Songs of Songs 6: 1 – 13
Making Up Is Hard To Do
1 Where has your beloved gone, O fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned aside, that we may seek him with you? 2 My beloved has gone to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed his flock in the gardens, and to gather lilies. 3 I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. He feeds his flock among the lilies. 4 O my love, you are as beautiful as Tirzah, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as an army with banners! 5 Turn your eyes away from me, for they have overcome me. Your hair is like a flock of goats going down from Gilead. 6 Your teeth are like a flock of sheep which have come up from the washing; Every one bears twins, and none is barren among them. 7 Like a piece of pomegranate are your temples behind your veil. 8 There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number. 9 My dove, my perfect one, is the only one, the only one of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her. The daughters saw her and called her blessed, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. 10 Who is she who looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awesome as an army with banners? 11 I went down to the garden of nuts to see the verdure of the valley, to see whether the vine had budded and the pomegranates had bloomed. 12 Before I was even aware, my soul had made me as the chariots of my noble people. 13 Return, return, O Shulamite; Return, return, that we may look upon you!
If you have been following along with us in the study of this book you will remember that the ending of chapter 5 involved a confrontation of the Shulamite and the Daughters of Jerusalem. Through jealousy the women had taken advantage of the royal couple’s marriage problem and really laid into the wife, basically ganging up on her in their hurtful comments.
The Shulamite’s response to them had a positive reaction on these women for now they want to seriously help her. They say to her,
1 Where has your beloved gone, O fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned aside, that we may seek him with you?
Probably knowing the ultimate consequence that might befall them if king Solomon found out how they treated his wife might have been the motivating factor that prompted them to be so helpful in desiring to help located him.
Her response back to the women caused her also to reflect on everything that had transpired between her and her husband. The reason she got upset with him is the same thing he is presently doing and that is being about the affairs of state. Remember, in the past chapters where we read that she got upset because he was out and about doing his job as king and shepherd. Her thoughts about him not being there for her caused her to refuse his advance to her for intimacy. This had turned into a nightmare for them both. Now, the question of peaceful assistance from the women stopped her in her tracks and made her realize that he was out working. The same conditions existed, yet her attitude had changed.
2 My beloved has gone to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed his flock in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
She knows that he is hers and so she asserts her knowledge of his love for her,
3 I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. He feeds his flock among the lilies.
This situation has stopped me in my thought process also. It causes me to think about my relationship and our relationship with our love – our Lord Jesus Christ. You have heard the old statement, ‘He hasn’t moved, we have’. We do not want to be like the church of Ephesus like we read in chapter 2 of the book of Revelation, 1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’
When we get caught up in different things whether good or bad have we drifted away from our Lord? Do we know where we can find Him? Do we have to go to some building to find Him? No, He hasn’t left. We need to get our heart and minds back to reality and call upon our Precious Lord. He has promised us that He would never leave us. He Is Faithful!
The lady has realized that she had messed up. She is also aware that she is responsible to restore that relationship with her husband. The Shulamite remembered their marriage vows to each other, as verse three highlights. As the king she knew he had a responsibility to attend to the affairs of state. Satan festered these long work days into a full blown problem. Now it is her burden to restore their relationship. So she thought! Look at how he handled the situation.
4 O my love, you are as beautiful as Tirzah, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as an army with banners! 5 Turn your eyes away from me, for they have overcome me. Your hair is like a flock of goats going down from Gilead. 6 Your teeth are like a flock of sheep which have come up from the washing; Every one bears twins, and none is barren among them. 7 Like a piece of pomegranate are your temples behind your veil.
She receives praise from him instead of criticism. Many husbands when rebuffed after making a romantic move on their wives do not respond like this which is the right way. They usually are quite hurt and respond in a variety of bad if not outright sinful ways.
