Introduction: What an amazing study this truly is! As I have already said, the girl, mentioned here, was a Shulamite girl that was very poor. She was in love with her betrothed who was a shepherd in the hills. She was to get married to him, and they were very deeply in love.
Solomon was king at this time and was out to add women to his harem. When he saw the Shulamite girl, he wanted to add her to his "collection." He sought to bring her to his palace to love him. She refused all of his offers.
The song of songs is a beautiful a picture of the sweet relationship that should exist between Jesus and His people. Solomon is not the hero in this story, rather he is the villain. He did everything within his power to win her affection. Alas, he could not...praise the Lord!
In this study, we will see clearly some of the depth of the Shulamite's love for her shepherd boy.
1. The Shulamite to her shepherd. - Song 1:12-14
"While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved [masculine] unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. My beloved [masculine] is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi."
- For a short time, the shepherd is given the chance to meet with the Shulamite girl. During this time, they are able to speak to one another and speak of their love for each other.
- We know who speaks when because of the gender of the words used.
- Verse 12 tells us of the Shulamite's steadfast love for her shepherd, "While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof."
- Solomon's advances fail miserably. No matter what he does, her love for the shepherd remains unchanged.
- In this interview, she let's her lover know that she will not change. I'm sure he felt secure in what she had to say.
- She referred to him as a sweet smelling perfume, spikenard. While Solomon tried to sweet-talk her, she continually cried out for her shepherd.
- In verse 13, she refers to him as a little bag of myrrh she wore on a necklace which laid next to her heart all night, literally, all the time. This refers not to him personally but to her love and affection for him. She kept him close to her heart.
- Verse 14 is where she compares the shepherd to "...a cluster of camphire." This was a cluster of sweet-smelling flowers. She just couldn't get him out of her mind. To her, he was the handsomest man in the entire world. The thought of him just lingered and lingered.
2. The shepherd to the Shulamite. - Song 1:15
"Behold, thou art fair, my love [feminine]; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes."
- His words are quick in reply. In essence, he says to her, "No, it is YOU who is beautiful, not me!"
- Then, he makes a marvelous statement, "...thou hast doves' eyes." What in the world does this mean?
- It meant, plain and simple, she only had eyes for her shepherd...and he knew it! He uses this phrase twice as he addresses the Shulamite:* "Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes." (Song 1:15)
* "Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks..." (Song 4:1)- He said this because of the well-known behavior of the dove. Doves bond for life until one of them dies. He did not have a worry in the world about the eyes of his Shulamite wandering. He trusted her fully even in the presence of Solomon.
- Obviously, Solomon had wandering eyes. He was out looking for "just one more woman."
- The Shulamite and the shepherd only had eyes for each other.
3. The Shulamite speaks again. - Song 1:16-17
"Behold, thou art fair, my beloved [masculine], yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir."
- She speaks to him of their faithfulness to each other and what they had to look forward to when this is all over.
- She says, "No, it is YOU who is beautiful!" Love is not just an investment but also an exchange. It was important for him to say she was fair; it was just as important for her to say he was handsome. This was friendly fire, not an argument.
- She refers to the house he is preparing for them when they finally get married:* Their bed would be fruitful, "...our bed is green..."
* Their home would be strong, "...The beams of our house are cedar..." This refers to cedar arches.
* Their home would be beautiful and a place of rest and comfort, "...our rafters of fir." This refers to a place for retreat in their home.
Conclusion: With all of this said, I want to reiterate a few things that have been already stated. These are lessons for each one of us to earnestly consider.
1. Even in his absence, she kept him close to her heart.
- This is what should to with Jesus.
2. Even in his absence, she remained faithful.
- Absence should not make the heart go yonder! Jesus is coming soon, but He is not here yet. We are to remain faithful.
3. In his presence, she looked forward to their future.
- Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:2-3)
She was faithful and looked forward to the day they would be married. She had nothing to be ashamed of. However, if she weren't faithful as she should be, she would not look forward to that day.
The Bible says, "And now, little children, abide [remain faithful] in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." (1 John 2:28)
Let's allow the faithfulness of the Shulamite and the shepherd
speak to us in this study.