Song of Solomon 1:9-17

A Mutually Responsive Song of Love and Admiration. (1) The comparison of the richly-ornamented horses of Pharaoh's chariots. Parallels from ancient literature may be found in the commentaries. The Arabs had fine breeds of horses which they esteemed very highly, and such horses were splendidly adorned when driven in the chariots of the princes. The rich and even excessive adornment of the bride appealed to the Orientals as much as the simple beauty of the maiden. Hence the reference to plaits of hair, circlets of gold with silver points is appropriate both to a woman's headdress and the trappings of a gaily-decorated steed (Genesis 24:53; Genesis 34:12). (2) The bride returns the compliment. Her perfumes and her own charms exert their full power when stimulated by the gracious presence of her king. He is compared to a bundle or bag of myrrh which Oriental women place between their breasts at night, and which has a protecting and refreshing influence, as well as to the Paradise flower (henna-flower), the dye from which is used to give a delicate tinge to the hands and feet. These flowers are said to be found only in Palestine at En-gedi. (3) The bridegroom declares again the beauty of his love (lit. friend, in the OT peculiar to this book and Judges 11:37). He says that her eyes are doves, meaning that they have the softness and innocence of doves-' eyes. There is no general agreement about the exact reference of Song of Solomon 1:16 f. whether it is a picture of a fine mansion, or a poetic description of life among the trees of the forest; the green bed is the difficulty, which some take literally, and others figuratively, or according to the custom mentioned in Proverbs 7:17.