SONG OF SONGS – taken primarily from Watchman Nee

  • Intro: 
  • Shulamite Bride – symbolizes individual believer (not Church as a whole, because not all Christians have a longing for spiritual affection…a bride is a mature woman of full growth, not a baby)
  • Title – 1:1 
  • belongs to Solomon: reigning monarch in great glory (type of Jesus in triumphant resurrection)…David: slew Goliath; victory of Christ through cross over Devil…Solomon: King of Peace; Jesus on throne in heaven
  • Song of Solomon: battle is already won, peace reigns
  • Bride loves Solomon for him alone: akin to Queen of Sheba first only hearing of Solomon’s great acts, later seeing him on the throne and after that, loved him for him alone.
  • Song of Solomon…progressive phases of believer’s heart toward Jesus; communion between a husband and wife.
  • “song of songs”…Solomon composed 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32)
  • Song of Songs is antithesis to Ecclesiastes (“vanity of vanities”)…Ecclesiastes speaks of life of wandering, S.S., rest from wandering…Ecc. “one can’t obtain satisfaction through knowledge alone”, S.S., man can reach satisfaction only through love…etc.

*  PART ONE: 1:2 – 2:7 INITIAL LOVE

*  Gives pattern for rest of book

*  First experiences are not deep enough…

  • 1:2-3 (intense longings)
    • kiss is different than prodigal son (symbolizing forgiveness)
    • she longs for more intimate and personal relationship with Lord
      • can’t kiss 2 people at the same time
    • kiss not on cheek (Judas) or feet (Mary)
  • 1:3…Lord Jesus is Anointed One (by Holy Spirit)
    • name means “Jehovah the Savior” (Jesus)…symbolizes death poured out which now smells sweet
    • because of who He is (ointment) and name (ointment poured forth in sacrificial love), all the virgins love Him
    • virgins – “hidden ones” of Ps. 83:3 (expressions synonymous)
    • bride is one of many virgins
  • 1:4a…I am drawn by Holy Spirit, but “we” run after (continuously pursue)…1 person receives grace, many drawn closer to God
  • 1:4b…going to king’s chambers was answer to prayer of drawing near (1:4a)
    • chambers – secret place (Ps. 91:1)…intimate room
    • King doing this marks beginning of intimate communion and revelation
    • Before we can know God as Groom, must know Him as King
    • “the upright love thee” – “In uprightness they love thee”…they love without mixed motives (1 Tim. 1:5)
  • 1:5…refers to “heavenly Jerusalem”
    • “ye daughters” – born of God
      • lack desire of Bride
    • “I am dark” – when she first enters chambers, she is conscious of native blackness (who she is by nature)
    • “but comely” – but comely in Christ
    • “Kedar” – “dark room”; “chamber”
    • “curtains of Solomon” – made of fine linen possibly, point to Rev. 19:8; curtains refer to curtains in holy temple and are symbolic of inner beauty created by presence of Lord Himself
  • 1:6…burned – accomplished fact
    • sun burned – in Jesus presence, sees she is black and doesn’t want others to see
    • look not upon me – young Christians don’t want other believers to see their nature, so they hide
    • mother’s children angry – mother is principle of promise (Gal. 4:26-28) by God’s grace…applies to all those who are saved
    • children – no intimacy, don’t know subjective experience
    • vineyards – plural; works organized and arranged by men’s hands
    • vineyard – singular; the Lord’s assigned work
  • 1:7…Bride sees vanity of system of works
    • rest at noon – perfection of rest (see Prov. 4:18) (Jesus’ passion began at noon)
    • companions –men of God (companions are Lord’s companions)
    • flocks – people following men of God, not God directly
    • turn aside – state of being confused or ashamed

