Song Of Songs 6

CHAPTER 6

Love’s Longings (6:1–13)

1–3 The beloved and her lover are still separated. Friends ask the bride where her husband has gone. She replies that he has gone down to his garden . . . to browse . . . and to gather lilies¹² (verse 2). Then, in verse 3, she assures her friends that she and her lover still belong to each other (see Song of Songs 2:16). Their hearts are not separated; their love is still strong!¹³

4–10 Some time has passed since the wedding night; here the husband (the lover) again praises the beauty of his bride¹⁴ (see Song of Songs 4:1–7). In spite of separation and misunderstanding, his admiration and love for her has not diminished. She is unique; she is above all other queens, concubines and virgins¹⁵—so much so that even they praise and bless her (verses 8–10).

11–13 These verses are difficult to interpret. The husband appears to be expressing a desire for his bride (verse 12). The husband’s friends call for the bride to come back, but she asks them why they would want to gaze on her¹⁶ (verse 13). The bride appears reluctant to return; will her lover accept her back? She receives the answer in the next chapter.