Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:2
As the lily among thorns, so [is] my love among the daughters.
2. Solomon replies, turning her modest comparison into an exaltation of her above the ladies of the palace by saying, “My friend is indeed a lily and she is out of place, but only because the palace ladies are as thistles in comparison.” Chach is perhaps a thistle here. Tristram, Fauna and Flora of Palestine, p. 336, says it is Notobasis Syriaca, a peculiarly strong and noxious thistle. But probably chach meant many plants, and that the word does not always mean a thistle is shewn by its use in Pro 26:9, “as a chach that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,” where something of the nature of a brier must be intended. Cp. also the parable of Jehoash in 2Ki 14:9.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The king resumes, taking up the brides comparison: As the lily excels in beauty the thorny shrubs among which it grows, so my friend excels her companions.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Son 2:2
As the lily among thorns, so is My love among the daughters.
The lily among thorns
I. First, I think my text very beautifully sets forth the relation of the Church and of every individual to Christ. He styles her, My love. An exquisitely sweet name; as if His love had all gone forth of Him, and had become embodied in her.
1. The first point, then, of her relation to Christ is that she has His love. Think of it, and let the blessed truth dwell long and sweetly in your meditations. Each one of us may rejoice in the title under which our Lord addresses us–My love. This love is distinguishing love, for in its light one special object shines as a lily, and the rest, the daughters are as thorns. Observe that this is a love which He openly avows. The Bridegroom speaks and says before all men, As a lily among thorns, so is My love among the daughters. He puts it upon record in that Book which is more widely scattered than any other, for He is not ashamed to have it published on the housetops. He declares it that His adversaries may know it, that He hat h a people in whom HIS heart delights, and these He will have and hold as His own when heaven and earth shall pass away. This love, wherever it has been revealed to its object, is reciprocated;, If the Lord has really spoken home to your soul and said, I have loved thee, your soul has gladly answered, This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend; yea, He is altogether lovely.
2. Next, she bears His likeness. Notice the first verse of the chapter, wherein the Bridegroom speaks–I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. He is the lily, but His beloved is like Him; for He applies His own chosen emblem to her–As the lily among thorns, so is My love among the daughters. Notice that He is the lily, she is as the lily, that is to say, He has the beauty and she reflects it; she is comely in His comeliness, which He puts upon her. Note, too, that He who gave the beauty is the first to see it. While they are unknown to the world Jesus knows His own. Loves eyes are quick, and her ears are open. Love covers a multitude of faults, but it discovers a multitude of beauties. Let His condescending discernment have all honour for this generous appreciation of us. Let us bless and love Him because He deigns to think so highly of us who owe everything to Him. Thou art, saith He, My love, as the lily. It is evident that the Lord Jesus takes delight in this beauty, which tie has put upon His people. He values it at so great a rate that He counts all rival beauties to be but as thorns.
3. Bringing out still further the relationship between Christ and His Church, I want you to notice that her position has drawn out His love. As the lily, saith He, among thorns, so is My love. He spied her out among the thorns. She was at the first no better than a thorn herself; His grace alone made her to differ from the briars about her; but as soon as ever lie had put His life and His grace into her, though she dwelt among the ungodly, she became as a lily, and He spied her out. The thorn-brake could not hide His beloved. As the lily among thorns wears also another meaning. Dr. Thompson writes of a certain lily, It grows among thorns, and I have sadly lacerated my hand in extricating it from them. Nothing can be in higher contrast than the luxuriant, velvety softness of this lily and the withered, tangled hedge of thorns about it. Ah, beloved, you know who it was that in gathering your soul and mine, lacerated not His hand only, but His feet, and His head, and His side, and His heart, yea, and His inmost soul.
4. Yet once more, I think many a child Of God may regard himself as still being a lily among thorns, because of his afflictions. Certainly the Church is so, and she is thereby kept for Christs own, If thorns made it hard for Him to reach us for our salvation, there is another kind of thorn which makes it hard for any enemy to come at us for our hurt. Our trials and tribulations, which we would fain escape from, often act as a spiritual protection: they hedge us about and ward off many a devouring foe. Sharp as they are, they serve as a fence and a defence.
II. Our text is full of instruction as to the relationship of the Church and each individual believer to the world–The lily among thorns.