*  1:8-11 – KING’S REPLY

  • 1:8…if thou know not – ought to have known, but carried away by others
    • footprints – experience of others she is to follow
    • feed – shepherd
    • kids – lambs; immature believers
    • shepherds – those who shepherd under Lord’s direction
  • 1:9-11…my love – my lover-friend
    • company of horses – very choicest horses
      • best horses came from Egypt (1 Kings 10:28-29)
  • 1:9-10…denote her natural beauty
  • 1:11…denotes beauty given (derived) by God
  • 1:9-11…natural:
    • horses – best efforts naturally; symbol for speed, her best efforts at running towards him (see 1:4) 
    • cheeks – natural beauty
    • “rows” (braided) hair – enhancements of natural beauty
    • ornamented neck – natural gentleness (bare neck would mean “stiff-necked”)
    • “we will” – what God (trinity) promises to do to her:
      • gold – divine, border – takes much time to make (something like a crown); takes place of braided hair
      • studs of silver – redemption; foundations (shows foundational work of cross to come over every aspect of her nature)

*  1:12-14 – MAIDEN SPEAKS

  • 1:12-13…Solomon’s table – rich provision, blessed with kingly presence (1 K 4:22-23; 10:5…4:27)
    • what maiden has at her disposal:
      • food of flour or meal substance – perfect manhood of Jesus
      • meat substance food – Lord’s accomplishment
        • we can be spiritually nourished and strengthened by perfect sacrifice (O.T. could eat parts of sacrifice)
    • we unite with Jesus’ death at table
      • realizing this brings forth fragrance and praise – “my spikenard…smell thereof”
      • think of Mary anointing with spikenard in anticipation of death
      • appreciation of Jesus must precede dedication of ourselves
    • well beloved – Bridegroom-Lover
    • myrrh – suffering love for Bride (Jesus offered wine with myrrh; after death, Nicodemus brought myrrh to embalm)
    • night – Solomon’s absence (Lord’s absence from earth)
    • 2 breasts – faith and love (1 Thes. 5:8)
    • king’s table – intimate communion (Passover meal)
      • needs Bride’s open door (Rev. 3:20)
  • 1:14…being clothed and adorned with Christ
    • camphire – henna-flowers (used for adornment)
    • En-gedi – David’s hiding place (in wilderness)
    • Vineyards – place of grape vines (flowers in grape vines are hidden from sight)
      • Henna-flowers – unusual to see flowers, points to Lord’s uniqueness to His loved one
    • (myrrh in bosom (v.13) – Christ hidden in affections) Christ becomes adornment – visible to world; confessing and expressing Christ to world of men
  • 1:15…first reference to beauty is for her encouragement
    • second is because she has dove’s eyes
      • doves’ eyes – spiritual perception that is beautiful to Christ; can only see one thing at a time (Mt. 6:22)…singleness of purpose

*  1:16-2:1 – MAIDEN’S REPLY

  • 1:16…green bed – for rest (Ps. 23:2); shows she is satisfied with her spiritual nourishment (if shepherds were bad, flock would never have time to rest in world (which is depicted by green))
  • 1:17…cedars – tall, stately, strong; new humanity in Christ
    • most of Solomon’s temple’s woodwork was for cedar and fir
    • fir – cypress; product of place called “Death City”, found growing in graveyards of Judea…point to death of Jesus
    • God dwells in Cedar walls and fir floors (in the temple), same as woman rests in
  • 2:1…(no break from previous verse, words spoken by maiden (next verse is by King and would not fit if this verse was also by King))
    • Sharon – plain in Judea
    • Rose – common
    • Lily of valley – unseen by men, visible by God (most likely narcissus which lies hidden in deep valleys and which is unseen by men, but visible by God)
    • Says: “I am ordinary person, yet cared for and loved by Lord”
  • 2:2…lily – Bride
    • thorns – rest of men (Gen. 3:18…spring out of accursed earth without having been sown) (Ex. 3…God didn’t use thorns); that which springs forth from natural life of man, fruit of sin (Mt. 13:7; Heb. 6:8)
    • my love – (plural) title for those who diligently seek Him