He looked at her and could not hold any grudge. His heart was moved at her sad countenance and he wanted to show and tell her that everything will be alright. Truly this man was given great wisdom from our Lord. The few words he says have so much meaning. Let me break it down for us. First of all he says to her, ‘4 O my love, you are as beautiful as Tirzah,’
Tirzah was in the northern mountainous part of Israel. The woman came from such a location. This area was known for its national beauty and gorgeous gardens. He is going to spout off some amazing complements about her impact on him that has him still spellbound.
He said that she was also ‘lovely as Jerusalem’. Psalm 48 puts this point greatly in words, “1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.3 God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge. 4 For behold, the kings assembled, they passed by together. 5 They saw it, and so they marveled; They were troubled, they hastened away. 6 Fear took hold of them there, and pain, as of a woman in birth pangs, 7 As when You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. 8 As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. Selah 9 We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, in the midst of Your temple. 10 According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. 11 Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Your judgments. 12 Walk about Zion, and go all around her. Count her towers. 13 Mark well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces; That you may tell it to the generation following. 14 For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.”
There is no other city as great as Jerusalem. He was saying that there is no woman greater to him than her. How does this sound so far ladies?
I am sure that in your lifetime you witnessed a parade. Were you not deeply moved at one time or another when the flags and bands came marching by. Perhaps there were police or soldiers parading by you. I am sure this affected you a little. Possibly bring a tear to your eye. This is the feeling that she had on Solomon and how by words he let her know of her affect on him. For she was a ‘awesome as an army with banners!’
His words to her sound familiar do they not? He is using similar terms but not the same terms he said to her on their wedding night. Let me list again what he said on that night a let’s see what he left out.
Song of Songs 4, “1 Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, going down from Mount Gilead. 2 Your teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep which have come up from the washing, every one of which bears twins, and none is barren among them. 3 Your lips are like a strand of scarlet, and your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like a piece of pomegranate. 4 Your neck is like the tower of David, built for an armory, on which hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. 5 Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, which feed among the lilies.”
Now let us see what he says now in chapter 6, ‘5 Turn your eyes away from me, for they have overcome me. Your hair is like a flock of goats going down from Gilead. 6 Your teeth are like a flock of sheep which have come up from the washing; Every one bears twins, and none is barren among them. 7 Like a piece of pomegranate are your temples behind your veil.’
For one thing I would like for all to take notice the fact that he remembered what he had said to his new wife on their honeymoon. I think that speaks volumes of this man’s wisdom, love, and thoughts about his woman. Sure it is not word for word but I think you will understand why he did not respond with every word that he said to her on their wedding night.
The second significant point that he makes towards his love is that he is getting across to her that in his opinion ‘nothing has changed.’ She is still the same beautiful woman he had the pleasure of knowing that first night. All I can say is WOW!
Her teeth are not newly shorn. Although not having milky white teeth, she still has healthy teeth. And she still has all her teeth still, which is a good thing.
In chapter 4 he said to her, “3 Your lips are like a strand of scarlet, and your mouth is lovely.’ Would he not be a hypocrite to say that her mouth is lovely especially after the remarks she made to him when he wanted to make love with her. Remember, he is the king. You do not go around whether you are the king’s wife or not and speak harshly. Do you remember this situation in chapter 1 of the book of Ester? 1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (this was the Ahasuerus who reigned over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia), 2 in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the citadel, 3 that in the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his officials and servants—the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces being before him— 4 when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days in all.5 And when these days were completed, the king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the citadel, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace. 6 There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble. 7 And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king. 8 In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure. 9 Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus. 10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him. 13 Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice, 14 those closest to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who had access to the king’s presence, and who ranked highest in the kingdom): 15 “What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?” 16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.’ 18 This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath. 19 If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. 20 When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small.” 21 And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan. 22 Then he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, to each province in its own script, and to every people in their own language, that each man should be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.
He correctly leaves off that comment.
And here is the crowning unsaid statement that gives her praise. In chapter 4 he commented about her breasts and also listed her lips. These are sexual comments. He left these comments out. Why? Remember, all these problems were about her thinking that all she was for him was a sexual thing. He did not spend time with her and would come home in the wee hours and want to have sex with her. He is saying here that it is not about sex. His love for her is because he is in love with her now regardless of sex. He loves her for everything she is and the person that she is.
