Song of Solomon 2:9-17

9 My lover is like a gazelle, like a young stag. There he stands beside the wall. He looks in through the window and glances through the lattice.

10 My lover speaks to me. Come then, my love; my darling, come with me.

11 The winter is over; the rains have stopped;

12 in the countryside the flowers are in bloom. This is the time for singing; the song of doves is heard in the fields.

13 Figs are beginning to ripen; the air is fragrant with blossoming vines. Come then, my love; my darling, come with me.

14 You are like a dove that hides in the crevice of a rock. Let me see your lovely face and hear your enchanting voice.

15 Catch the foxes, the little foxes, before they ruin our vineyard in bloom.

16 My lover is mine, and I am his. He feeds his flock among the lilies

17 until the morning breezes blow and the darkness disappears. Return, my darling, like a gazelle, like a stag on the mountains of Bether.

Song of Solomon 2:9-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 2

Here begins a new colloquy between Christ and his church; in which they alternately set forth the excellencies of each other; and express their mutual affection for, and delight and pleasure they take in, each other's company. Christ seems to begin, in an account of himself and his own excellencies, and of the church in her present state, So 2:1,2; then she, in her turn, praises him, and commends him above all others relates some choice proofs she had had of his love to her, and of communion with him in his house and ordinances, to such a degree as to overcome her, So 2:3-6; and then either he or she gives a charge to the daughters of Jerusalem, not to disturb either the one or the other in their sweet repose, So 2:7. Next the church relates how she heard the voice of Christ, and had a sight of him on the hills and mountains, at some distance; then more nearly, behind her wall, and through the lattices, So 2:8,9; and expresses the very words in which he spake to her, and gave her a call to come away with him; making use of arguments from the season of the year, the signs of which are beautifully described, So 2:10-13; and requests that she would come out of her solitude, that he might enjoy her company, whose countenance and voice are so delightful to him; and gives a charge to her and her friends, to seize on such as were harmful and prejudicial to their mutual property, So 2:14,15. And she closes the chapter with expressing her faith of interest in Christ; and with a petition for his speedy approach to her, and continued presence with her, So 2:16,17.

Footnotes

• [a]. mountains of Bether; [or] rugged mountains.