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Reading Plan · Day 199

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Song of Solomon 1-4

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About Song of Solomon

The theme of the Song of Solomon, also known as Canticles which meant "song of songs" in Latin, was literally the love of Solomon for a Shulamite woman (Song of Solomon 6:13). The figurative meaning was debatable. Most Jews believed the bride represented Israel and the groom represented God. Most Christians believed the bride represented the Church and the groom represented Christ. In fact, early church history claimed that because of the explicit content of this book, Jewish males were not allowed to read this until they were thirty years old. Remember, this was a song. In songs, the story location and focus can change in one verse and in this Song, it often did...

Day 199 Read

Where You Stopped

Song of Solomon 1

1The Song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

1The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

Commentary · verse 1

The phrase "song of songs" told the reader this was the most excellent of songs. Similar to Christ being described as the King of kings, Lord of lords, etc. Solomon was introduced as the author, however, the first speaker was a Shulamite woman...

2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; For thy love is better than wine.

3Thine oils have a goodly fragrance; Thy name is as oil poured forth; Therefore do the virgins love thee.

2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

3Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

Commentary · verses 2-3

The bride referred to the man to whom she was betrothed: a shepherd. We have seen the Law stated that virgins could be betrothed without having completed (consummated) the Marriage Covenant, for example: Deuteronomy 22:23-24. The bride was promised in Marriage to a groom.

4Draw me; we will run after thee: The king hath brought me into his chambers; We will be glad and rejoice in thee; We will make mention of thy love more than of wine: Rightly do they love thee.

4Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

Commentary · verse 4

The king was Solomon. While Solomon was visiting the northern part of the kingdom, he saw this Shulamite woman and wanted her to marry him even though she was already betrothed/engaged. The bride was calling to her groom to rescue her from Solomon. Next, the bride answered the scorn of the ladies of Solomon's court...

5I am black, but comely, Oh ye daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, As the curtains of Solomon.

5I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

Commentary · verse 5

"Black" and "comely" means that she had dark skin and she was beautiful.

6Look not upon me, because I am swarthy, Because the sun hath scorched me. My mother’s sons were incensed against me; They made me keeper of the vineyards; But mine own vineyard have I not kept.

6Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.

Commentary · verse 6

"Swarthy" is the same word as "black." She did not want to be looked upon because of her beauty. She did not want the "blackness" or the "comeliness" to be the cause people focused on. Her "vineyard" represented her "husbandry": who God created her to be. She felt unworthy and unkept. She desired a true husbandman. A man that would "keep her vineyard"....who would work her land by nourishing and cherishing her.

Next, the bride asked her groom, who was a shepherd, where he could be found...

7Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, Where thou feedest thy flock, Where thou makest it to rest at noon: For why should I be as one that is veiled Beside the flocks of thy companions?

7Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

Commentary · verse 7

The court ladies responded...

8If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, And feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.

8If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.

Commentary · verse 8

Their response was sarcastic: if you do not know where your shepherd is, take "your flock" to the tents of the shepherds. Next, Solomon spoke...

9I have compared thee, O my love, To a steed in Pharaoh’s chariots.

9I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.

Commentary · verse 9

This verse has been used to prove that the bride was literally Solomon's Egyptian wife: 1 Kings 3:1.

10Thy cheeks are comely with plaits of hair, Thy neck with strings of jewels.

11We will make thee plaits of gold With studs of silver.

10Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.

11We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.

Commentary · verses 10-11

Solomon was promising to give her jewels, gold, and silver if she would become his wife. Next, the bride spoke while she was with her groom (the shepherd)...

12While the king sat at his table, My spikenard sent forth its fragrance.

13My beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh, That lieth betwixt my breasts.

14My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna-flowers In the vineyards of En-gedi.

12While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

13A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

14My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En–gedi.

Commentary · verses 12-14

The groom had come to visit his bride while Solomon sat at his table. The groom spoke...

15Behold, thou art fair, my love; Behold thou art fair; Thine eyes are as doves.

15Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes.

Commentary · verse 15

It was believed that the doves mentioned here had large and beautiful eyes. The bride replied...

16Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: Also our couch is green.

16Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.

Commentary · verse 16

The "couch" or "bed" being green symbolized the fruit of their union.

17The beams of our house are cedars, And our rafters are firs.

17The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.

Commentary · verse 17

Cedars were the support of their house. Cedar was pleasing to the eye and smell as well as being a hard wood that was never eaten by worms. This would have been a pleasing yet strong support. Their "rafters" or roof was made of fir. This also was a durable and fragrant wood. The bride continued to speak...

Where You Stopped

Song of Solomon 2

1I am a rose of Sharon, A lily of the valleys.

1I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

Commentary · verse 1

Sharon was in North Palestine, between Mount Tabor and Lake Tiberias (1 Chronicles 5:16). The word "Sharon" meant "a plain." One thought here was that she was using this as a symbol of her humility. Next, the groom spoke...

2As a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.

2As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

Commentary · verse 2

The groom saw her as outgrowing her surroundings like a lily outgrew the thorns. The bride spoke...

3As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, So is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.

3As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

Commentary · verse 3

She saw her man as a tree that produced fruit among wild trees...wild men. She appreciated the fruit of his life.

4He brought me to the banqueting-house, And his banner over me was love.

4He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Commentary · verse 4

He provided protection with a banner of love.

5Stay ye me with raisins, refresh me with apples; For I am sick from love.

5Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.

Commentary · verse 5

"Stay me with raisins" refers to her looking for nourishment. The word "stay" meant "strengthen."

6His left hand is under my head, And his right hand doth embrace me.

6His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.

Commentary · verse 6

Next, the bride was separated from the groom and back in Solomon's tents speaking to the ladies of his court...

7I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Until he please.

7I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

Commentary · verse 7

In the original manuscripts, the word "my" was not present. This verse ought to read: "That ye stir not, up, nor awake love..." She told the women not to encourage her to be passionate towards Solomon.

8The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh, Leaping upon the mountains, Skipping upon the hills.

8The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

Commentary · verse 8

She was hugely energized by his voice, remembering the first time she met her groom (the shepherd).

9My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: Behold, he standeth behind our wall; He looketh in at the windows; He glanceth through the lattice.

10My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

9My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.

10My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Commentary · verses 9-10

The groom called her away.

11For, lo, the winter is past; The rain is over and gone; 12The flowers appear on the earth; The time of the singing of birds is come, And the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land; 13The fig-tree ripeneth her green figs, And the vines are in blossom; They give forth their fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

11For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

12The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

13The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Commentary · verses 11-13

She presented his reason (WHY) he called her away. He saw the profitable season as the time for union with her, his proposal. Next, she spoke of her groom...

14O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, In the covert of the steep place, Let me see thy countenance, Let me hear thy voice; For sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

14O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

Commentary · verse 14

She called him a dove.

15Take us the foxes, the little foxes, That spoil the vineyards; For our vineyards are in blossom.

15Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

Commentary · verse 15

She spoke of her brothers who hindered her time with her groom by giving her work.

16My beloved is mine, and I am his: He feedeth his flock among the lilies.

17Until the day be cool, and the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart Upon the mountains of Bether.

16My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

17Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

Commentary · verses 16-17

Despite the distractions, she had faith they were joined. "Until the day be cool" had not happened yet. According to Hebrews 11:1, faith was a belief in something that had not happened or something you couldn't see. Next, she explained what happened when she went to look for her groom at night...

Where You Stopped

Song of Solomon 3

1By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

2I said, I will rise now, and go about the city; In the streets and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

3The watchmen that go about the city found me; To whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

1By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

2I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

3The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

Commentary · verses 1-3

When he did not show up, she went to find him. She asked the watchman where the groom was. Later, she found him...

4It was but a little that I passed from them, When I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, Until I had brought him into my mother’s house, And into the chamber of her that conceived me.

4It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

Commentary · verse 4

She found him and did not want to let him go. She had stated she chose her groom over Solomon. Next, she spoke directly to the ladies of the court. Remember, this was a song and the focus of the dialogue changed often and quickly...