1. First, then, she has incomparable beauty. As compared and contrasted with all else she is as the lily to the thorn-brake. The thorns are worthless, they flourish, and spread, and cumber the ground, but they yield no fruit, and only grow to be cut down for the oven. Alas, such is man by nature, at his best. As for the lily, it is a thing of beauty and a joy for ever; it lives shedding sweet perfume, and when it is gathered its loveliness adorns the chamber to which it is taken. So does the saint bless his generation while here, and when he is taken away he is regarded with pleasure even in heaven above as one of the flowers of God. He will ere long be transplanted from among the thorns to the garden enclosed beyond the river, where the King delights to dwell, for such a flower is far too fair to be left for ever amid tangled briars.
2. In the comparison of the saint to the lily we remark that he has, like the lily, a surpassing excellence. The thorn is a fruit of the curse: it springs up because of sin. Not so the lily: it is a fair type of the blessing which maketh rich without the sorrow of carking care. The thorn is the mark of wrath and the lily is the symbol of Divine Providence. A true believer is a blessing, a tree whose leaves heal and whose fruit feeds. A genuine Christian is a living gospel, and embodiment of goodwill towards men.
3. The last point with regard to our relationship to the world is that the Church and many individual Christians are called to endure singular trials, which make them feel as the lily among thorns. That lovely flower seems out of place in such company, does it not? Christ said, Behold, I send you forth as sheep among sheep–no, no, that is my mistake, as sheep among wolves. It is a very blessed thing to be as sheep among sheep: to lie down with them under the shadow of the great rock, and feed with them in green pastures under the Shepherds eye. This is our privilege, and we ought to value it greatly, and unite with the Church and frequent its ordinances; but even then we shall, some of us, have to go home to an ungodly family, or to go out into the world to win our bread, and then we shall be as sheep among wolves. Grace struggling in loneliness is very choice in Gods esteem. If man sees thee not, O lonely believer, thou mayest nevertheless sing. Thou God seest me. The flower which blooms for God alone has a special honour put upon it, and so hath the saint whose quiet life is all for Jesus. If you are unappreciated by those around you, do not therefore be distressed, for you are honourable in the sight of God. But why doth the Lord put his lilies among thorns? It is because He works transformations, singular transformations, by their means. He can make a lily grow among thorns till the thorns grow into lilies. He can set a Christian in a godless family till first one and then another shall feel the Divine power, and shall say, We will go with you, for we perceive that God is with you. Be lilies, preach by your actions, preach by your kindness, and by your love; and I feel quite sure that your influence will be a power for good. If the Holy Spirit helps all of you to stand among your associates as lilies among the thorns, the day will come when thorns will die out, and lilies will spring up on every side: sin will be banished and grace will abound. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Christ and the believer
I. Inquire what Christ thinks of the believer.
As the lily among the thorns, so is My love among the daughters.
1. See what Christ thinks of the unconverted world. It is like a field full of briars and thorns in His eyes.
(1) Because fruitless.
(2) Because, when the Word is preached among them, it is like sowing among thorns.
(3) Because their end will be like that of thorns–they are dry and fit only for the burning.
2. See what Christ thinks of the believer. As the lily among thorns, so is My love among the daughters. The believer is like a lovely flower in the eyes of Christ.
(1) Because justified in the eyes of Christ; washed in His blood, he is pure and white as a lily.
(2) A believers nature is changed. Once he was like the barren, prickly thorn, fit only for burning–now Christ has put a new spirit in him–the dew has been given to him, and he grows up like the lily.
(3) Because so lonely in the world. Observe, there is but one lily, but many thorns. There is a great wilderness all full of thorns, and only one lonely flower. So there is a world lying in wickedness, and a little flock that believe in Jesus.
II. Inquire what the believer thinks of Christ–As the apple tree among the trees of the wood.
1. Christ is more precious than all other saviours in the eye of the believer. As a traveller prefers an apple tree to every other tree of the wood, because lie finds both shelter and nourishing food under it, so the believer prefers Christ to all other saviours. Oh! there is no rest for the soul except under that branch which God has made strong. My hearts desire and prayer for you is, that you may all find rest there.
2. Why has the believer so high an esteem of Christ?
(1) Because he has made trial of Christ.