We now come to a significant problem that many people have had with this love story and it is this;
8 There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number.
Wait a minute this definitely spoils the whole romantic picture. This guy has 60 queens and 80 other women for his sexual pleasure. No wonder he can be so cavalier and tell her, ‘Hey honey, its not about the sex I need from you, its just you I love.’
We know from scripture that Solomon had three hundred and some wives and over seven hundred concubines. So, he must have been already on his woman collection. The Shulamite according to this interpretation was number 141 on Solomon’s woman list. [60 + 80 + 1+]
I do not believe this is the case and for these reasons.
Solomon is credited with writing 3 of the 66 books of the Bible. They are this book, Song of Solomon, Proverbs, and the book of Ecclesiastes He probably wrote the Song of Solomon after falling in love with a woman for the first time. He wrote the Proverbs during the middle of his life. And he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes at the end of his life.
Note in verse 8 of the Song of Solomon that ‘There are’ 60 queens, etc. not ‘I have’ 60 queens and 80 concubines. Remember, the harem that his father had goes to him. It does not necessary mean that he goes and has sex with them because that would be a sin. In the book of Leviticus chapter 18 verse 8 says, “The nakedness of your father’s wife you shall not uncover; it is your father’s nakedness.” In my opinion they still maintained their honorable positions and it was Solomon’s duty to care for them the rest of their lives.
Another potential thing that is happening here is that Solomon is using poetic license. When he says, ‘60, 80, an without number’ he is using accelerating numbers to make a point. In affect what he is saying to his wife that there is no one as special to him than her.
9 My dove, my perfect one, is the only one, the only one of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her. The daughters saw her and called her blessed, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. 10 Who is she who looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?
Man is he good. He continues to pour it on. Please note his return to the language he had used prior to her rejection of his advance, ‘9 My dove, my perfect one.’ He is indicating that she is fully restored as though she had never turned him away.
She is the apple of her mother’s eye as being her only daughter and Solomon helps her reflect back to those warm feelings; ‘is the only one, the only one of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her.’
Man he is really pouring iton, he now goes and says that everyone loves her. Everyone is moved with emotions at being with her, ‘The daughters saw her and called her blessed, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. 10 Who is she who looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?’
Now if she does not come out of this emotional depression with all this praise, encouragement, and build-up, then something is really wrong with her. So let’s see how his response worked out;
11 I went down to the garden of nuts to see the verdure of the valley, to see whether the vine had budded and the pomegranates had bloomed. 12 Before I was even aware, my soul had made me as the chariots of my noble people. 13 Return, return, O Shulamite; Return, return, that we may look upon you!
The Shulamite had to get away for a little while and take in everything that has just transpired between the two. She goes to a garden on the palace grounds for some serious reflection. She had two problems previously;
1. Guilt at refusing her husbands romantic advances
2. A longing to go back home
It appears that Solomon’s lavish praise assuring his love for her settled problem number one. Only one remained, and that was the desire to go back home.
‘Her thoughts took her back home when Solomon had visited her at her home in the springtime, 11 I went down to the garden of nuts to see the verdure of the valley, to see whether the vine had budded and the pomegranates had bloomed.”
As she is absorbed in these pleasant thoughts the sound of a chariot moving along somewhere outside the garden breaks her concentration and she wishes to jump on one and flee back home, ‘12 Before I was even aware, my soul had made me as the chariots of my noble people.” But thoughts bring her back to knowing that she belongs where she is at. Perhaps our Wonderful Holy Spirit has whispered in her ears the importance of her vow to her husband from the lovely words of Genesis chapter 2, ‘24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.’ Have you ever gone through ladies these same thoughts that the Shulamite has experienced.
In addition, the voices of the other women call out. Perhaps they see the sad and concerned countenance of Solomon and know that he needs her and so they call, ‘13 Return, return, O Shulamite; Return, return, that we may look upon you!’
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