5I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Until he please.

5I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

Commentary · verse 5

Again, she warned the ladies not to encourage her to be passionate towards Solomon. This time it was spoken because Solomon was taking her back to Jerusalem to convince her to marry him. The rest of the verses in this chapter were spoken from the perspective of the people of Jerusalem as they witnessed Solomon's procession back to Jerusalem from Shunem.

6Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant?

7Behold, it is the litter of Solomon; Threescore mighty men are about it, Of the mighty men of Israel.

8They all handle the sword, and are expert in war: Every man hath his sword upon his thigh, Because of fear in the night.

6Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

7Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.

8They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

Commentary · verses 6-8

The "pillars of smoke" referred to what the white robed people in the procession looked like in the breeze, which also carried the fragrances to the observers. The word "litter" meant "bed." Solomon had sixty mighty men as body guards.

9King Solomon made himself a palanquin Of the wood of Lebanon.

10He made the pillars thereof of silver, The bottom thereof of gold, the seat of it of purple, The midst thereof being paved with love, From the daughters of Jerusalem.

9King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.

10He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.

Commentary · verses 9-10

The "palanquin" that Solomon made was a "chariot" usually made for only one person, usually a bed that was carried by others.

11Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon, With the crown wherewith his mother hath crowned him In the day of his espousals, And in the day of the gladness of his heart.

11Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.

Commentary · verse 11

The phrase "daughters of Zion" was only used in three other places in the Bible. Each time it was in connection with rebuking. Perhaps the women were jealous of the Shulamite that Solomon had brought back for "espousal." Next, the shepherd (groom) who followed the procession spoke about his bride...

Where You Stopped

Song of Solomon 4

1Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; Thine eyes are as doves behind thy veil. Thy hair is as a flock of goats, That lie along the side of mount Gilead.

2Thy teeth are like a flock of ewes that are newly shorn, Which are come up from the washing, Whereof every one hath twins, And none is bereaved among them.

3Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, And thy mouth is comely. Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate Behind thy veil.

4Thy neck is like the tower of David Builded for an armory, Whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, All the shields of the mighty men.

5Thy two breasts are like two fawns That are twins of a roe, Which feed among the lilies.

1Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.

2Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.

3Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.

4Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.

5Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

Commentary · verses 1-5

Next, the bride responded...

6Until the day be cool, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, And to the hill of frankincense.

6Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

Commentary · verse 6

The bride agreed to return home with her groom. The shepherd responded...

7Thou art all fair, my love; And there is no spot in thee.

7Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.

Commentary · verse 7

He said there was "no spot in thee." Possible comparison to Ephesians 5:25-27 (emphasis added):

"25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, NOT HAVING SPOT, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

8Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, With me from Lebanon: Look from the top of Amana, From the top of Senir and Hermon, From the lions’ dens, From the mountains of the leopards.

8Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

Commentary · verse 8

The groom called her away.

9Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my bride; Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, With one chain of thy neck.

10How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride! How much better is thy love than wine! And the fragrance of thine oils than all manner of spices!

9Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck.

10How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!

Commentary · verses 9-10

Now the shepherd said that her love was better than wine, fragrant oils, and all spices.

11Thy lips, O my bride, drop as the honeycomb: Honey and milk are under thy tongue; And the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

12A garden shut up is my sister, my bride; A spring shut up, a fountain sealed.

13Thy shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits; Henna with spikenard plants,

11Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

12A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.

13Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,

Commentary · verses 11-13

He compared her to a garden and rejoiced in her fruit (effects). The word "orchard" also referenced a paradise.

14Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; Myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.

15Thou art a fountain of gardens, A well of living waters, And flowing streams from Lebanon.

14Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

15A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.

Commentary · verses 14-15

Next, the bride responded...

16Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; Blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, And eat his precious fruits.

16Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

Commentary · verse 16

She accepted all that he stated. She wanted to give him the effects he desired: spices flowing out of the garden and him eating the "fruit" of the garden.

This day's reading covered the first half of the Song of Solomon. Solomon had taken the Shulamite woman back to his palace in order to convince her to marry him.

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