(2) Because he sat down with great delight. (R. M. MCheyne.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
As the lily among thorns; compared with thorns, which it unspeakably exceeds in glory and beauty;
so is my love among the daughters; so far, and much more, doth my church or people excel all other assemblies or people. The title of daughter is oft given to whole nations; whence we read of the daughter of Babylon, and of Egypt, and of Edom, &c., Isa 47:1; Jer 46:11; Lam 4:21. These are Christs words, to which the spouse makes the following reply. And it is observable here, that as Christ is here represented as a shepherd, and the spouse as a country virgin, so the similitudes here used are agreeable to that estate.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. Jesus Christ to the Bride(Mat 10:16; Joh 15:19;1Jn 5:19). Thorns, equivalent tothe wicked (2Sa 23:6; Psa 57:4).
daughtersof men, notof God; not “the virgins.” “If thou art the lily ofJesus Christ, take heed lest by impatience, rash judgments, andpride, thou thyself become a thorn” [LUTHER].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
As the lily among thorns, so [is] my love among the daughters. These are manifestly the words of Christ concerning his church, whom he calls “my love”, [See comments on So 1:9]; and was his love still, though in such company, and in such an uncomfortable condition. In what sense she is comparable to a lily has been shown in So 2:1; but here she is compared to one among “thorns”: by which may be meant wicked men, comparable to thorns for their unfruitfulness and unprofitableness; for their being hurtful and pernicious to good men; and for their end, which is to be burned; especially persecutors of religion, who are very distressing to the saints who dwell among them; see 2Sa 23:6; and her being among such serves for a foil, to set off her excellency the more: and the simile is designed, not so much to observe that Christ’s lily grows among thorns, as to show that the church is as preferable to such persons as a lily is to thorns; which is justly remarked by Carolus Maria de Veil; and which sense the comparison requires, as appears by the reddition, so is “my love among the daughters”: the nations and men of the world, and even carnal professors, members of the visible church, whom she as much exceeds in beauty, grace, and fruitfulness, as the lily exceeds thorns. Ainsworth thinks the “woodbind” or “honeysuckle” is meant, which grows in thorn hedges, and is sometimes called “lilium inter spinas”, as Mercer observes; this is indeed of a sweet smell, yet very weak, and cannot support itself; and therefore twists and wraps itself about other trees, their twigs and branches, “convolvens se adminiculis quibuscunque”, as Pliny h says; hence we call it “woodbind”, and for the same reason its name in Greek is “periclymenon”; so saints are of a sweet fragrance to Christ, and, weak in themselves, cannot support themselves; yet they twine about Christ, lean on him, and are upheld by him, and depend on him for all good things. But it is the same word as in So 2:1, and may be rendered “lily” here as there; and not a “rose”, as it is in the Targum, from which it is there distinguished. The lily is often mentioned in this love song; it is said to be the delight of Verus i. Some call it “ambrosia”.
h Nat. Hist. l. 27. c. 12. i Nicander apud Athenaeum, l. 15. c. 8. p. 683.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2 As a lily among thorns,
So is my love among the daughters.
By are not meant the thorns of the plant itself, for the lily has no thorns, and the thorns of the rose are, moreover, called kotsim , and not hhohhim ;
(Note: An Aramaic proverb: “from thorns sprouts the rose” ( i.e., bad fathers have often pious children), in Heb. is ; vid., Jalkut Samuel, 134.)
besides, ben (among) contradicts that idea, since the thorns are on the plant itself, and it is not among them – thus the hhohhim are not the thorns of the flower-stem, but the thorn-plants that are around. designates the thorn-bush, e.g., in the allegorical answer of King Josiah to Amaziah, 2Ki 14:9. Simplicity, innocence, gentleness, are the characteristics in which Shulamith surpasses all , i.e., all women ( vid., Son 6:9), as the lily of the valley surpasses the thorn-bushes around it. “Although thorns surround her, yet can he see her; he sees her quiet life, he finds her beautiful.” But continuing this reciprocal rivalry in the praise of mutual love, she says:
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(2) Among the daughtersi.e., among other maidens.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. As the lily Supply But, at the beginning. By an ingenious turn the Beloved makes the Enamoured’s own words express her conspicuous charms. “But a lily, if you will have it so, yet, compared with that lily, all other damsels are but as thorns and brambles.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“As a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.”
He now tells her lovingly, that compared with all other women he has known, she is like a lily among thorns, a flowering beauty among the briars. That is how he sees her. She is ‘his pure, true love’, in contrast with them.
