Bible Commentaries
Song of Solomon 4

Verses 1-7

SONG OF SOLOMON CHAPTER 4

BEAUTY OF THE SHULAMTE

Verses 1-7 express in great detail the shepherd’s admiration of the physical beauty of the Shulamite. Every feature is praised. None has a defect.

Verse 8

MARRIAGE EFFECTED

Verse 8 urges that she come with him into (not away from) the secluded privacy of the country that borders Lebanon, from whence the mountains of Hermon (Shenir) and Amana can be seen. He addresses the Shulamite as "my spouse" or bride and repeats it five more times in following statements through Song of Solomon 5:1, indicating marriage had been effected, actually, or in the mind. The desire of the principals is privacy where they may experience the joys of their union in wedlock.

Verses 9-15

THE SHEPHERD’S DELIGHT

Verses 9-11 further express the Shepherd’s delight in his Shulamite spouse; her eyes, perfume, and expressions of love are most delightful.

Verses 12-15 liken the spouse to an enclosed and locked garden containing a spring or fountain unavailable to outsiders. Within the garden also are pleasant plants, fruits, spices, perfumes and flowers. Such is a poetic description of the joy and satisfaction provided by the spouse of the beloved husband alone.

Verse 16

RESPONSE OF SPOUSE

Verse 16 expresses the agreement of the spouse that what had been described as "her garden" was also the garden of her beloved shepherd and he is free to come into "his garden" and enjoy "his" pleasant fruits.