seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Song of Songs 3:1 All night long on my bed
I looked for the one my heart loves;
I looked for him but did not find him.
2 I will get up now and go about the city,
through its streets and squares;
I will search for the one my heart loves.
So I looked for him but did not find him.
3 The watchmen found me
as they made their rounds in the city.
“Have you seen the one my heart loves?”
4 Scarcely had I passed them
when I found the one my heart loves.
I held him and would not let him go
till I had brought him to my mother’s house,
to the room of the one who conceived me.
5 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
6 Who is this coming up from the wilderness
like a column of smoke,
perfumed with myrrh and incense
made from all the spices of the merchant?
7 Look! It is Solomon’s carriage,
escorted by sixty warriors,
the noblest of Israel,
8 all of them wearing the sword,
all experienced in battle,
each with his sword at his side,
prepared for the terrors of the night.
9 King Solomon made for himself the carriage;
he made it of wood from Lebanon.
10 Its posts he made of silver,
its base of gold.
Its seat was upholstered with purple,
its interior inlaid with love.
Daughters of Jerusalem, 11 come out,
and look, you daughters of Zion.
Look[a] on King Solomon wearing a crown,
the crown with which his mother crowned him
on the day of his wedding,
the day his heart rejoiced.
a. Song of Songs 3:11 Or interior lovingly inlaid / by the daughters of Jerusalem. / 11 Come out, you daughters of Zion, / and look
I have decided that I don't like Shulamite either and the story is getting weirder for me. These excerpts are from easy English commentary.
After Solomon proposed to the young woman (2:12), she sent him away (2:17). Soon, she is sorry about her decision. She cannot sleep. She hopes that he will return to her. But she is afraid that she may never see him again.
The woman got up very early in the morning. The time was so early that the guards were still working. Their job was to protect the city during the night. She is looking everywhere for Solomon. And she asks the guards to help her. She seems desperate.
Solomon could have waited at the door. But he did not. He went away from her. He did not go far. But he still left. So she had to look for him.
When the young woman finds Solomon, she is not still proud. She now realises that she needs him. And she wants to be his wife. Last night she sent him away. Her proud words were very foolish. But this morning she invites him into her home. She wants him to meet her mother. It was the tradition that parents would arrange for the couple to become engaged (Judges 14:2; 2 Samuel 13:13).
The woman repeats her words from 2:7. But the meaning seems slightly different. She agrees that now is the right time for her and Solomon to become engaged. Their love feels wonderful. And she now knows that she needs him.
***The people in Israel loved special processions (Judges 21:19-23; 2 Samuel chapter 6). And they would organise processions for many reasons. So we cannot be sure about the reason for this procession.
Perhaps the procession is because the king and the young woman are engaged. Or perhaps it is their actual marriage procession.
Whatever the purpose of the procession may be, it reminds us about Solomon’s importance. Often in the Song, he behaves like any ordinary young man. But Solomon was not merely an ordinary young man. He was the king. In fact, he was Israel’s greatest king.
So Solomon has his wonderful procession. The procession even smells wonderful. The couple often speak about myrrh and incense. Such beautiful smells seem to describe love well. Their love, like a beautiful smell, makes them happy. And their love, like a beautiful smell, brings joy into the lives of other people too.
An ordinary young man would ask his friends to lead him to his bride. But Solomon’s procession is much better. Israel’s best soldiers act as his guard. They are wearing their uniforms. They are carrying their swords. These soldiers impress everyone who sees them. Everyone will realise that this is an important procession.
I am so sorry... I just don't buy the commentaries this morning. Some say this is all about the Christian Church..... I don't think so. When these poems were written.... Jesus of Nazareth had not been here yet. There was the Temple. It hadn't become personal. People looked at Jesus.... He walked around with them and talked to them. When these poems were written.... they only had God and they couldn't look at God.Everyone wants to make Solomon out to be some kind of hero. Solomon started off right.... He started off loving God.... but then he started worshiping the gods of the women he met.
Now.... about the "bringing him home"..... Back in the days of Solomon.... marriages were arranged. They weren't just a pop up.... they were arranged by the parents. It was often good for the tribe or to add to grazing land or to increase the number of men to help. If a man had all daughters, back in that day, he had no one to help him with the work. Having a son-in-law to help meant larger harvest going to market.
*** Check out the link Judges 21:19-23 This goes back to the wives of the Benjamites. Back in Judges 21 it says that none of the men of Israel would allow their daughters to marry a Benjamite. So the Benjamites decided to have a big parade.... and when everyone was distracted.... they kidnapped the women.
So.... now I have a new question..... Shulamite said her brothers were angry with her and made her work in the vineyards all day. Were they angry because she kept running off and kept being brought home by the night watchmen? Was there a shepherd boy who stole her heart? Was she then caught up in one of Solomon's sweeps to gather up more wives and concubines?
This chapter.... the second half about Solomon riding his fine horse.... sure reminds me of the fine parade in Judges 21.
Then there is the mention of "myrrh and incense"..... I googled myrrh..... and check it out.... it's restorative.... it's calming....it's a flippin' drug!
In some forms of Eastern medicine, myrrh is used for its restorative properties. The scent is said to boost the spirits and the soul, and is often used to alleviate the symptoms of nervous system disorders. In the Western world, myrrh sometimes is included as an ingredient in toothpastes and mouthwashes, thanks to its analgesic properties.
In addition to the resin, which is commonly used in spellwork and ritual, myrrh can be purchased as an oil as well. Found in many aromatherapy practices, myrrh oil is used to aid with healing of coughs and colds, insomnia, pain relief, and stimulation of the immune system.
I don't think she wants to be there.
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