The Beloved
SS 1:8 If you do not know, O fairest among women,[g]Follow in the footsteps of the flock, And feed your little goats
Beside the shepherds’ tents.
The Lord answered and said,
“If you know not … go your way forth by the footsteps of the flock.” Song of Solomon 1:8a.
That is, find one who knows and has experienced the way. It is very important at this point, that we ourselves know the way, and then are able to lead those who are seeking something more, to the Lord Himself. Many will be enabled to come into a greater experience in the reality of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, and into a deeper personal relationship with Him, because we have been spending time with Jesus, and have learned to sup with Him.
Through our times of communion and prayer, as we continue to sup with the Lord, we receive much spiritual “substance” into our being. Now, the Lord will allow others to come and feed on us, because we have fed on Him.
This is what is meant in Rev. 3:20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.
If you know not, O you fairest among women, go your way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed your kids beside the shepherds’ tents.” Song of Solomon 1:8
“Go your way forth by the footsteps of the flock.” That is, find those who know the Lord, and they will lead you to the Lord Himself, not to some program or purpose.
She can no longer be satisfied with only the knowledge of things about Him. The ministries, abilities, or personalities of His servants are no longer enough, for now she must intimately know Jesus. An intense reduction of all her ambitions, desires, and dreams has brought her to this place.
Finally, we discover that we can no longer be satisfied to drink from the overflow of another’s blessing, or to feed upon the testimony or experience of another, and we began to look for the Lord Himself. Immediately, the Lord responds:
The Lord is telling us that we should find someone who has an active, personal relationship with Him, so they might lead us to the Lord Himself, mentor as He wills. It is very important that we sit under an anointed, Christ-centered ministry people. Now, there is a complete change in our expression, as the Lord Himself has become the goal that we seek.
Summary verse 1:8
1: 8 If you do not know, O fairest among women, Follow in the footsteps of the flock, And feed your little goats Beside the shepherds’ tents.
Jesus wants her to be part of a flock and in submission to leaders; also in relationship to body and to the other sheep. One has to be close proximity with the other sheep to follow in each others footsteps! The first meaning of ‘footsteps’ in Hebrew is ‘heal’. This is really close proximity; ever had anyone walking so close behind you they actually step on your heels? Footsteps also means the ‘ EXTREME rear of an army’; this speaks of walking in humility and meekness, preferring one another in love.
- The Bride was clearly a was a shepherdess, for she had a flock of GOATS. Goats were often disdained in scripture, the heathen were referred to as goats; they did not have the social status of ‘sheep’. Some characteristics of goats are: they eat a lot; they eat a lot of the good grazing grass, and thus steal food and from sheep. Goats are known to lead sheep astray. Symbolically, goats could be people, or also of areas in our lives we need to tend to, that could lead us astray. In other words, seek pastoral help for them.
3.Note it says ‘little kids; in Hebrew means female goats. In Jewish customs young women took care of the young lambs and kids (goats). The bride here had a pastoral ministry, she was a shepherdess, and Jesus is saying bring your little flock into the rest of the ministry, where the rest of the flock is, where the leaders are.
“A shepherd’s life was not easy. Shepherds spent most of their time outside watching over the herd, no matter what the weather. They often slept near their flock to protect it from robbers or wild animals. The shepherd’s tools and weapons were a rod, a staff, and a sling. Each night, the shepherds would gather their flocks into places called “sheepfolds.” These could be stone walls made by the shepherds or natural enclosures, such as a cave. Shepherds used their rod to help count their animals each evening when they brought them into the fold and again in the morning when they left for the pastures”
Could this also be a message here for those who are leaders in children’s ministry! What about a message to parents raising children also? Children’s church should not be separate from rest of adults, but God is raising children in the Lord to function and flow with rest of the adult sheep!
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Discussion questions: C-1:8:
- How can following in close proximity with the footsteps of the other flocks be a safeguard? Can it work the opposite way?
- How is being in close proximity with the other sheep conductive to greater intimacy with the Bridegroom? Have you experienced this?
3.What does ‘feeding the little goats besides the shepherds tents’ mean to you?
4.What do goats learn by hanging out with sheep/shepherds?
- Where is Jesus in this setting; At the front of the sheep, leading them, or at the rear, guarding them, etc. Where is Jesus calling YOU to be? Where is YOUR position? (in terms of your ministry/calling) Do you think we all have different or the same ‘places, or are we called to move around, sometimes be at the front, middle, outside, or ‘back’ of the flock?
