2. What do you learn about yourself in this passage? If you are married or engaged, what evaluations or assessments do you make about your relationship?
  3. What is one thing you can do today to strengthen your relationship with Jesus? If you’re married, what is one thing you can do today to strengthen your relationship with your spouse?

Did You Know?

Pastor and commentator David Guzik said this about this passage in the Enduring Word commentary:

“Spurgeon gave an allegorical application to the idea of the maiden (representing God’s people) resting under the shade of her beloved (representing Jesus): ‘Straightway she sat down under its shadow, with great delight, and its fruit was sweet unto her taste. She looked up at it; that was the first thing she did, and she perceived that it met her double want. The sun was hot, there was the shadow: she was faint, there was the fruit. Now, see how Jesus meets all the wants of all who come to him.’”

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7 thoughts on “Song of Songs 2”

  1. Ella Snodgrass

    One thing we can do to strengthen our relationship with Christ is to lean into and fully believe what he proclaims is truth. Staying connected to him is vital as the enemy of our souls throws lies to confuse us. Jesus declared, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

  2. I listened to the podcast again #170 which is with John Eldredge and he discussed our Union with God. I thought of our reading plan. Song of Solomon is telling us about that union. We are Christ’s bride. It makes the picture for me different and sweeter.
    God You are so amazing. I know you know all but that You desire us to be in your abounding LOVE is so exciting. Thank You for details in your word so we can see and know you better and more and more fully here and now in Jesus name amen
    WOOHOO!!!!

  3. I know it’s hard to grasp and wrap our heads around the fact that out of 1000 women, Solomon found this one to be special enough to write songs of her. We have to applaud him though because he was the King of romance and eloquent wording in these poems. We get to see another side of Solomon maybe to help understand his heart. I find it a peaceful and delightful read in comparison to Kings.
    Verses 11-13 have always been a favorite.
    1 Corinthians 13 came to mind. ‘Love is patient. Love is kind…Love never fails… And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.’

  4. So often I can get so bogged down and discouraged by the things right in front of me. My “one foot in front of the other” mindset leaves me exhausted and indifferent.

    Solomon 2 offers such a radically different and beautiful perspective, reminding me of all that lies ahead.

    Expectation. Invitation. Celebration.

    It will in fact be so magnificent that all creation joins in rejoicing, offering up a glorious feast for the senses. (Note how the author skillfully evokes various sights, sounds, tastes, touch and scents!)

    What a magnificent vision of all that is to come! I think if only I fully grasped God’s invitation to me, I would live every day in joyfully breathless anticipation.

  5. I believe he’s my strength and redeemer. he cares deeply about. he’s mine and i’m definitely his. I ADORE JESUS AND WISH TO ENCOUNTER HIM IN MY DREAM

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