*  2:3-6 – MAIDEN’S PRAISE

  • 2:3…the sons – all that rules inward life (Gen. 3:16); what springs forth from natural life
    • apple tree – citron tree; lovely foliage, leaves don’t fall in winter…points to Christ’s uniqueness:
      • His coming into world
      • His overshadowing and shade
      • His fruit
    • tasting the fruit – taking in His works
    • Bride sat down – (1:4 – running; 1:8 – following; 1:12-14 – sitting down at table; 1:16-17 – resting in place of rest) (1:16-17 is history of her obtaining rest; 2:13 is testimony of her experience now that she is resting)
  • 2:4…banqueting house – “house of wine”; place of joy and gladness
    • brought by King – second time brought by King to experience joy (1:12); this time emphasizes her own experience; King brought her into inner chamber (1:4) for revelation, here it is for her joy
    • banner of love – hoisted by her, shows that all the believer does is out of love
  • 2:5…verbs are plural, statement meant to be general to others
    • lovesickness – being exhausted with happiness
    • maiden is sick, but Beloved Himself answers the call:
  • 2:6…left hand under head – infers she would look up at Him, but needs His help
    • idea here is protection and support of His love; emphasis on supporting strength that comes from derived from intimate association

*  2:7 – KING’S CHARGE

  • 2:7…wants her to keep silent (Hab. 2:20; Zeph. 3:17)
    • roes are of gazelle family
    • “my” not found in Hebrew text
    • “he” should read “she” (or, better still, “it”)
    • King speaks with authority here (as is His character)
    • Daughters of Jerusalem – those fond of ecstatic moods and given to meddling

* summary of first section: “CHRIST FOR ME”  1) sees value of Cross, but not full reality of resurrection life; 2) danger is being overindulgent in form of inward communion which leaves her exhausted; 3) submission to Cross and true meaning of dedication is still unknown to her; 4) She only realizes how precious Lord has been to her (only been on receiving end)

*  PART TWO: 2:8 – 3:5 FALTERING LOVE

*  2:8–2:15 – CALL TO ESCAPE FROM SELF

*  4 THINGS BROUGHT TO ATTENTION OF BRIDE

*  1) POWER OF RESURRECTION LIFE:

  • 2:8-9…roe (gazelle) or a young hart – refers to title of Psalm 22 (literally, “according to the hind of the morning”
    • morning – refers to resurrection; Jesus resurrected in morning (beginning of day/ new life)
    • mountains and hills – difficulties (Acts 2:35 – footstool)
    • behind our wall – before, woman only knew closed communion, but not much about ministry and spiritual warfare and sinning men, etc. (like Peter in Mark 9:5), but now it is resurrection power she must know
    • Lord standing – ready for action
    • Wall – shut out world…bad thing

*  2) BOUNTIFULNESS OF RESURRECTION LIFE

  • 2:10-13…come away – come with God out of confined space
    • winter – gloomy, cold, not conducive to life (time of testing, being brought to death, little to cheer, focus of part one)
    • rain – bad rain, leads to snow and hail; indicates winter conditions upon soul (Gen. 6;7; Matt. 7:25,27)
    • flowers – adornment of beauty (ground)…she should stand on res. ground
    • birds – voice of happy song (sky)…she should stand on res. Ground
      • Matt. 6 – flowers and birds are objects of God’s special care, send heavenly message
    • Voice of turtle (dove) – voice of praise emphasizes love rather than sweetness
    • Fig tree – has winter fruit which remains on branches until spring (endured winter)

*  3) CALL OF THE CROSS

  • 2:14…dove – before, addressed with dove eyes, now, is dove (ideal state)
    • clefts of the rock (“the rock that was cleft”) – conformity with death for resurrection life (Phil. 3:10)
    • see…hear… – all actions of Bride must be stamped with cross (his cross must become our cross)
    • sweet voice – prayers, praise
    • sweet voice…comely countenance – only like this when hidden in the rock
    • secret places of stairs – ascension (Col. 3:3-4); steep climb, requires endurance and struggle

*  4) REMOVAL OF HINDERANCES

  • 2:15…vines – (2:13 – from Beloved) bear fruit of spiritual life, comes from Beloved
    • let us catch the foxes – command…big foxes go after fruit, little foxes snap branches
      • with little foxes, not chance to bear fruit
    • vines…tender grapes – blossoms appear after fruit is formed, so they were out; blossoms give forth sweet fragrance when the fruit is young, shows promise of the young fruit
    • little foxes – small appearance of old life (not necessarily grave sins, Ecc. 10:1), try to destroy fruits before fully undergoing res. life
      • King and Bride must work together to destroy the little foxes (look at who is talking)