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Summary: SCENE I – The Shulamite Virgin Bride
Son 1:2 – 1:8
The Shulamite Bride to be has been brought out of the vineyards by the earthly king to his Chambers to be part of his harem. She is soul searching as to why she is here in the king’s palace when her beloved is out in the fields. Why is she, a woman of humble upbringing, who is tanned from working the vineyards, here in the king’s chambers with women who are more refined and sophisticated – the Daughters of Jerusalem?
Some believe she may actually be Abishag, the Shunammite virgin originally brought to King David’s sick bed to keep him warm (1Kings 1:3). Adonijah, the firstborn of King David and rightful heir to the throne before Bathsheba intervened on Solomon’s behalf, asked for her to be his. To hopefully assure consent, he asked Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba, to make his request known to Solomon and Solomon had him killed.
She wonders where her Shepherd is. The Daughters of Jerusalem tell her she can probably find her Beloved where the rest of the flocks feed.
(1:2) Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for your love is better than wine.
(1:3) Because of the savor of your good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love you.
Solomon can physically kiss her, but her heart is for her beloved whose love is better than wine. The King is desirable only because of the expensive ointments he can provide. That is why the Daughters of Jerusalem love him, for the physical fineries he can provide. A good name is better than precious ointment (Ecc 7:1). This is not a confession of her love for the King but the Daughters of Jerusalem love him or seemingly love him as we will find out.
(1:4) Draw me, (John 6:44) we will run after you: the king has brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in you, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love you.
She loves her Shepherd as do all those that are upright in character. Rejoice in the LORD, Oh, you righteous: for praise is comely for the upright (Psa. 33:1)
(1:5) I am black, but comely, O you daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
She was tanned but beautiful. Kedar was the second son of Ishmael. He was a goat herder, goat’s hair known for its darkness in color from which his tents were made. She was lowly as these tents yet beautiful as the tapestries which hung in Solomon’s palace.
(1:6) Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun has looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
Tells the other women in the harem not to look down on her because her brothers made her tend the vineyards of the King. Like a sharecropper, they were allowed to keep a certain amount, but the rest belonged to the owner of the vineyard. Notice 8:11-12. Her beloved Shepherd also has a vineyard to which he continually invites her (2:13,15). (See also – Isa 5:1-7)
(1:7) Tell me, Oh, you whom my soul loves, where you feed, where you make your flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turns aside by the flocks of your companions?
She longs to be with her Shepherd and wonders where he rests them that she can meet Him there. Better to know where to find Him than to possibly be led astray by following in the wrong footsteps of the flocks of the false shepherds.
(1:8) If you know not, Oh, you fairest among women, go your way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed your kids beside the shepherds’ tents.
The Daughters of Jerusalem tell her that if she doesn’t know where He is, she can probably find Him by going to where the rest of the shepherds dwell. Something she already knows and was trying to avoid. (See 1Pet 5:2-4)
King Solomon stops by for the first time to check on her. He appeals to her pride and vanity by comparing her to the proud horses attached to Pharaoh’s chariots. He notices she’s wearing the jewelry and gold chains he’s given her and compliments her. Then he makes reference to her rustic dress and tells her he will have it spruced up a bit for her by adding a gold border and silver studs. The Bridegroom wishes the Bride to be adorned.
“If you know not… go your way forth by the footsteps of the flock….” Song of Solomon 1:8
That is, “find one who knows and has experienced the way.” It is very important at this point, that we ourselves know the way, and then are able to lead those who are seeking “something more,” to the Lord Himself. Many will be enabled to come into a greater experience in the reality of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, and into a deeper personal relationship with Him, because we have been spending time with Jesus, and have learned to sup with Him. Through our times of communion and prayer, as we continue to sup with the Lord, we receive much spiritual “substance” into our being. Now, the Lord will allow others to come and feed on us, because we have fed on Him.
SS 1:9 I have compared you, my love, To my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots.
Here, Shulamite’s lover speaks for the first time and, in contrast to her reservations about her physical appearance, he greatly admires her beauty. Indeed, Solomon/ the Bridegroom compared Shulamite (O my love), to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots. Throughout the Song, as the two lovers admire one another, the imagery they employ, though magnificent, is a creature of its time and culture.
“I have compared you, O My love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.” Song of Solomon 1:9
When rightly understood, this is a powerful compliment. Pharaoh’s chariot was the most elaborate and ornate in the world of that time. The horses that pulled this chariot were highly trained and disciplined in order to enhance the power and glory of Pharaoh. The Lord is saying that He has seen the possibility of her being like one of these horses in Pharaoh’s chariot, capable of bringing into open view the King of all kings – in all His glory. This potential Bride has deeply touched the heart of her Lord and has gained His favor. His approbation now rests upon her life. In Song of Solomon 1:10-11, the Master Workman shares with her all that He is about to do, to cause her to become what He sees her to be.
