Song of Solomon 2:1-7

Mutual Praise and Praise of Love. The bride sets herself forth as the Rose (meadow saffron or crocus) of Sharon (or the plain) and the Lily (scarlet anemone?) of the valley. To this the lover replies that other young women are in comparison to her the thorns among which those lilies often grow. This is not a cynical attack on womankind, but shows the idealising power of love for the one. The appropriate reply is that he also stands out from among men as the apple (or quince) tree among trees, a tree which gives grateful shade and a pleasant aromatic fruit; it is joy to be in his company as it was a delight to sit under the shadow of such a tree. This thought is now expanded as the young woman dwells upon the delights of love. For banqueting house the literal rendering of mg., house of wine is to be preferred: as it is not likely that the phrase is a proper name, it is probably a symbol for the chamber of love. The banner means not a flag to be followed, but a sign for gathering. It is possible that there may be an allusion to the custom of the ancient wine-seller, who hoisted a flag to show that he had wine in stock. The excitement and ecstasy induces weariness and faintness, so she desires to be restored and strengthened by raisins (2 Samuel 6:19) or raisin cakes (Jeremiah 7:18), and apples with their stimulating aroma and suggestions of love. The passage closes with the refrain which occurs again in Song of Solomon 3:5 and Song of Solomon 8:4, in a similar context. On the whole, though the abstract word love is used for the concrete lover, it seems most probable that the charge is not to disturb the enjoyment of love rather than not to waken the desire for it. In this connexion it is natural that the conjuration should not bring in the name of Israel's God, but rather, as here, the names of animals that were used as symbols of modest gracefulness and by tradition associated with the ancient worship of the goddess of love.