Song 1:15-2:7 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Song 1:15-2:7: 1:15–2:7 The couple exchange adoring descriptions of each other that honor her incomparable beauty and praise his stalwart protection and provision for her. 1:15 The comparison of the woman’s eyes with doves (see also 4:1 ; 5:12 ) is not clear. The metaphor may be commenting on their color or on a softness of expression.

Summary for Song 1:15-2:7: 1:15–2:7 ^a The couple exchange adoring descriptions of each other that honor her incomparable beauty and praise his stalwart protection and provision for her. 1:15 ^b The comparison of the woman’s eyes with doves (see also 4:1 ^c; 5:12 ^d) is not clear. The metaphor may be commenting on their color or on a softness of expression.
Summary for Song 1:16-17: 1:16-17 ^e grass is our bed ... branches are the beams ... firs are the rafters: The lovers imagine that their luxurious surroundings of grass and overhanging trees are their house. She does not need the royal, palatial surroundings of a king since these God-created natural surroundings are more than enough for her and her true lover.

• In a number of the poems the countryside is the place of happy intimacy. The man and the woman make their bed in the great outdoors and enjoy each other’s company.

‏ Song of Solomon 2:1-7

Summary for Song 2:1-7: 2:1-7 ^f In this short poem, the man and the woman exchange compliments. Using metaphors of flowers and trees, they describe the nature of their loving relationship, emphasizing his role as protector and provider.

• The poem ends (2:6 ^g) with the man and the woman in an intimate embrace.
Summary for Song 2:1-2: 2:1-2 ^h the lily of the valley:the lily of the valleys: The Hebrew shows the woman’s modesty and humility, as she claims to be but one flower among many in Sharon and in the expansive valleys of Israel.

• The man affirms her comparison to a lily, but says that her beauty is far from common; she is a lily among thistles.

• my darling (literally my companion): They are in love, and they are also friends.
2:3 ⁱ As she is the finest of small, beautiful flowers, he is like a larger and stronger apple tree. An apple tree is a sensuous image in the ancient Near East because of its delicious fruit and pleasant fragrance. In the intense heat of the Middle Eastern climate, a tree’s shade is more than refreshing; it can be life-saving (cp. Jon 4:6 ^j; Matt 13:32 ^k).
2:4 ^l He escorts me to the banquet hall: Dropping the image of the apple tree, the woman now speaks of the man as her provider at a feast.

• it’s obvious how much he loves me: Literally His banner over me is Love. He likes to tell others how much he loves her.
Summary for Song 2:5-6: 2:5-6 ^m The woman’s love is intense, his love overwhelming.

• If the Song is an anthology, the couple can be seen as married, and lovemaking is seen as so physically exhausting that she grows faint and calls for the sustenance of raisin cakes and apples. These foods were considered aphrodisiacs in the ancient Near East.

• Strengthen me: She now depends on him to revive her with the fruit of the earlier image—he is the apple tree, so he can provide apples for her renewed strength.

• His left arm is under my head: He tenderly supports her with his embrace as they lie together (see also 8:3 ⁿ).
2:7 ^o Promise me ... by the gazelles and wild deer: This plea is obviously important to the Song; it is repeated in 3:5 ^p and 8:4 ^q, and a promise is requested. When a promise was made, witnesses were needed, and the wild animals were the only witnesses present. These graceful animals suggest a romantic pastoral setting.

• not to awaken love until the time is right: As in 8:8-9 ^r, virginity is praised. The woman warns the women of Jerusalem to be cautious and not to hurry love.