*  2:16-3:5 – FAILURE AND RESTORATION

  • 2:16…Bride’s focus is still on herself (she is her beloved’s)
    • feeds among lilies – lilies are people with dedicated and pure hearts toward Beloved; they are the planting of Lord Himself (Ps. 45 is song of lily or pure love); she is saying that she is a lily and the Lord feeds her in a special way…focus is on her
  • 2:16-17…shadows – admits there were shadows in her life
    • she realizes she is far short of being perfect Bride
    • turn – she didn’t leave wall with him, so wanted to stay comfy and Him to turn
      • God left the woman while she still wanted to wait in the walls of her experience, yet she didn’t realize that when He left she would lose her comfort
  • 2:17…Christ is absent, because woman doesn’t follow
  • 3:1…different “night” than 1:13 (night is plural here)
    • Beloved gone many nights
  • 3:1-2…three times seeks recovery of sensible feelings of His presence (inside walls; even though she thinks she’s seeking him)
  • 3:2…arise – toward Son (prodigal was toward father; Luke 15:18)
    • in 3:1 she sought from bed (stayed in place)
      • from her bed, not His
    • city – Jerusalem; heavenly place
  • 3:3…watchmen – guarded city in darkness (Heb. 13:17)
    • most they could do is point to Lord (Bride had to walk past them in v. 4)
  • 3:4…period of trial and testing concluded (Eze 47 – brought through measured water)
    • wouldn’t let go – didn’t give Him freedom fully yet
    • mother’s house – system of grace
    • chamber of conception – love of God
  • 3:5…God wants to deal with her individually

*  PART THREE: 3:6 – 5:1 GROWING LOVE

*  3:6-4:6 – THE NEW CREATION

  • 3:6…Holy Spirit speaking through Jerusalem inhabitants as they see procession:
    • Q: Who is distant cloud of smoke?
      • Smoke comes from fire (Joel 2:30)
        • Fire = Holy Spirit
    • pillar – strength, dependability (Rev. 3:12)
    • myrrh – fragrance of Christ’s death (Phil. 3:10)
    • frankincence – resurrected Jesus (with special reference to intercessory life of prayer as living High Priest
    • merchant – Jesus (Matt. 13:45)
  • 3:7-8 – answers question posed in verse 6
    • bed – rest (used at night), belongs to King
    • men with swords – prepared for any attack
  • 3:9-10 – 2nd answer to question of verse 6
    • chariot – used by Solomon during day, movement in fellowship with friends
    • chariot – held by others, same as ark of covenant…movements of Jesus borne by those who are alive with His life (and belong to Him)
    • cedar – wood; human nature (cedar is superior)
    • silver pillars – grace of redemption
    • floor of gold – ground of movement derived from God
    • purple seat – Lord is King, moves with kingly authority
  • 3:11…crown – crown of crowns from mother because of marriage union
    • crown is crown of joy (1 Thes. 2:19)
    • mother – probably symbolizes human race (as Jesus was born of God and Mary)
  • 4:1a…reiterates praise of 1:15 by Christ
  • 4:1b…eyes – perception; single vision
  • 4:1c…hair – consecration and obedience (Numbers 6)
    • hair – covering (1 Cor. 11) in women’s hair; subjection (same meaning as Num. 6)
    • goats – sacrifice; white
    • Mt. Gilead – well fed; nourished (Jer. 50:19; Micah 7:14)
  • 4:2…teeth – chew food (food given by God)
    • sheep – graze on pasture; know what is good and bad to eat
    • wool – carnal life (priests couldn’t wear in Lev. 16)
    • washed…shorn – rid of unsuitable things for Christ-life
    • twins – orderliness (for chewing)
  • 4:3a…lips – express what has been received by Lord
    • scarlet – 1) redemption (Josh. 2:21) or 2) authority (Mt. 27:28-29)…our lips need to go through the process of redemption by submission to the authority of Christ the King…they effect the food our teeth chew…much different than Psalm 12:4
  • 4:3b…temples – “cheeks”, display our beauty and emotions clearest
    • piece – not whole…has been opened and exposed
    • pomegranate – fullness of life (has many seeds, each is juicy)
    • within locks – beauty of believer veiled to world
  • 4:4…neck – will of man (Is. 3:16)
    • neck of spouse – will in submission to Lord’s will
    • neck like tower – not hunchback (Lk. 13:11-16)…set free
    • neck like tower – steadfastness and upwardness of outlook
      • no longer looks at earth
    • of David – bulwark of defense
      • David was man after God (Acts 13:22)
      • Storehouse of weapons; defensive (bucklers and shield)
    • 1,000 – sufficiency of armor
    • mighty man – invulnerable position secured by Lord
  • 4:5…breasts – seat of emotions
    • 2 parts of chest (faith and love)
    • young roe – timid, shy, easily frightened; extremely nimble
      • symbolizes sacred and spiritual affections we keep for Lord
        • they need to be guarded with care or lose function
    • twins – faith and love should grow together identically
      • Gal. 5:6; 1 Tim. 1:5,14; Philemon 5
    • lilies – good environment; nurture, holiness, God’s promises
  • 4:6…after King’s praise, she only has a short word and subdued spirit
    • she fully realizes present limited state
    • until daybreak…shadows flee – statement anticipating future
      • she had shadows in present
        • more you abide in light, you recognize darkness

