(Song of Solomon 2:1-17)
1 “I am the rose of Sharon,
The lily of the valleys.”
2 “Like a lily among the thorns,
So is my darling among the young women.”
3 “Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
So is my beloved among the young men.
In his shade I took great delight and sat down,
And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
4 He has brought me to his banquet hall,
And his banner over me is love.
5 Refresh me with raisin cakes,
Sustain me with apples,
Because I am lovesick.
6 His left hand is under my head,
And his right hand embraces me.”
7 “Swear to me, you daughters of Jerusalem,
By the gazelles or by the does of the field,
That you will not disturb or awaken my love
Until she pleases.”
8 “Listen! My beloved!
Behold, he is coming,
Leaping on the mountains,
Jumping on the hills!
9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Behold, he is standing behind our wall,
He is looking through the windows,
He is peering through the lattice.
10 “My beloved responded and said to me,
‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,
And come along.
11 For behold, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone.
12 The blossoms have already appeared in the land;
The time has arrived for pruning the vines,
And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.
13 The fig tree has ripened its fruit,
And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance.
Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,
And come along!’”
14 “My dove, in the clefts of the rock,
In the hiding place of the mountain pathway,
Let me see how you look,
Let me hear your voice;
For your voice is pleasant,
And you look delightful.”
15 “Catch the foxes for us,
The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards,
While our vineyards are in blossom.”
16 “My beloved is mine, and I am his;
He pastures his flock among the lilies.
17 Until the cool of the day, when the shadows flee,
Turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle
Or a young stag on the mountains of Bether.”
The lily of the valleys.”
2 “Like a lily among the thorns,
So is my darling among the young women.”
3 “Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
So is my beloved among the young men.
In his shade I took great delight and sat down,
And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
4 He has brought me to his banquet hall,
And his banner over me is love.
5 Refresh me with raisin cakes,
Sustain me with apples,
Because I am lovesick.
6 His left hand is under my head,
And his right hand embraces me.”
7 “Swear to me, you daughters of Jerusalem,
By the gazelles or by the does of the field,
That you will not disturb or awaken my love
Until she pleases.”
8 “Listen! My beloved!
Behold, he is coming,
Leaping on the mountains,
Jumping on the hills!
9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Behold, he is standing behind our wall,
He is looking through the windows,
He is peering through the lattice.
10 “My beloved responded and said to me,
‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,
And come along.
11 For behold, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone.
12 The blossoms have already appeared in the land;
The time has arrived for pruning the vines,
And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.
13 The fig tree has ripened its fruit,
And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance.
Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,
And come along!’”
14 “My dove, in the clefts of the rock,
In the hiding place of the mountain pathway,
Let me see how you look,
Let me hear your voice;
For your voice is pleasant,
And you look delightful.”
15 “Catch the foxes for us,
The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards,
While our vineyards are in blossom.”
16 “My beloved is mine, and I am his;
He pastures his flock among the lilies.
17 Until the cool of the day, when the shadows flee,
Turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle
Or a young stag on the mountains of Bether.”
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
Solomon saw his love-interest as a lily, more precious than any other person around. And the woman considered him a rare find among men, as apple trees were rare there. From this passage, we can clearly see that they enjoyed each other's company. And Solomon made sure that those around him knew how much he loved her, as if he was holding up a banner, high above his head, for all to see. This does not mean that couples should exhibit inappropriate public affection, which actually proves to others that there are issues in the relationship. (All of that should be done in private, and only within a marriage.) But people should be able to see the togetherness and that the relationship is strong.
While we are not to withhold love and encouragement from our loved ones, we are not to force love from them, either, as per verse 7. Especially when dating! If someone isn't all that committed or interested in you, then move on. But within a marriage, while we are not to force love, we cannot become complacent, no matter in which aspect of the relationship.
It is very important to realize that the husband's body is the wife's, and the wife's body is the husband's. Verse 16 exemplifies this, which can be cross-referenced to (1 Corinthians 7:4) "The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise the husband also does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does." As for singles, when a relationship becomes more serious, there should be an understanding of how it will be. That the commitment towards marriage will lead to this level of intimacy and vulnerability.
In order to inspire willingness to be vulnerable and intimate, just as Solomon does here in verse 8, we cannot take our loved ones for granted. Even and especially in marriage, we need to continue pursuing (wooing and dating) our spouse. This will help to keep a marriage strong. A date can be anything, even if it is just time spent together, going for a lovely walk. Notice in verse 14 that Solomon not only longs to experience and appreciate every part of the woman's body, he also enjoys listening to her - to know everything about her!
Just to talk and catch up is crucial in a relationship, otherwise, couples will drift apart. And as for singles, one should really get to know a person well before getting married. And there is a lot to know about a person, so have many questions ready to ask if they are not offering up any valuable and necessary information.
Verse 15 is important for any relationship, but it is very critical to do in a marriage: that both agree to work together so that nothing will separate them. There are all kinds of "foxes" that will try to ruin things for couples. And just like how foxes look so cute and small, these types of "foxes", problems and temptations can be extra deceiving and therefore extra dangerous. So, it is massively important to work through issues as soon as they are realized. The longer we leave something, the more something will fester, divide and destroy.
Therefore, couples should be humble and willing to allow themselves to be vulnerable with each other regarding what they are experiencing and struggling through, as well as what they like and don't like, without being afraid to hear what the other has to say. Especially men... NOT that a man has to become a whimpering cry-baby, but be open to being open about each other's feelings, desires and goals. As the spiritual leader of the household, Solomon was being an example for his loved-one to follow... in God's light and love, which is a safe, beautiful, joyful and peaceful haven.
Women, if you do not see this in the person you are dating, don't expect that they will take the lead like this once you are married. For both men and women, who you date is who you will marry. Do not think that you can change them. Only the Lord can change the hearts of people, and what is in the heart is how a person will be. Therefore, be careful who you date! And get to know who they are well enough so that there aren't any surprises.
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