And in such terms God often pleaded with His people Israel (see Exo 19:5-6). He wanted them to know the love that He had for them. ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love’ (Jer 31:3), which He connected with ‘the virgin Israel’ (Jer 31:4). Indeed He would cry, ‘How can I give you up, Oh Ephraim? How shall I hand you over, Oh Israel’ (Hos 11:8). And it is as a similar kind of admirer that our Lord, Jesus Christ comes to us, as He gently whispers, ‘you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His most glorious light’ (1Pe 2:9). That is why we are to be as lights in the world, and like a city which cannot be hidden (Mat 5:14-16), revealing our spiritual beauty to the world
We have in this reference to her as a lily an indication of the significance of the continual mention of ‘feeding among the lilies’ found later (Son 2:16; Son 4:5; Son 6:3). It signifies being in her environment and among her kind of people, that is, among the people of the land, the country folk, and the humble and poor.
The YOUNG MAIDEN replies to his compliment,
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The King’s Love for His Beloved – Literal Interpretation – The king responds to the Shulamite’s description of herself in Son 2:1 as a common flower by saying that she was the most beautiful flower of them all. The lily, as do all beautiful flowers, brings great delight to those who admire it. However, the curse that God placed upon the earth bred thorns (Genesis 3; Genesis 17-19). Thus, Westwood suggests the lily among thorns could represent the righteous in the midst of a corrupt and evil world. [114] In contrast to the delight brought by the beautiful lilies, the nature of the thorn is to bring pain and discomfort to those who handle it. Zckler notes how the same parallelism in Son 2:2 of the beautiful of the lily among thorns is used by the beloved in the next verse by comparing him to an apple tree among the trees of the wood (Son 2:3). [115]
[114] John Westwood, A Short Paraphrase of the Song of Solomon (London: Simpkin, Marshall and Co., 1848), 9.
[115] Otto Zckler, The Song of Solomon, trans. by W. Henry Green, in Lange’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, ed. Philip Schaff (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1872), 61.
Figurative Interpretation The Lord acknowledges His love for the believer in his/her resurrected position in Christ.
Son 2:2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
Son 2:2
[116] Watchman Nee, Song of Songs (Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: CLC Publications, c1965, 2001), 53.
Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
But whatever obscurity is found in the former verse to whom the words belong, there can be none here. Evidently Jesus is here speaking of his church, and by a comparison with all others to point out her superiority; and in his grace, and love, he hath done it in a most gracious and blessed manner. And observe how the Lord expresseth himself: He calleth his church what he calleth himself, a lily: as if to express the oneness between them: and not only the oneness and union, but interest; for it is this which gives all the beauty and loveliness to the church, her conformity and likeness to Jesus: and by this she is distinguished among all others; for as the loveliness of the lily is made to appear more striking, when beheld in the midst of thorns; so the church of Christ and every individual believer, is found most graceful in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom they shine as lights in the world. Pause, Reader, before this verse be dismissed, and remark with me, the love and tenderness of Jesus for his church. Though she dwelleth among briars and thorns, yet is she in his eye the lily still. She hears his name – she is owned as his love, and Jesus regards her with an eye of delight, and will never leave her, until he comes to remove her from the thorns and briars of this world’s wilderness to the garner of his paradise which is above.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Son 2:2 As the lily among thorns, so [is] my love among the daughters.
Ver. 2. As the lily among the thorns. ] The lily is white, pure, and pleasant, having six leaves (and thence its name a in Hebrew), and seven golden-coloured grains within it. The 45th Psalm (of like argument with this song) is dedicated to him that excelleth upon Shoshannim, or upon this six-leaved flower, the lily. Moreover, the chief city of Persia was called Shushan, from the multitude of lilies growing there. b Here Alexander found fifty thousand talents of gold; the very stones of it are said to have been joined together with gold. c The Church is far richer, and fuller of beauty and bravery, but beset with thorns, such as Abimelech was; a right bramble indeed, that grew in the base hedge row of a concubine, and scratched and drew blood to purpose. Wicked men are called briers, Mic 7:4 thorns twisted and folded, Nah 1:10 that hurt the earth and those that handle them. Indeed, they cannot “be taken with hands,” but the “man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear.” But God shall “thrust them all away,” scil., into hell, and “they shall be utterly burnt with fire in the same place.” 2Sa 23:6-7 In the mean space, “who will set the briers and thorns against me in battle?” saith the Lord Christ, being jealous for his spouse with a great jealousy Zec 1:14 – who dare do it? “I would march against them, I would burn them together.” Isa 27:4 Sin or Sinai, a thorny place in the desert, where it rained down quails and manna from heaven, was a type of the Church flourishing in the midst of her enemies, “like a lily among thorns.”