*  4:7-15 – CALL TO HEAVENLIES

  • 4:7-8…King’s call to her
  • 4:7…ALL fair – compare 4:1
  • 4:8…come away with me – urgency (repeats twice)
    • Lebanon – new, elevated position with scented cedar trees
    • High mountains – leaving earth from heavenly position
    • Three peaks – idea of enlargement
    • Amana – “confirmation” or “truth” (think of: “amen” – “so be it”)
    • Shenir – flexible armor (we need it…Eph. 6)
    • Hermon – destruction; victory of Cross against Satan
      • Eph. 1 and 2 talk about heavenlies…Eph. 6:12 shows presence of enemy (must experience 1 and 2 before realizing 6)
    • lions – roaring (frighten); leopards – appetites (devour)
      • in heavenlies we come to enemy’s hideout
    • spiritual warfare: position to be taken, vision granted!
  • 4:9…sister, spouse – first time King calls her this
    • sister – Heb. 2:11; Abraham and Isaac married half-sisters
    • ravished heart with eyes – Jesus looking at Peter and his heart melting; spiritual perception
    • chain on neck – obedience (Prov. 1:9…obedience to divine precepts)

*  4:10-15 – INNER RELATIONSHIP

  • 4:10…love – really a thank you for the love God showed through His sending His Son, it is through the Son (we don’t fully understand it (S.S. 1:2)) (David is type for Lord in 1 Sam. 20:41)
    • smell of ointments – Holy Spirit (Psalm 133:2)
    • fragrance – invisible
  • 4:11a…honey – takes long time to make
  • 4:11b…under tongue – inner storage
    • honey – represents that which strengthens weakness
    • milk – represents that which builds up what is young and tender
  • 4:11c…garments – outward attitude
    • Lebanon – spiritual elevation
  • 4:12…garden – singular,; God’s original thought (Gen. 1-2)
    • produces something for beauty and pleasure
    • inclosed – she was exclusively for God’s pleasure
      • see Numbers 19:15
      • chaste; pure 
  • 4:13-14…plants – “sprouts”, “shoots”; she is now full of power
    • her power is from resurrection life (see Aaron’s budding rod)
    • pomegranates – developed fruits
    • plants and trees – emphasis on color or fragrance; shows spiritual maturity
    • all (x2) – fully pleasing (2 Cor. 9:8; Col. 1:9-11)
    • fruits – fruit of the Spirit
    • fragrance – blessings and grace of Spirit
  • 4:15…well – stores living water (Jn. 4:11…”depth”)
    • fountain – energetic and continuous outflow
    • waterflows from Lebanon – Holy Spirit power from ascension (Jn. 16:7)

*  4:16-5:1 – LIFE OF LOVE

  • 4:16 (bride speaking)…north wind – chilly, cold
    • south wind – pleasurable
      • shows that experiences don’t matter anymore, fragrance will still smell good (Phil. 4:12; 1:20)
    • winds – Holy Spirit through varying circumstances
    • “my garden” becomes “his garden”
  • 5:1 (King speaking)…my garden – belongs to Lord
    • bride had to consistently intreat Lord to come before He came
    • my – He says this 8 different times
      • only true Bride’s possessions can be used by Lord (Deut. 23:18)
    • friends and beloved – 3 persons of Trinity
      • God alone receives fruit of a believer’s life

