Song Of Songs 2
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CHAPTER 2
The Beloved Responds (2:1–7)
1–7 The beloved is in her lover’s arms. She describes him as an apple tree, providing her with shade and food, protection and strength (verse 3). She is in a banquet hall7 —a “house” of love (verse 4). His love for her is like a banner; it can be seen by all.
The young woman’s desire is so intense that she feels faint—an experience common to many young women in love! But she doesn’t want less love, she wants more—raisins and apples (verse 5). She started by desiring her lover’s kisses; now she desires his embraces (verse 6).
But just as she feels she is losing control of her emotions, she calls out (figuratively) for help:Let not her passion, her sexual love, be aroused until it is truly ready, until the time is right (verse 7). Our modern secular culture seeks to arouse “love” in false and sinful ways. Even back in Solomon’s day, these lovers sensed how easy it would be to spoil the purity and beauty of their love.
A Springtime Visit (2:8–17)
8–13 In verse 7, the lovers have realized that they must restrain their passion; they are not yet married. Therefore, here in verse 8, we see that they are no longer together. However, the young woman is still yearning for her lover.
In these verses, Solomon appears to make a visit to the young woman’s house;8 this takes place in the springtime.
14–15 The lover desires that his beloved not hide from him, like a dove hiding in the clefts of the rock (verse 14). Perhaps the beloved has withdrawn from her lover for fear of losing control of her emotions (see verse 7).
It is not clear who is speaking in verse 14; it could be either the lover or the beloved. Either way, concern is expressed about the little foxes—that is,the impulses and temptations that might cause the lovers to defile their love, to ruin their vineyards that are in bloom. The lovers appeal for outside help—perhaps from the “daughters of Jerusalem”—to catch these “foxes.”
16–17 Here the beloved reassures her lover that she belongs exclusively to him and he to her.9 She is ready for him to “browse” among the lilies—that is, to enjoy her charms.