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Introduction

The chapter opens with the woman describing herself as a rose of Sharon and a lily of the valleys, a modest self description that her beloved elevates by comparing her to a lily among thorns, setting her apart from all others. She in turn compares him to an apple tree among the trees of the forest, delighting in his shade and the sweetness of his fruit, imagery suggesting protection, refreshment, and pleasure found in his presence.

The woman recalls being brought to his banqueting house, his banner over her being love, a picture of being publicly claimed and cherished. She speaks of being lovesick, longing for his comfort, resting in his embrace as he supports her.

She then issues a charge to the daughters of Jerusalem not to stir up or awaken love until it pleases, a repeated refrain in the book emphasizing the importance of allowing love to develop in its proper time rather than forcing intimacy prematurely.

The scene shifts to springtime imagery. The beloved arrives, leaping over mountains like a gazelle, calling to her from outside her window. He invites her to rise and come away with him, describing the beauty of spring: flowers blooming, the turtledove’s voice heard, fig trees ripening, and vines in blossom. This section poetically celebrates the season of renewal and invites the woman into shared joy and fellowship.

She is called his dove hidden in the clefts of the rock, and he longs to see her face and hear her voice, showing tender desire for closeness and communication. The chapter also mentions foxes that spoil the vines, likely symbolizing small dangers or distractions that can harm a budding relationship if not addressed.

The chapter closes with the woman affirming that her beloved is hers and she is his, and she invites him to be like a gazelle on the mountains until the day breaks, a poetic expression of anticipation and closeness.

Chapter 2

1 I am a rose of Sharon, a flower of the valleys.
2 As the lily-flower among the thorns of the waste, so is my love among the daughters.
3 As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my loved one among the sons. I took my rest under his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
4 He took me to the house of wine, and his flag over me was love.
5 Make me strong with wine-cakes, let me be comforted with apples; I am overcome with love.
6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand is round about me.
7 I say to you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes of the field, do not let love be moved till it is ready.
8 The voice of my loved one! See, he comes dancing on the mountains, stepping quickly on the hills.
9 My loved one is like a roe; see, he is on the other side of our wall, he is looking in at the windows, letting himself be seen through the spaces.
10 My loved one said to me, Get up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
11 For, see, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
12 The flowers are come on the earth; the time of cutting the vines is come, and the voice of the dove is sounding in our land;
13 The fig-tree puts out her green fruit and the vines with their young fruit give a good smell. Get up from your bed, my beautiful one, and come away.
14 O my dove, you are in the holes of the mountain sides, in the cracks of the high hills; let me see your face, let your voice come to my ears; for sweet is your voice, and your face is fair.
15 Take for us the foxes, the little foxes, which do damage to the vines; our vines have young grapes.
16 My loved one is mine, and I am his: he takes his food among the flowers.
17 Till the evening comes, and the sky slowly becomes dark, come, my loved one, and be like a roe on the mountains of Bether.

Important Verses

  • Song of Solomon 2:4 “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.” This verse illustrates the security and public affirmation found within committed love.
  • Song of Solomon 2:7 “I charge you… that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.” This recurring refrain teaches the value of patience and proper timing in romantic relationships.
  • Song of Solomon 2:10-13 The invitation to “rise up, my love… and come away” using springtime imagery reflects the joy and renewal found in genuine love.
  • Song of Solomon 2:16 “My beloved is mine, and I am his.” This affirms mutual belonging and commitment between the couple.

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