*  PART FOUR: 5:2-7:13 TRANSFORMING LOVE

*  5:2-6:3 – FURTHER CHALLENGE OF CROSS

  • 5:2…I sleep – she is resting (cross dealt with fleshly energy) (Gal. 2:20)
    • heart waketh – awake/alert inwardly (Gal. 2:20)
    • dewey head, etc. – agony in Garden of Gethsemane (Is. 53:3; Luke 22:44)
      • God became despiser of Son (shame) (Is. 53:3b-4), see Col. 1:24
    • my sister – divine life within her; my love – knowledge of God’s purpose; my dove – Holy spirit present; my undefiled – holiness, chastity, dedication of life
  • 5:3a (her response)…put off coat – Cross has already stripped away outer layer of life (negative aspect of Cross)
    • how shall I put it on – why must I take this shame of cross?
  • 5:3b…washed feet – dirt of earth cleansed
    • (she knew good effects of cross, but not all of Phil. 3:10)
  • 5:4-5…hand on door – Jesus calling her/helping her to deeper place
    • (all spiritual experiences outcome of Lord’s drawing)
    • hands and fingers…myrrh – power and fragrance of Lord’s death
  • 5:6…for mature believer, discipline follows after act of obedience
    • her seeking was in the presence of God (not street)
  • 5:7…watchmen now sought her (she had new beauty)
    • got rebuke from them (Ps. 69:26)
      • she could cry out Ps. 69:20
    • took away veil – no end to her suffering (seemingly)
      • wanted help from friends, but turned out like Job
  • 5:8…sought help from those spiritually less mature
    • she says: “I have failed.  If possible, please pray for me.”
    • I am sick of love – “I am sick with love”
  • 5:9…daughters of Jerusalem ask:
    • (they saw her spiritual beauty)
    • (when Bride talks about groom, it is to others, but Groom is only to Bride)
  • 5:10…white – separation from sinners; ruddy – good health (1 Sam. 16:12)
    • chief among 10,000 – banner of His people (Is. 59:19)
  • 5:11a…head…fine gold – possessed God’s glory (Col. 2:9)
  • 5:11b…black as raven – everlasting vigor and power (gray hair is sign of losing power (see Hosea’s description of Ephraim)) (Heb. 13:8)
  • 5:12…eyes – Bride was close enough to stare into eyes
    • dove – Holy Spirit
    • rivers of waters – shining sparkle/ tender affection
    • washed with milk – His inward thoughts were so pure they had purifying effect on her
  • 5:13a…(Is. 50:6)(Mt. 27:30); only believer sees cheeks’ beauty
  • 5:13b…lilies – kingly glory (Mt. 6:28-29)
    • lips – words (Jn. 7:46; Luke 4:22; Ps. 45:2)
  • 5:14a…rings – same word as 1 Kings 6:34…aim never fluctuates off course; purpose never lost
    • gold – divinity
    • beryl – (Ez. 1:16; Dan. 10:6) firm establishment
  • 5:14b…belly – seat of emotions (same word as 5:4)
    • ivory – from elephant’s tusk; product of pain; His love came from sufferings unto death as “sin-bearer”
    • sapphires – carvings of beautiful craftsmanship; many facets of feelings
      • heavenly clearness (Ex. 24:10)
  • 5:15a…feet – walk or movement
    • legs – power to stand
    • marble – same word used for ”fine linen”, inherent righteousness
    • pillars – stability 
  • 5:15b…heavenly character
    • excellent as cedars – shows elevated character
  • 5:16a…mouth – literally means “plate of taste”, similar to 2:3
    • Jesus tasted from God before giving to us
  • 5:16b…she knew Him well enough to say this
  • 6:1…daughters of Jerusalem ask
  • 6:2…only after relating glorious description of Him did she know where He was
    • garden – her own spiritual affections (4:12,16;5:1)
      • she had revelation that He never left, but was within (Rom.10:8)
    • (steps of her recovery: 1) spoken description and appreciation of God; 2) talked to other believers about Lord)
    • gardens – lives of other, less mature saints (?)
    • beds of spices – cheeks; lilies – pure flower of life first derived from Him
  • 6:3…she realized that feelings change, but covenant unchangeable (compare 2:16)
    • feeding among lilies – leading/feeding flock in pure places
    • she learned to look only on unchanging Lord