So is my love among the daughters,
a Shoshannah.
b Schindler.
c Cassidor., lib. vii. var. eph 15.
d Aug., Epist. 48.
e Augustine.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Son 2:2
2Like a lily among the thorns,
So is my darling among the maidens.
Son 2:2 He tells her that she is much more than a common wild flower (i.e., the other maidens).
NASB, TEV,
JPSOA, NIVmy darling
NKJV, NRSVmy love
NJBmy beloved
This Hebrew word (BDB 946) means companion or associate. It is used often to describe the maiden (cf. Son 1:9; Son 1:15; Son 2:2; Son 2:10; Son 2:13; Son 4:1; Son 4:7; Son 6:4) and once for the man (cf. Son 5:2). This is obviously a term of endearment.
NASB, NRSVthe maidens
NKJVthe daughters
TEVwomen
NJBgirls
The question remains, to which group of women (BDB 123 I) is he referring:
1. harem in Jerusalem
2. chorus
3. local girls (cf. Gen 24:13; Gen 30:13) in the north
4. women at court
The more I try to read this as a unified document the more I am committed to:
1. a collection of unrelated love songs (cf. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, p. 806)
2. a northern lover in competition for the maiden of northern Israel
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
As the lily = As a lily: the shepherd, taking up her word in his reply.
thorns. See note on 2Ki 14:9.
my love = my friend. Hebrew. ra’yah. See note on Son 1:9. Feminine again, showing that it is the shepherd who is speaking.
daughters = damsels. Hebrew. banoth, feminine plural of beyn, a son.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Son 2:2-7
Son 2:3-6
THE SHULAMITE CONTRASTS HER TRUE LOVER WITH SOLOMON
“As 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.
He brought me to the banqueting house,
And his banner over me was love.
Stay ye me with raisins, refresh me with apples;
For I am sick from love.
His left hand is under my head,
And his right hand doth embrace me.”
“So is my beloved among the sons” (Son 2:3). Note that when a lover is meant, the word is not `love’ but `beloved.’ Note also that the Shulamite’s true lover is “among the sons,” a description that has no application whatever to Solomon.
Also, look at the past tense: “I sat down”; “his fruit was sweet”; “he brought me,” etc. All the scholars admit that Solomon is wooing the maiden in this book; but she mentions loving experiences with her true lover that occurred in the past. She is rejecting the king.
“He brought me to the banqueting house” (Son 2:4). When was Solomon’s palace ever called “a banqueting house.”? This is clearly a reference to some public eating place.
In the light of these considerations, we find full agreement with Balchin who wrote that these verses recall, “A meeting the maiden had with her lover.
We include here a sample of the allegorical speculations with regard to the meaning of this chapter:
“This is a poetical, allegorical representation of what takes place in the Church and in the experience of believers individually. Examples of this are seen (in the case of God’s people) when the Jews returned from the captivity in Babylon, or in the Incarnation of Christ; or, (in the case of individuals), at any time of great revival in the Church. This writer only wishes that he could see things like that here; but, truthfully, he cannot.
Illustration: This writer once watched a skilled artist painting a picture of Bryce Canyon in Utah. He used many different colors in portraying the matchless wonder of that spectacular pageant of natural beauty. A bystander said:
“I don’t see all those colors down there”! The artist looked at him sadly, and said: “Don’t you wish you could”?
Similarly, this writer would welcome the power to see such wonderful teachings in these erotic verses. And make no mistake about it, these words are extremely sensuous and erotic, as a glance at the Good News Bible translation will indicate.
“Stay ye me with raisins … I am sick from love … his left hand is under my head … etc.” (Son 2:5-6). What do these verses say?
The recall of events in her former meeting with her beloved were too taxing for the maiden. Memory brought an acute emotional climax. She appeals to the women of the harem to bring food (Son 2:5). Evidently, the love-sick maiden had not eaten properly during the period of her separation (due to the king’s bringing her into his harem).
This translation supports Bunn’s understanding of the passage: “Restore my strength with raisins, … I am weak from passion.
Son 2:7
“I 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.”