Eph. 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Summary verse 1:9
1:9 “A Strong Racehorse”
My Lover (Philly), I liken you, my darling, to a mare harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh. (NIV)
Most women today wouldn’t think of being compared to a horse as a compliment! But in Bible times horses were valued and prized possessions, as well as loyal, affectionate companions!
Pharaoh would only have the strongest, most beautiful, prized horses! They would have to be horses that could demonstrate great agility in times of battle; they would have to be able to travel at break-neck speeds! In other words, they would have to be horses that were made to RUN! And horses that did not run ‘ahead’ by themselves, but horses that were securely and willingly ‘harnessed’ to the chariot. In other words, they are ‘yoked’ in perfect union to their master, seated in the chariot, the one who holds the reins! Glory!
Verse 1:4 says ‘Draw me,and let us RUN.” Jesus is so wanting a Bride who RUNS towards Him, after Him, and with Him, in perfect timing and union. This beloved ‘racehorse’ was obviously loved and adored because she was keenly sensitive to every ‘tug’, every ‘nudge’ of the rein; whenever her master directed her to turn, stop, run faster, she instantly obeyed without flinching from fear or stubbornness.
Up to this point the bride has seen herself as weak, unattractive, and unwanted. Yet in this verse Jesus is looking past her emotions, her outward appearance; He looks into her heart and says: “you may feel like a failure, you have been mistreated, cast out, but to Me you are beautiful, strong, loyal, affectionate and most of all, you were made to RUN with Me!”
Note: King Solomon purchased horses out of Egypt for a dear price, so the King of Kings has purchased you out of Egypt with an immeasurable price (2 Chronicles1:16, 17)
CORPORATE BRIDE/CHURCH APPLICATION: As Pharoah’s horses, she forms a great company (Rev 19:7, 14) Jesus is both shepherd and conqueror, so the Bride is not only His sheep, but also a church militant. Joel’s Army
The term Joel’s army has been used to signify the people who walk out the principles of prayer with fasting as taught in Joel 2:12–17. The term has been used much like “Joseph Company,” “Gideon Band,” or “David Company” to signify the people who embraced the godly qualities that Joel taught about prayer, fasting, and wholehearted obedience. Paul Cain had a prophetic word about a “Joel’s army in training,” referring to a group of people who would give themselves to prayer and fasting according to Joel 2:12–17.
He is telling her he loves her passion and zeal for him, and how she runs fast, on her high places (Habakuk 3:19) She was made to run on the high places with Him! Carrying the King of Kings, with Him in charge…
The Lord has made you as his goodly horse in the day of battle, Zech. 10:3.
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Discussion questions C-1:9:
- I personally have much experience riding, raising and showing horses in a horse show. Some of you may have experiences/applications that relate to this verse! If so, please share .
- How important is it for the horse owner to develop a close, trusting relationship with his ‘filly’? How does he train her, break her, care for her, etc. Again, any of you with any ‘horse’ experience please share!
- Think of a time when you were in a spiritual race/battle where you were forced to ‘run; how did it feel? Were you ‘harnessed’ securely to your Master’s chariot? How do we stay ‘harnessed’? How do you know when we are not harnessed to our Master’s chariot? Similar to abiding in the Vine.
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SS 1:10 Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, Your neck with chains of gold.
Your cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, your neck with chains of gold. We will make you borders of gold with studs of silver.” Gold is a type of the divine nature; silver speaks of righteousness. These together speak of our being made conformable to the Lord’s image and likeness, and becoming so compatible with Him, that we are qualified to become His Bride.
As the Bride we are adorned with:
Isaiah 49:18 speaks of the Bride putting on her bridal jewels:
‘lift your eyes round about, and see; all these gather together and come to you. As I live, says the Lord, you Zion, shall surely clothe yourself with them all as with an ornament, and bind them on you as a bride does.’
Prov. 3:3-4 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart,4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
Her lover remarks that her cheeks are comely or beautiful with rows of jewels and that her neck is beautiful with chains of gold. He further states that we will make thee borders or ornaments (jewelry) of gold with studs of silver. Additional jewelry to adorn her beauty will be provided to her.
Summary verse 1:10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows [of jewels], your neck with chains of gold
I find it fascinating that right after comparing his Bride to a strong race horse, Jesus then chooses to focus on the Bride’s cheeks and neck.