*  6:4-13 – LIFE WITHIN THE VEIL

  • 6:4…looks at her in light of heavenly sanctuary
    • Tirzah – “delight”; King’s residential palace
    • Jerusalem – chosen vessel God manifests glory; center of activity (Rev. 21:2)
    • Terrible – fearful…in war, need weapons; in victory, a banner
      • Victory over Satan
  • 6:5a…shows how strong her love for God is
    • turn away eyes from me – (Mark 7:26-29; Jn. 11:6; Ex. 32:10; Gen. 32:26)
      • move designed to challenge return affection of love
  • 6:5b-7…hair – strength of dedication (Nazarite)
    • echoes 4:1-3
      • shows: 1) love of Lord never changes; 2) believers may need to be taught same thing over and over
  • 6:8…Lord desires to possess all believers in fullest, purest, intimate relationship
    • queens, concubines, virgin – individual relationships differ though
  • 6:9…only those who satisfy Lord called “one” (special company of believers)
    • dove – singleness of eye for Christ
    • undefiled – completely separated unto Him
    • choice one – not only believer saved by grace, but choice one
    • daughters…queens…praised – believers who are not at same spiritual level still can see those who are
  • 6:10…Holy spirit speaking this through third party
    • morning – “daybreak” in 2:17…no more shadows
    • Prov. 4:18; high noon is the goal for believer
    • Fair as moon – its radiance and beauty
      • Bride reflects greater light of God to darkness of world (Psalm 89:37)
    • clear as sun – absence of gloom, fullness of heavenly light
  • 6:11 (shows humility)…nuts – Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15)
    • pomegranates – fruits from other believers
  • 6:12…Ammi-nadib – “my people of a willing heart” (Ps. 110:3)
  • 6:13…Shullamite – person of peace (Bride)
    • two armies – Gen. 32:2, answer given in form of a dance (“company” = “dance”)
      • Ex. 15:20; 1 Sam. 18:6, dance was expression of victory
    • two – witness; testimony

*  7:1-9a – THE WORKMANSHIP OF GOD

  • 7:1…prince’s daughter – nobility; royal line
    • shoes – gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15)
    • jewels – precious (referring to evangelism in her eyes)
    • thighs – strength to do Lord’s work (Gen. 32:25)
    • workman – God
  • 7:2…speak of her inwardly
    • liquor – “mixed wine”; blood of Jesus
    • heap of wheat – flesh
      • knows inward satisfaction of flesh and blood
    • wheat…lilies – received with pure faith
  • 7:3…they are developed so she can feed others
  • 7:4a…ivory – suffering
    • she will be obedient to Lord even to death
  • 7:4b…pool – opened to light of heaven (different than dark well)
    • openness and purity
    • Heshbon – “clever” or “understanding” 
    • Bathrabbim – daughter of large company (Spirit is advanced from average believer)
  • 7:4c…nose not mentioned yet because not ripeness and fullness
    • nose – inner discernment
      • of Lebanon – in realm concerned with fragrance and purpose of God
  • 7:5a…Carmel – Elijah acted for God in God’s presence (place where he battled with all that was of Baal, showing victory of Lord over everything false and evil; it was place where his mighty prayers were heard and answered by fired from heaven)
    • head – knowledge and understanding of above (Elijah’s victories)
  • 7:5b…purple – throne authority
    • hair – dedication
    • King held – prayers are answered
  • 7:6…Lord agrees with Holy Spirit here (in song)
  • 7:7…palm tree – tall and straight, the Lord Himself (Eph. 4:13)
    • roots in touch with deep fountain of living water; fruits still grow in hot, tropical climates
    • breasts…grapes – feeding others/ full fruit
  • 7:8-9a…He had something to take hold of (compare with 2:3)
    • citrons – have to eat to smell their goodness
      • Jesus = citrons
    • mouth like wine – had taste for world to come (Heb. 6:5)
      • (Jn. 2:10; Mt. 26:29) “wine” = future

