Song of Solomon6

The chapter opens with the daughters of Jerusalem inquiring about the beloved's whereabouts, to which the bride responds that he has gone to his garden. She then declares her mutual possession with her beloved. The groom subsequently praises her beauty, comparing her to Tirzah and Jerusalem, and affirming her uniqueness above all other women.
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The Search and the Assurance

1
Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee. ​
2
My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies. ​
3
I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies. ​

The Groom Praises the Bride's Beauty

4
Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners. ​
5
Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead. ​
6
Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren among them.
7
As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.
8
There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number. ​
9
My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. ​
10
Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? ​

The Bride's Sudden Return

11
I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded. ​
12
Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib. ​
13
Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies. ​

Study Notes for Song of Solomon 6

Verse 1

The Daughters of Jerusalem (the Chorus) pose this question, continuing the dialogue from Chapter 5. Their inquiry demonstrates their growing interest and commitment to helping the Bride.

Verse 2

The Beloved (Groom) is depicted as tending his garden, a place of intimacy and cultivation. This image confirms his presence and devotion, resolving the anxiety of the previous chapter.

Verse 3

This declaration of mutual possession is a central theme of the Song, affirming the security and intimacy of their commitment, regardless of temporary separation or doubt (cf. 2:16).

Verse 4

Tirzah was a beautiful royal city, and Jerusalem represented perfection and majesty. The comparison to an 'army with banners' emphasizes the Bride's awe-inspiring, majestic, and formidable power over the Groom’s heart.

Verse 5

The Beloved acknowledges that the Bride's beauty is so compelling ('overcome me') that he must turn away. The description of her hair repeats the imagery of enduring, dark beauty first mentioned in 4:1.

Verse 8

The mention of numerous queens and concubines sets the stage for the contrast in the next verse, highlighting the societal norms of a royal court (likely Solomon’s).

Verse 9

The core affirmation: the Bride is 'but one.' Her singularity and uniqueness are emphasized, demonstrating that true love elevates the beloved above all others, regardless of worldly status or number.

Verse 10

This rhetorical question summarizes the Bride's radiant beauty. The comparison to the sun, moon, and morning signifies her perfection and growing splendor, confirming the high praise given by the other women (v. 9).

Verse 11

The Bride explains she retreated to the garden (perhaps a metaphor for reflection or their shared inner life) to assess the vitality and fruitfulness of their love.

Verse 12

This verse describes a sudden, overwhelming, and irresistible impulse of passion. The reference to the 'chariots of Amminadib' likely refers to a famous or noble chariot, signifying rapid, powerful movement driven by love.

Verse 13

The Daughters of Jerusalem call the Bride, the 'Shulamite,' to return. The final phrase, 'company of two armies' (Heb. *Mahanaim*), is complex, possibly referring to a captivating, dance-like beauty or the tension and splendor of her presence.

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