First, let’s discuss what the cheeks and neck represent. Cheeks show our emotions. If we smile or laugh, for instance, our cheeks puff up. If we are excited, flustered or upset, they blush red. In fact, the root word of cheek in Hebrew means ‘soft’. Cheeks are a place of vibrant, rosy, color! He is saying, she is ‘soft’, full of life and vibrancy! He is a Bridegroom who is very sensitive and cares about her emotions, they are important to Him. He knows His joy is her strength! (Nehemiah 8:10) He wants to beautiful her face with ornaments, He loves her emotions, her joy so much He wants to further adorn them with His ornaments. Ornaments are objects created by artists to adorn an object. Jesus is the ultimate artist who, working closely with the Holy Spirit, is beautifully and skillfully adorning US, His Bride for the wedding! Do you know He is carefully studying YOUR emotions, and is so joyfully choosing unique spiritual ornaments to adorn YOU with?
The neck in scripture represents the will. Stiff necked in the Bible represents stubbornness. If a horse has a stiff neck, he will not yield to the tug by his master on the reins. Likewise, the neck also represents submission. The neck is what turns the head and determines what direction the eyes of a person will look and ultimately the entire body will move. In war the victors put their feet on neck of enemies.
This is your position over the enemy!
Necklaces represent royal authority. Kings wore gold necklaces. Few people could afford a chain of gold! The Bridegroom is pleased with His Bride’s submission, softness and willingness to yield to Him. Consequently, He grants her supreme authority!
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Discussion questions C-1:10:
- Share a time when you found Jesus sensitive and empathetic to your emotions, whether good ones or bad. Did He adorn them with ‘ornaments?
- Share what ‘ornaments’ He has adorned you with, especially in terms of your emotions.
- What is the relationship between being soft, submissive, willing to yield with authority? Do you think the Body of Christ is guilty of sometimes abusing/misusing the authority He has given and entrusted us with?
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The Daughters of Jerusalem
SS1:11 We will make [h]you ornaments of gold With studs of silver.
The daughters of Jerusalem will make you borders or ornaments (jewelry) of gold with studs of silver. Additional jewelry to adorn her beauty will be provided to her.
In view of the description here of Shulamite, arrayed like the horses of Pharaoh’s chariots and wearing fine jewelry, this portion of the Song likely is a reflection on the wedding day. Her lover sees her and like any bride arrayed for the big day, Shulamite is glowing. Her response that follows gives credence to the fact that they are now together, likely at the wedding feast.
This is the adornment of the Bride and the mention of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Revelation 19:7-8 NAS- 7″Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Exegesis Bible- literal translation–Cheer and jump for joy and give Him glory. Because the marriage of the Lamb is come. And his woman prepares herself. And she has been given to be arrayed in white linen-pure and radiant- for the white linen is the justification of the holy.
(I have a complete teaching of the adorning of the Bride if you would like email me, ms_davis@bellsouth.net)
Marriage Supper of the Lamb
1st mention- Rev. 19 :7 and Rev. 19:9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
Preceding verses:
Rev. 19:6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
Rev.19:6 Then I heard the voice of an innumerable mass of people exploding like a thunderous torrent of mighty cascading waterfalls, bellowing, Hallelujah! The Lord our God has claimed his kingdom and established his sovereign rule over everything! Mirror
The voice of a great multitude announces the marriage supper of the Lamb. Again, this is not sequential; the consummation of the kingdom, already prophetically announced in 11:15, is once again so announced.
Rev. 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
19:7 This is the climax of the ages! Celebrate his glory with ecstatic joy and extreme delight, for the wedding feast of the Lamb has come! The day didn’t catch her by surprise! His bride has prepared herself appropriately! She is ready and fully fit for the occasion! Mirror
*Symbol- Marriage of the Lamb- union with Christ -Eph. 5:23-32 ( symbolic of a man and woman union)
KJV says the marriage of the Lamb is come. (Rev 19:7) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready.
Marriage of the Lamb is come is a 3rd person present continuous verb. The marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has made herself ready.” The Amplified version says, “The Marriage of the Lamb has come at last.” Both the Father and Jesus have been waiting for this.
My opinion is the marriage supper was, is, and is to come.
It was in the Father’s heart from the beginning of time that Jesus should have a Bride. This Bride is the New Jerusalem come down from heaven, when Jesus will be totally unveiled at the time of His marriage.
“The Marriage of the Lamb is come.” Only one translation says “wedding” of the Lamb has come. The Holy Spirit always uses the right words. There is a difference between a wedding, and a marriage. The wedding includes the best man, the bridesmaids, the cutting of the wedding cake, and all of the guests, activities, and food. A marriage is a union in which two people are being united, and you are invited to come and be one of these. Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Summary verse 1:11
In Song of Solomon its important to realize that there are different voices speaking, like a play, or a song, and each voice, each character is symbolic; has a higher meaning.
In this case I believe the ‘we’ is actually We, symbolizing the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! They are actively, joyously, and meticulously working together, adorning the Bride for her wedding!