*  7:9b-13 – CO-WORKER WITH THE LORD

  • 7:9b…she and husband have tasted future glory together (“wine”)
  • 7:9c…sleep – rest from sin and self (see 5:2)
  • 7:10…attention focused on Beloved’s pleasure
  • 7:11a…they were moving together into the work
  • 7:11b…villages – plural; being pilgrim with Lord (not citizen)
  • 7:12a…vineyards – concerned with others’ fruits
    • in beginning, focus on own vineyard (1:6)
    • let us get up early – industrious character (Eph. 5:16)
  • 7:12b…searched for life and fruitage
  • 7:12c…there – domain of God’s work in world
    • she can manifest her love in His works (unlike Martha)
  • 7:13a…mandrakes – love plant; most intimate union (Gen. 30:14-16)
  • 7:13b…gates – that which was near at hand
    • different fruits – variety unlike before (Gal. 5:22-23)

*  PART FIVE: 8:1-14 MATURE LOVE

*  8:1-4 – GROANING FOR BODILY RELEASE (like Romans 8:22-23)

  • 8:1…in Jewish culture it was only acceptable in public for brother and sister to kiss (not husband and wife)
    • she feels limitations to show her love
  • 8:2…when perfection comes (Gal. 4:26)
  • 8:3…she’ll be in His full embrace then
  • 8:4…she doesn’t want others to offer fleshly hands to interfere 

*  8:5-14 – PREPARATION FOR SECOND COMING

  • 8:5…second time mention about her coming from wilderness (first was 3:6, began union with Lord)
    • wilderness – spiritual poverty/wandering (inner/spiritual) or the world with trials (outer/physical)
      • cross does away with inner; second coming does away with outer
    • leaning upon her beloved – instead of natural strength (like Jacob)
    • mother – grace (Gal. 4:26)
    • tree same as in 2:3; symbol of Christ
      • reminder of true origin
  • 8:6…all hope focused on Lord himself
    • heart – seat of love
    • arm – where strength lies
      • compared with 3:4
      • wanted permanent place in Lord’s heart and knowledge of his security
        • like priests with stones on breastplates and shoulders
    • strong as death – nothing can change death
    • jealousy – Ex. 20:5; 2 Cor. 11:2
    • fire – Heb. 12:29
  • 8:7…1 Cor. 13:1-3, can’t win love by increased service; can only offer yourself (Ro. 12:2)
  • 8:8…remembered others who wanted to dwell in the love
    • little sister – believer with measure of light, but immature with faith and love
    • developed Bride goes directly to groom about little sister
    • we – shows complete unity with God
  • 8:9…wall – something of God; separates her from world as wall does
    • palace of silver – all that is derived of redemption
      • says: “if there be something of God in her, then we can give all of redemption”
    • door – witness for others to enter true knowledge of God
    • we – I with help of your example (1 Cor. 11:1)
    • cedar – heavenly life of Christ
  • 8:10…she views self as set apart for Lord Himself
    • favour – [peace]
    • points that she is in Beloved’s eyes
  • 8:11…points to handing out rewards according to labor
    • vineyard – whole work of Lord
    • Baal-hamon – “Lord of a multitude”
    • 1,000 silver – increase from Lord (different than Mt. 25; Lk 19); what is due the Lord Himself (if we worked in full maturity He would actually receive it)
  • 8:12…singles out self from company of many
    • she had her own vineyard (Gen. 13:9…she could do as she pleased with it)
    • she served out of love and duty (most only serve out of duty)
  • 8:13…gardens – Lord doesn’t just dwell with her garden
    • they listened more now (sign of maturity)
      • would only move now by hearing God first (Mt. 7:7)
  • 8:14…identical with 2:17; mention of 2 returns:
    • 2:17…return to fellowship (to get rid of darkness)
    • 8:14…return of second coming (mountains of spices not Bether, as mentioned before)
      • spices – fragrance and beauty
  • make haste – come quickly Lord (plead)