The Kind of Man Every Woman Wants

He again describes her breasts "like two fawns" (cf. 4:5). They are soft and attractive, enticing him to pet them. Her neck (7:4) is an ivory tower (cf. 4:4). She is majestic, stately, a confident and dignified lady. Her eyes are beautiful, pure and refreshing (cf. 1:15; 4:1), like the Moabite city of Heshbon (cf. Num 21:25), a city known for its reservoirs. The location of Bath-rabbim is unknown, though it is possible that the gate in Heshbon led to the pools. Her nose is "like the tower of Lebanon looking toward Damascus." She is strong in character and there is a genuine sense in which he draws strength and security from her. He may also be saying "her nose complements and sets off her facial beauty" (Garrett, Proverbs, 422).

Her "head crowns [her] like Mount Carmel" (v. 5). The Carmel range was considered one of the most beautiful in all of Palestine. She is beautiful and remarkable, majestic and awesome (cf. Isa 35:2; Jer 46:18). Her hair is "like purple [or deep red] cloth," and her husband is "held captive" by its beauty. He has been ensnared by her. A king has been captured. The more he knows her, the greater is her hold on him.

Solomon summarizes his detailed description of Shulammite by again telling her how beautiful she is (cf. 7:1). This forms something of an inclusio to his song of praise in this section. It adds weight and emphasis 157to his declaration of her beauty. He then tells her "how pleasant" she is, "my love, with such delights!"

This wife is beautiful in his eyes and she pleases him. Her delights—note the plural—are many, some of which he just listed. Garrett points out this verse is best read as "daughter of delights" (i.e., "delightful woman") (Proverbs, 422). Everything about her, every detail, every particular of her person, is a delight, a joy, a blessing to his soul. The more he knows her the more he loves her.

Noting that it is the king who is speaking and in view here, George Schwab says, "Before the charms of the formidable lady, the otherwise sovereign ruler is held fast and helpless.... It is because she is so delightful that she captivates the king" ("Song," 419). This is a remarkable lady indeed. She is not the same shy and insecure girl we first met in 1:5-7. The love of her king has transformed her!

Song of Songs 7:7-10

In recent years research on marriage and family has revealed some interesting facts. To a secular-minded culture the conclusions proved surprising. To those of us committed to a biblical worldview, what was discovered was not surprising at all. It was found that "the most emotionally and physically satisfying sex was between committed partners." Furthermore, "emotional and physical satisfaction from sex increases with sexual exclusivity, with emotional investment in the relationship, and a longtime horizon for the relationship" (Greeley, "Privileging").

The husband and wife in the Song of Songs would say to us, "We already knew this! We learned this in the real life laboratory of marriage, and what a joy it is to share what we learned." A persistent passion for your mate is a healthy tonic for a happy, growing relationship. So as you move forward growing old together, keep a couple of things in mind.

Solomon compares his wife to a stately, swaying palm tree (v. 7). It would seem she has continued her seductive dance and he is mesmerized. He also tells her that "her breasts are clusters of fruit." They are an attractive, sweet, and tasty fruit that he finds irresistible. In verses 8-9 he quickly and passionately expresses his desires for her: "I said, 'I will climb the palm tree and take hold of its fruits.'" He then adds, "May 158your breasts be like clusters of grapes, and the fragrance of your breath like apricots [or 'apples']. Your mouth is like fine wine." Everything about her entices him. Their love has not grown stale.

It is time for the dance to end and lovemaking to begin (again). Solomon has watched his wife dance naked before him as long as he can. His passion for her is at a fever pitch and he tells her so. He is picturesque in his description of her, but he is also direct in his desire for her. Her body, her breasts, her breath, and her mouth are all objects of his desire and passion.14 That he describes her mouth like "fine wine" recalls the fact that Shulammite said the same about his mouth in 1:2. He is glad to return the compliment as they enter into intimacy. Theirs is a sweet and intoxicating love.

In our day we too speak of beautiful, graceful palm trees. This is what this husband sees in his wife, and he must have her. Schwab says with frankness, "After mounting the palm tree, he will vigorously denude its fruit.... The girl delights in his designs and expresses her desire to see that his foretastes are not disappointed" ("Song," 420). This leads us to our final observation.

John Gries says, "Jesus intended marriage to be happy for you. God expects regular sex in marriage, and sex is a learning process" (Lackey, "Counselor Offers Help"). Gries is right, and we have seen this truth lived out in our Song. This couple has grown in their knowledge of each other. They have learned both how to give and how to receive.

Shulammite gladly gives herself to Solomon in response to his request, and he, no doubt, is happy to receive her gift of lovemaking. Picking up on the imagery of wine, Shulammite expresses her desire to satisfy and bring pleasure to her husband. The wine flows "smoothly for my love," she says, "gliding past my lips and teeth!" The NKJV says, "The wine goes down smoothly for my beloved, moving gently the lips of sleepers" (i.e. the lovers). They are making love to one another and it is delightful—like sweet, intoxicating wine. They exchange kisses and intimate expressions of love that each finds satisfying, and then they restfully fall to sleep in a warm embrace. His goal is to satisfy and please 159her, which he does. Her goal is to satisfy and please him, which she does. When there is mutual giving with the goal of pleasing our mate, the marvelous result is that both spouses experience the joy and pleasure God intended (cf. 1 Cor 7:3-4; Phil 2:3-5).

Practical Applications from Song of Songs 6:11-7:10

Proverbs 32: The Husband of Noble Character

The king (7:5) in our text sees his bride as beautiful (7:1, 6). She belongs to him, and his desire is for her (7:10). He sees her as virtually flawless, with no imperfection (4:7). Of course she is not literally flawless and perfect. There has never lived on this earth such a bride. I guess a good question to ask is, will there ever be such a bride?

Well, the good news, gospel answer, is "yes!" There will indeed be such a bride that will not only appear perfect, she will be perfect. This will not be an earthly bride, but a heavenly one, one made perfect by the Bridegroom who has cleansed her by His blood and made her pure and spotless from head to toe. Once more our Song prepares us for the awesome and glorious truth of Ephesians 5:25-27: "Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless."

This is what this bride is destined to be, and the good news of the gospel is, you can be a part of this bride. Repent of sin and look in faith 162to the Bridegroom, King Jesus, who loved you and gave Himself for you. His love for you is great. His cleansing power cannot fail. He longs to make you beautiful. He longs for you to be His.

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,

Weak and wounded, sick and sore;

Jesus ready stands to save you,

Full of pity, love, and pow'r.

I will arise and go to Jesus,

He will embrace me in His arms;

In the arms of my dear Savior,

Oh, there are ten thousand charms. (Hart, "Come, Ye Sinners")