Ornaments are created by artists to beautify an object. The word ornament in Hebrew word means ‘to go around (as in a circle). Circles represent covenant, unending love, some versions translate this word as ‘earrings’. Earrings were worn as a sign of submission to a master.
A Hebrew slave had the option to have his/her ear pierced by nailing their ear to a door. Thus, serving their master for life.
In Esther 2:12-1 all virgins who were to go in before the king went through a year of beauty treatments, which included ‘adorning’. The Holy Spirit is preparing US to meet our Bridegroom, at the wedding!
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are adorning us with their unending covenant promises. Just as the Ephesians 1:13 says that says He ‘seals’ us with his Holy Spirit of Promise (Covenant).
Also, HE is weaving, wrapping us, adorning us with His covenant promises, thus making our hearts glad. Gold speaks of divine character refined by the fire of His spirit. (Malachi 3:2-3) Silver speaks of redemption; Jesus is stating that the Trinity (working together!) will adorn her with His divine character, redemption and purity.
We also are called to give out this ‘silver’ to others. For instance, we are commanded to give His redemption to others (His healing, His salvation, etc.) Our words are to be like apples of gold in setting of silver, fittingly spoke (Proverbs 25:11) The Trinity fashions us into His image through His word as well! As we daily listen to His words and look into His living word, we are adorned, transformed, and He can use US to transform and adorn the Bride as well!
I have a complete teaching on the adornment of the Bride, will send if rquested.
Ephesians 2:10…WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP ( Workmanship in Greek means poem, masterpiece, work of art), created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before the foundation of the world that we should walk in them!
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Discussion questions C-1:11:
1.What does it mean to you to be ‘sealed’ by the Holy Spirit of Promise? What do you think this ‘seal’ looks like in the spirit realm?
2.Have you ever experienced the Lord ‘adorning’ you through the words of another brother or sister in the Lord? Has he ever used you in that way?
- How do His covenant promises adorn you?
4.Share when the Holy Spirit gave you a spiritual beauty treatment.
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Summary: SCENE II – Solomon/Bridegroom Speaks of His Affection
Son 1:9 – 1:11
(1:9) I have compared you, Oh my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.
(1:10) Your cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, your neck with chains of gold.
(1:11) We will make you borders of gold with studs of silver.
Ezekiel chapter 16 describes the “birth” of Jerusalem from lowly beginnings, a type of the Church, and how it was the Lord who cared for her, clothed her, and even provided jewels and gold chains, not some earthly king. The Daughters of Jerusalem are described in Ezekiel 16 as Samaria and Sodom who have separated themselves from Jerusalem through idolatry and covetousness. Both are now suburbs of Jerusalem, daughters who will one day be reunited to her. These are whom the Daughters of Jerusalem in our love story represent. (See Luke 23:28-31)
King Solomon tells her he’s as proud of her as a spirited company of horses. She looks beautiful in the jewels & chains he’s given her. He’ll have some gold & silver added to her rustic gown to spruce it up a bit. We’ll see he continually appeals to her pride & vanity. We’ll see King Solomon in the Old Testament is all about appearances, superficial beauty, yet the Lord is about what’s inside us.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have [a]refused him. For[b] the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
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The Shulamite
SS 1:12 While the king is at his table, My [i]spikenard sends forth its fragrance.
The Shulamite responds to her lover’s admiration, saying that while the king sits at his table, her spikenard sends forth the smell thereof. The reference here is to a banqueting table, suggesting again that the setting is the wedding feast on the day of their wedding.
Note here that her lover is referred to as the king, which will occur again in 3:9, 3:11 and 7:5; this supports the view that her lover is Solomon, although again we must emphasize that as a song it need not necessarily recount actual history nor do the references to the king or Solomon need to necessarily indicate a recording of historical events.
Solomon here is symbolic of her Beloved, the Bridegroom.
Nard or spikenard was an aromatic oil from a plant used as perfume, and while she cannot yet physically reach out to him, the aroma is intended to reach her lover and invite him to her. The consummation of the marriage will soon occur.
Spikenard is a costly perfumed ointment much valued in ancient times, the Himalayan plant of the valerian family that produces the rhizome from which this ointment and oil was prepared.
John 12:2 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure spikenard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
To anoint the feet with Spikenard was considered a humbling act, and in Mary’s case, an act of worship and appreciation for Jesus and to honor Him.
