Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Song of Solomon 2:1 - 2:7

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Song of Solomon 2:1 - 2:7


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

The Mutual Love of Christ and the Church.

The Bride Protests the Fervor of her Love

v. 1. I am the rose of Sharon, the wild flowers of this plain being noted for their beauty, and the lily of the valleys, the elegant red lily of Palestine being referred to. The Bridegroom readily agrees to this comparison.

v. 2. As the lily among thorns, so is My love among the daughters,
surpassing them to such an extent that their dingy stalks were not even noticed. And the bride, inflamed by His praise, calls out:

v. 3. As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood,
surpassing them all in desirability, so is my Beloved among the sons. I sat down under His shadow with great delight, literally, "In His shadow delighted I to sit," more than satisfied with His companionship, and His fruit was sweet to my taste, she enjoyed all His gifts and blessings.

v. 4. He brought me to the banqueting-house,
the apartment set apart for the drinking of wine, the banquet-hall, and His banner over me was love, which protected and comforted her at all times.

v. 5. Stay me with flagons,
rather, with grapes or raisin-cakes, a refreshing confection of the Orient; comfort me with apples, whose refreshment also was delightful; for I am sick of love, her love is so ardent that she feels weak from its powerful reaction upon her entire body and therefore needs refreshment of some kind.

v. 6. His left hand is under my head,
in a fond caress, and His right hand doth embrace me.

v. 7. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
in a very strong objurgation, 1Sa_17:55; 2Sa_11:11, by the roes and by the hinds of the field, fit symbols of tender and ideal love, that ye stir not up nor awake my Love till he please, literally, "awaken love till it please," all frivolous coquetry in the relation toward Christ being excluded.

The meaning is again clear. The Church praises the beauty which she has received from the Lord, and He not only agrees to her description, but even places her in contrast to the base growths of false churches, which try to sap the life of the Church with their doctrines of works. In an ecstatic monolog the bride now sets forth the excellencies of Christ, the safety of His protection, the richness of His blessings, the thought of which so fills her heart with bliss that it cannot contain it all. It is the great mystery of the relation between Christ and His Church, Eph_5:32. At such times, which are occasionally granted to the Church, the Lord does not wish her to be disturbed. The Church is in His keeping, even as she jealously watches over every indication of a false expression of affection toward Him.