“This refrain appears four times in this book: here, and in Son 3:5; Son 5:8; and Son 8:3; and with each use of it, there is a definite break in mood and movement. It twice follows the clause, `O that his left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me.’ What does it say? “She begs the attendant maidens not to disturb their private moments of love.” Pope was sure that it could mean no such thing; “It cannot be an appeal not to be disturbed during the course of love-making. This writer believes that the Shulamite’s plea here is that the women she addresses may not awaken her desire for love in the continued absence of her lover. This would make the words, “Until he please,” carry the message, “Until he comes and rescues me.” The use of the abstract word `love’ rather than the concrete word `lover,’ as pointed out by Jordan, supports this viewpoint. “The verse refers to a false rousing of love as an emotion. It might very well be a reference to the Shulamite’s rejection of the passion arousing stimulants which members of the harem provided for the woman scheduled to be called to the king’s bed.
Exegesis Son 2:2-7
The shepherd picks up the figure used by the Shulammite and once again turns it to her advantage. He says in essence: You are indeed a lily or flower but compared to those among whom you live you are like a lovely bloom among brambles. He could be emphasizing the jealousy engendered by her beauty in his reference to thorns or brambles.
The word translated apple in the American Standard version is much better thought of as a citron tree. Apples do not grow well in the Holy Land. An orange tree seems to fit the description perfectly. Such a tree with its evergreen heavy foliage and golden fruit would indeed stand out amid the cypress, fir or cedar trees. Among the other young men so did her beloved stand out. It might be of import to notice the contrast: she is a flower, he is a tree. This is a subtle compliment on her part.
It is so refreshing to contemplate the transparent sincerity of this country lass in the affluence of Solomons palace. She turns to the women of the harem, and with the direct simplicity of youth she describes her relationship to the shepherd. In contrast to the trees with no fruit is my beloved who offers fruit and shade. The orange tree blossoms and bears fruit at the same time. Refreshment and rest amid lovely fragrance are both offered by my beloved. She takes great delight in his presence and is satisfied with what he offers her of himself.
The maiden is in the banquet room of Solomon-but she much prefers the banquet hall of her beloved. And just what would that be? A humble, but beautiful vine arbor in the midst of the vineyards. Read 1Ki 4:7; 1Ki 4:22-23; 1Ki 10:21, for a description of the gold vessels Solomon used in his feasts. A canopy was often spread above the host and principle guests at a feast and richly decorated according to the means of the former. (Clarke) Perhaps this is the banner referred to by the maid. It could be that banner is to be thought of as a standard of protection such as those used in battle. Cf. Num 1:52; Num 5:10; Num 6:4; Num 6:10; Num 10:14; Num 10:18; Num 10:23; Num 10:25. It was a rallying-point and guide to give encouragement and confidence to those on a weary march or those amid extreme conflict. So the bride, transplanted from her lowly station to new scenes of unwanted splendor, finds support and safety in the known attachment she has with her beloved. (Cook)
Are we to imagine that this bride-to-be is actually physically ill from her loss of her loved one? It is possible-she has lost her appetite and has not eaten-she is weak and in need of refreshment. Sustain me with raisin-cakes, refresh me with citrons, for I am lovesick. There was someone else who was sustained by raisin-cakes-read 1Sa 30:12 to find out who it was. Orange blossoms were once used in the East to revive the bride-much like we would use smelling salts. It is from this custom that orange blossoms have been associated with marriage. It would seem that Solomon and his court and courting made her weak and sick but not of love.
As we attempt an understanding of verse six it would seem difficult to imagine a posture for the maiden and her lover in which his left hand could be under her head and his right hand supporting her unless they were lying down. This is an obvious reference to the intimate embrace of the marriage bed, it is repeated in Son 8:3. With this kind of total involvement in the mind of the maid, Solomon has but a superficial interest for her.