Summary verse 1:12
“While the King sat as his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance”
I love how this is worded, ‘while the King at HIS table’; it is truly His table, His banquet, yet He invites you and I to dine with Him, to feast with Him…mom good! Have you feasted with Him today? Or have you turned away His invitation, in pursuit of your own meal (which in comparison to His is mere junk food)
The word table in Hebrew is intriguing. This not some tall, elegant dining table, but instead it means a round table and or, arrangement on the floor, similar to oriental customs where the table is low and people sit on the floor to eat (up close and personal, informal!) It also speaks of couches in a circle, in fact, 3 of them. And who do you think might be occupying these three couches? Could it be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Glory! We have been seated in heavenly places with Christ! Yet here He also demonstrates His humility by coming down to the same (floor) level we are! Truly, if we want to find Him we must go ‘lower’, for he who humbles himself will truly be exalted! And the utmost exaltation is finding yourself seated with HIM!
Now, onto spikenard! Spikenard is used in palliative care (pain control) used to minister to emotions, especially for deep seated pain and grief. It’s very costly and only rich people normally possessed it.
Let’s divert a moment to an example where spikenard was used as an act of sacrifice and worship. John 12:3 tells how Mary, who woman broke a very costly jar of spikenard in order to pour and anoint the precious feet of Jesus. Though she was harshly criticized for her ‘waste’, Jesus was deeply touched by her unabandoned worship, and proclaimed she had ‘anointed’ Him for burial! What a statement, can you imagine how the disciples and others must have been confounded by this statement?
Mary was being obedient to the Holy Spirit. Jesus praised her for her ‘prophetic’ act. She may or may not know what she was actually doing, but obviously the Holy Spirit was directing her. There is an astounding progression of worship here.
First, she humbled and prostrated herself before Him, weeping, demonstrating brokenness. Then she wiped His feet with her hair. Hair is spoken of by the apostle Paul in the epistles as a covering. Thus, Mary is demonstrating her complete surrender and submission to Jesus, proclaiming Him as her Lord. Then the fragrance of the spikenard filled the room! Truly she must have perceived the pain, the grief of Jesus in her own heart, and thus it lead her to worship and make an open prophetic proclamation in front of others! When we come before our King in worship (and intercession as well) we should follow this progression, being sensitive to His emotions, His desires, His purposes, and then be obedient for any ‘prophetic’ demonstration of love He may put in our hearts to do!
Truly, in our deepest times of brokenness and grief if we make choice to humble ourselves and pour ourselves out in worship then the prophetic will flow out of us and we will receive deep revelation from Him. In fact, when we are the most ‘broken’, even when we feel like we are the ‘chief of sinners’, is when we will be most likely to receive the fullest revelation of Him! Hallelujah! Perhaps that is why Jesus said He would prefer us to be hot or cold, rather than lukewarm
(Revelation 3)
We can often judge a person’s spirituality by what kind of fragrance is coming out of their spirit. Is it a spirit of complaining, unforgiveness, bitterness, self pity, self rejection, murmuring, fear, or is one of joy, love, thankfulness, hope, faith, etc?
What kind of fragrance is your spirit emitting to others (and to Him) today?
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Discussion questions C-1:12:
1.Share a time when the Holy Spirit led you (or someone else) to do a prophetic act in worship or intercession, whether you were alone or in a group of people. If you were with others, was your (or the person doing the act) ‘act’ received by others? How did if affect the ‘atmosphere’ of worship/intercession?
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SS 1:13 A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, That lies all night between my breasts.
The Shulamite comments that her well-beloved is a bundle of myrrh…unto her. The term myrrh refers to an aromatic gum (or resin) from the bark of a tree, which like spikenard was expensive and imported into Israel. In solid form it was placed in a pouch and worn close to the body, and it is this picture she implies when she says that her lover is a bundle of myrrh unto her. In other words, he is soon to be physically close to her as they consummate the marriage, and in fact, like a pouch of myrrh hanging on a necklace between the breasts, he shall lie all night betwixt her breasts.
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Discussion question C-1:13:
1. Have you ever felt the need to have myhrr (the ointment for death of something in your life) applied to your feelings and emotions? How did the Lord do this?
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SS 1:14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blooms, In the vineyards of En Gedi.
Similarly, her beloved is unto her as a cluster of camphire or henna blossoms in the vineyards of Engedi. Again, the imagery relies on scent to convey sensuality. Camphire is an archaic term for henna, a shrub whose blossoms are aromatic and used to make perfume, among other products. Engedi is an oasis on the southwestern shore of the Dead Sea, a picture of green in the middle of a desert that supported lush vegetation such as the camphire. Her Solomon is a fragrant oasis that she may soon enter and enjoy as the marriage is consummated.
This plant growing in Israel
Hemp oil benefits: Healing
Marriage being consummated:
We are betrothed to Jesus/Yeshua
The Betrothal Ceremony. Almost all covenants in the Bible begin with a public ceremony. This was certainly true of first century Jewish marriages. While a full wedding ceremony wouldn’t take place for some time, it was expected that the couple would publicly declare their covenant pledges in a betrothal ceremony soon after the woman accepted the proposal.
