Song of Solomon 2

17 verses

TL;DR

The second chapter of the Song of Solomon is a lyrical dialogue in which the speaker, a woman of Jerusalem, extolls her beloved as a natural marvel and invites him to share the delights of spring, while addressing the daughters of Jerusalem to respect their love.

Summary

The chapter opens with the speaker identifying herself as a rose of Sharon and a lily of the valleys, using nature to signal beauty and grace. She compares her beloved to an apple tree amid the forest, expressing delight at his sweetness. The beloved is portrayed as an intimate companion who brings her to a banqueting house and blesses her with love. The speaker longs for him, calling for feasting and comfort, and declares her heart’s sickness of love. She admonishes the daughters of Jerusalem not to disturb their love until the beloved is ready. The beloved appears as a swift, young hart, standing by a wall, and speaks a call for the speaker to rise and follow him. The verses celebrate the arrival of spring, with flowers, birds, figs, and grapes, urging the beloved to come. A dove is invited into the rocky clefts, revealing the beauty of the beloved’s voice and face. The speaker asks for protection from foxes that would harm the vines, and affirms the mutual possession between them. The final verses describe the beloved as a roe upon the mountains of Bether, urging the love to be present as dawn breaks.

Outline

Affirmation of beauty and invitation to the beloved using natural imagery
Celebration of spring and the beloved’s arrival
Intimate declaration of mutual possession and protection

Themes

Romantic love expressed through natureInvitation and longingMutual possession and protection

Keywords

lovebelovedspringnatureintimacylongingbeautyrenewal

People

I (the speaker)My belovedDaughters of Jerusalem

Places

SharonValleysJerusalemMountainsBether

Things

RoseLilyApple treeFruitBanqueting houseFlagonsApplesLoveRoeHindsWindowLatticeFig treeVineGrapeFoxesDoveTurtle (bird)Mountains of Bether

Key Verses

Song of Solomon 2:4: Introduces the beloved’s invitation and the banqueting house, establishing the setting for love’s celebration.
Song of Solomon 2:8: Describes the beloved as a swift, young hart, emphasizing his vitality and the anticipation of union.
Song of Solomon 2:12: Marks the arrival of spring, a metaphor for renewal and the beginning of the beloved’s presence.
Song of Solomon 2:16: Affirms mutual possession and partnership, underscoring the depth of the relationship.

Questions

How does the poet use natural imagery to portray romantic love?
What does the appeal to the daughters of Jerusalem signify about the nature of the speaker’s love?
In what ways does the theme of renewal appear throughout the chapter?
What protective concerns does the speaker raise, and what do they suggest about their environment?
How does the mutual possession expressed in verse 16 deepen our understanding of their relationship?

Sentiment

positive
The tone is joyful and affectionate, though tinged with longing.