The seventh verse is most interesting inasmuch as it is repeated in Son 3:5 and Son 8:4. It seems to be a faithful axiom to which we should give heed. What does it say? It is an adjuration that no attempt to kindle love by unworthy means should be made, for true love awakens spontaneously. It should owe nothing to improper stimulation by others, but be as free and unfettered as the life of the gentle creatures here mentioned. (Clarke) It would seem the ladies of the court were attempting to get her to accept the affections of the King much as they had. No doubt those members of the harem were quite proficient in the art of sex stimulation. Where such desires are aroused apart from the person for whom they are reserved disappointment and frustration is the inevitable result. Genuine love is a shy and gentle affection which dreads intrusion and scrutiny (here the reference to the gazelles and hinds, shy and timid creatures) but dangerous in its strength and vehemence, if heedlessly awakened-as strong as death and as cruel as the grave (Son 8:4-5). Be shy of love, lest, like the silly fawn that runs to look the lion in the face, one heedless gaze betray thee to thy death. (Cook)
Marriage Son 2:2-7
How could we possibly find a more practical passage for present day marriage relationship? Believe it or not you could never, never tell your wife often enough that she is the fairest of women to you. (Of course, she must have been or you would not have made her your choice.) If we look closely she will become more fair each passing day. But she will never know it until we express it-and with evident feeling! Once we convince our wife that she is indeed in our eyes all we say she is we shall not wait long for a reciprocal response from her. We can easily be a stand out winner with our wife-who else has access to her heart like her husband? Do we offer protection and refreshment? We are thinking of much more than physical protection and refreshment. A constant consistent solicitous attitude about every relationship along with planned times of mental and physical refreshment will create a genuine appetite for a repeated visit to the shade of your tree and refreshment from your hand. How easy it would be to expand on this section until we had a sizeable marriage manual. We cannot do this but we do want to say every husband (beginning with the writer) must have a banquet room for his wife-he must often lead her to it-over it all is the lovely canopy inscribed Love. We are thinking of all that nourishes-your words-which is food for the mind and heart-food also for the body, a sense of abundance in more than sharing-a total giving of self for the needs and enjoyment of your beloved.
Of all persons our wives know the meaning of verse seven. When artificial or crude means are used in a vain attempt to awaken love the results might be disastrous! If we are not willing to accept the nature of love as possessed by our wives we had best leave the lovely creature in the seclusion of her own forest. She is willing to come out, nay she wants to be found-but not with a bull horn! If courtship is not continued beyond marriage we are due to find out just how strong and cruel love can be-and we deserve it! I shall not leave here instructions on how to attract your gazelle or lure your deer. After all she belongs to you.
Communion Son 2:2-7
As much as we see in this text for help in a happy marriage we see even more in a happy relationship with our Lord. Project yourself into this dialogue: My Love to You:
As a lovely flower amid the brambles of the earth so art thou my companion to me. In the midst of the many, yea multitudes who are lost I see each and every one who is saved. I would love to transform every thorn into a flower-but I want you to know that I am looking intently, with great fond interest on you-I can also identify every bramble and its relation to you. How beautiful you appear to me. How deeply I want your constant companionship. We can hardly believe this. It is only true because in love He looks at us through grace. We Respond to His Love:
As an evergreen tree who constantly bears delicious fruit and delightful blossoms in the midst of a forest of trees with no foliage or fruit art thou to me. I have found much more than a refuge in your presence. In the contemplation of your beauty is the fullness of joy. We Advertise to Others:
Relish these words-rethink each one lest they become commonplace. In the calmness that is mine through my awareness of your love and omnipotence I delight to sit down. When I eat the words you leave me in your book they are so nourishing and sweet to my taste. The more I am willing to sit in your heavenly places the more overwhelmed I am with your abundant provisions. I find in my contemplation of just the four accounts of your love through your Life a whole expansive banquet room. The table is laiden with all my favorite food. Upon entering the room I saw emblazoned over the whole wall a banner and on it were these words-I love you.
A Warning to Those Who Might Think to Presume Upon His Love:
I adjure you by all the meekness and tenderness of the lovely One: do not push into His presence and demand He express His love for you. Foolish One! How could He more fully show you His heart?-it was pierced for you! Stay with Him until in your meditation and exchange of conversation, emotions are awakened. Praise Him and sing of Him-He is love and you shall know it.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
so is
How poor are the similes of the bride as compared with those of the Bridegroom. To Him she is a “lily among thorns; she can only say that He is “as the apple tree among the trees of the wood.”
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Isa 55:13, Mat 6:28, Mat 6:29, Mat 10:16, Phi 2:15, Phi 2:16, 1Pe 2:12
Reciprocal: 2Sa 23:6 – thorns 2Ki 14:9 – The thistle Psa 45:11 – So shall Son 1:9 – O my Son 6:1 – O thou Son 6:2 – and to Hos 14:5 – he shall
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2:2 As the lily among thorns, so [is] my {a} love among the daughters.
(a) Thus Christ prefers his Church above all other things.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Solomon responded that in comparison with the other single women, she was not common but a rare beauty.
"It is the essence of poetry that it employs symbolism to express nuances beyond the power of exact definition. This is particularly true of love poetry." [Note: Gordis, p. 37.]