The Betrothal Period. Ancient Jewish couples were betrothed to one another for one or more years before they had a wedding ceremony and consummated their marriage. Yet, this betrothal period was not anything like modern “engagements” that can be easily called of. The betrothal period was a time when the bride and groom were supposed to prepare themselves for the life they were going to soon share together. The husband often went away and prepared a home for the future family while the woman would engage in practices that prepared her for her future life as a wife and mother.
This betrothal period is presupposed in many of Jesus’ teachings, such as his parable about the virgins who hadn’t prepared themselves for the returning bridegroom. This betrothal period is also presupposed in the New Testament’s teaching about the need for the bride to “make herself ready” (Rev. 19).
The Betrothal Gift. It was customary for a first century Jewish groom to express the sincerity of his pledge to his newly betrothed bride by giving her a precious gift. It was the bride’s assurance while her groom was away that he would indeed return for her.
Jesus gives us the precious betrothal gift of the Holy Spirit (John 16). The Holy Spirit is a seal or guarantee.
2 Cor. 1:22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
Jesus also doesn’t want us to feel abandoned or distressed in his absence, so he gives us “the Comforter” (John 16:7) who is the assurance of our future inheritance in Christ (Eph 1:14).
The Consummation of the Marriage. Finally, when the home was prepared and the bride had made herself ready, the groom would return for his bride as a thief in the night. The whole community would engage in a magnificent wedding celebration and the couple would consummate their marriage. Given the marriage framework of the New Testament’s understanding of our relationship with God, we’re not surprised to discover that this is precisely how heaven is depicted in the book of Revelation.
Also, in Revelation: Rev.3:3 “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
3:3 Remember therefore what it felt like when you first heard and embraced the word as your own! It was like discovering a priceless treasure! Now make up your mind once and for all! Why should I surprise you like a thief and break into your space while you are fast asleep and not even anticipating my intimate intent; not knowing the moment of my visitation? Mirror
Dispensational: The first thing Christ demands is repentance. I will come . . . as a thief refers to an unexpected historical judgment/justice, not the Second Coming.
The Hebrew idiom, like a thief in the night, refers to the surprise element; this is in reference to one of the traditions of the Jewish marriage practices as celebrated in the 1st century, where the Groom comes to “retrieve” his Bride at an unexpected moment. This is to be looked for with joyful expectation. Mirror
The thief in the night is a good thing!
Some see the thief as we know the enemy as a thief, trying to steal righteous nature (wrong thinking in your mind). John 10:10 He can steal kill and destroy no longer; he is trying to steal the light and replacing it with darkness in your mind only if you allow.
Jesus, our Lord, is gathering us into one place, a place of real love.
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Discussion question C-1:14:
- Do you discern darkness and flee from it or replace that darkness with the Light of the Lord? Explain how you do this.
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The Beloved
SS1:15 Behold, you are fair, [j]my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes.
Shulamite’s lover responds to her, thou art fair or beautiful, my love or my darling. So arrested with her beauty, Solomon/Bridegroom again exclaims, exclaims, behold, thou art fair. Before he focused on her apparel and jewelry, but now on her eyes, described as doves’ eyes. We must understand that she is likely arrayed in a long robe that covers nearly all of her body except her eyes, making them a particularly prominent feature of what he can see. That is why his description before and now is necessarily limited. The full significance of the phrase doves’ eyes is widely debated, although obviously a complement of her strikingly beautiful eyes. This imagery will be used again in the Song and the reader is referred to the notes on Song 5:12.
Dove’s eyes- having soft gentle eyes. A dove is used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). It is also an emblem of purity, innocence and harmlessness (Matthew 10:16). Doves have extremely keen eyesight and doves do not have peripheral vision. They can only see what’s right in front of them. … They don’t get distracted.
Doves are first known in the Bible as symbols of peace, for when Noah reached out to draw the dove back into the ark, he saw that the dove had returned with an olive branch in its beak. The next major appearance of a dove was at Jesus’ baptism, when our Father chose to send the Holy Spirit to come down and rest upon Jesus in the form of a dove
The Lord is dedicated to developing dove’s eyes in all His people. He wants us to see others as He sees them, focusing on their beauty, not their failures. He wants us to look at ourselves gently also, aware of our faults, but appreciating the beautiful life of Christ which grows stronger in us every day. And above all else, He wants us to see Him as He really is, gentle and tender hearted to all.
In the Song of Solomon, the Lord compliments His Bride, for He sees within her a quality that He intensely desires to cultivate and use.
