The couple often use descriptions that seem strange to us today. But
they are describing things that they considered beautiful.
For example, wild goats on a mountain may not seem beautiful to us.
But people who have seen the goats may think differently.
We also need to realise that this is not the... [ Continue Reading ]
A WONDERFUL SONG ABOUT LOVE
SONG OF SONGS
_MARK KIRKPATRICK_
CHAPTER 4
THE MAN
V1 My *dear, you are so beautiful!
Oh, you are beautiful!
Your eyes are behind your *veil.
They are like *doves.
Your hair is like a group of goats.
They are coming down from the mountain called Gilead.... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon seems to be describing her collar. The materials seemed to
shine. Or perhaps she had precious stones on a chain round her neck.
This sight reminded Solomon about part of David’s castle. When the
soldiers did not need their *shields, they would hang them on the
wall. Everybody who saw the *s... [ Continue Reading ]
In other words, she is still very young. Compare 8:10. In chapter 8,
she will be a mature woman. And she will be a good mother.... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon reminds the woman about her words in 2:17. Then, she told him
to go away to the mountains. But now she wants him. So he jokes that
he will go to the mountains. But he is not going away from her.
Instead, he chooses the wonderful places where there are lovely
smells. These smells will remind... [ Continue Reading ]
In chapter 4, Solomon chooses nice words when he speaks to the woman.
These words remind her that they are engaged. (Or perhaps, they are
married.) He calls her:
• My *dear (verse 7). This means, ‘the woman whom I love’.
• My sister (verse 10). Of course, she was not really his sister.
But he coul... [ Continue Reading ]
We do not really think that the woman lived in these places. These are
wonderful places. But they are also dangerous places.
We think that Solomon was saying, ‘You are so beautiful. I am
surprised that someone so beautiful has come from my own country. I
would imagine that you have come from elsewh... [ Continue Reading ]
Their love seems very special:
• She glanced at him. So he loves her.
• He saw the chain round her neck. And he wanted her to be his
bride.
• He prefers her love rather than the best wine.
• He prefers her *perfume rather than any other smell.
• Her words seem so sweet (pleasant). He jokes that... [ Continue Reading ]
In fact, the woman did not come from Lebanon. So Solomon uses another
description. Solomon had great knowledge about plants (1 Kings 4:33).
He knew about plants with beautiful smells from many countries.
Solomon imagines that the woman has collected these plants. He
imagines that she has a wonderfu... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon’s words are wonderful. But the young woman’s reply is also
wonderful. She is pleased with Solomon’s words. She wants him to
share her life. So she pretends to invite Solomon into her garden. And
she tells him to enjoy the fruit.
But the young woman is not selfish. She wants everyone to be h... [ Continue Reading ]