“Behold, you are fair, my love! behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes.” Song of Solomon 1:15
More on dove’s eyes:
When a dove fixes its gaze upon its mate, it is not distracted by any activities around it. Therefore, a dove is often referred to as being a “love bird,” as it has what appears to be a “single eye” toward another dove.
Our Lord complimenting us for having this “dove’s eye” indicates that we have cultivated a spiritual sensitivity that will lift us above the pulls and distractions of the earthly, so we can respond to the Lord’s presence, in obedience to His desire and purpose.
The Lord’s approbation (divine favor) rests upon those who have this “single eye” toward Him.
“If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” Isaiah 1:19
This is possible only in those who have cultivated a close personal relationship with the Lord. These can be easily led by Him, for they are close enough to see which way His “eye” is looking, in relation to His intention for them.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8
This “eye” guidance is silent, and is beyond any “word” that we might hear or receive.
Our being led by the gaze of our Lord’s eye is dependent on our living very close to Him. It means that we have made a total commitment to live and walk in His presence and have an active personal relationship with Him.
In contrast, the eye of a horse has a very different characteristic. A horse is distracted by side vision. Therefore, it must have “blinders” placed beside each eye, and a “bit” set within its mouth. Only then can it be kept on the path. Therefore, we are admonished:
“Be you not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near to you.” Psalm 32:9
Once we have developed this “single eye” toward the Lord, we will no longer respond to Him as being like a horse or mule (according to our desires). Instead, we will have become responsive to guidance by the Lord alone and can ask of Him knowledge and wisdom.
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Discussion question: C-1:15:
1.Explain how you think developing a single eye toward the Lord means.
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The Shulamite
SS1:16 Behold, you are handsome, my beloved! Yes, pleasant! Also our [k]bed is green. The beams of our houses are cedar ,And our rafters of fir.
The Shulamite responds in kind to Solomon’s admiration, behold thou art fair, my beloved, yea pleasant or delightful. She continues with the comment, also our bed is green. Because earlier verses indicated that Shulamite is most likely arrayed for her wedding and her king is at the banqueting table, the comments she makes here are better understood as figurative in nature, which also best fits the repeated figurative use later in the Song of gardens, vineyards, plants and trees with sensual overtones. As she eagerly anticipates the consummation of their marriage, Shulamite’s words that our bed is green is a statement that their marriage bed is ready, that is, that they have reached the appropriate time to consummate the marriage. The bed is green because it is the Spring season when the flora blooms and grows to a lush state (in contrast to the Fall and Winter). Just as it is the right time for the foliage to abound, it is the right time for their union–the waiting is over. It is helpful to keep in mind that in Jewish wedding traditions, the man would prepare the bedroom for his bride, and here the statements that the beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir, suggests both that the marital bedroom (chuppah) is ready and that it is lavish.
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Discussion questions C-1:16:
1. From Shulamite’s description, what do we know about Solomon/Bridegroom that makes him exceptional?
2. What makes the Lord exceptional that nothing can compare to Him?
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SS 1:17 The beams of our houses are cedar, And our rafters of fir.
SS 1:16 Cont.’: and SS 1:17
“Behold, You are fair, my Beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.” Song of Solomon 1:16-17
The cedar tree was a common tree of that area. She is saying that her home is very ordinary. The humility of her heart is evident as she tells the Lord, “You are speaking about this tremendous potential of righteousness and royalty which You see as being within me, but I am just a simple, ordinary person.”
Then she added, “I am but a rose of Sharon, and a lily of the valleys.” There were multiplied tens of thousands of these, the hillsides and valleys were covered with them. “I am just one of many, Lord, why should You single me out, what do You see in me?”
His reply was:
“As the lily among thorns, so is My love among the daughters.” Song of Solomon 2:2
The Lord is saying, “You may be just one among all these, but I saw the hunger of your heart when you cried from the depth of your being – draw me.” Also, you expressed an intense desire for something beyond your present spiritual experience when you said, “I will run after You.”
Even though she had no special gifts or talents, the Lord saw the spiritual hunger and potential that was within her and told her that she was as a lily among thorns. “Divine approbation,” or favor is now resting upon her.
She responded with an attempt to say something nice to Him.
Remember the parable of the sower where seed is sown among thorns. Matt. 13:12 22 “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
This was not so with the Shulamite. She had endured the thorns and survived as a beautiful lily.
A lovely picture of the glorified Christ sitting at the right hand of the Father, more than a conqueror! In which we are as well.
Rom. 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
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Discussion question:
1.How have you overcome the thorns of life and have turned into a beautiful lily?
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At the end of C- 1 here is a video for your enjoyment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnMoiq_H1Ak