Song of Solomon 2

The chapter opens with the Shulamite describing herself as the "rose of Sharon" and "lily of the valleys," while her beloved praises her singular beauty. She then extols her beloved, finding comfort and delight in his presence, and describes their intimate embrace under a "banner of love." Later, the beloved calls her to join him, celebrating the arrival of spring, and she affirms their mutual belonging, expressing a desire for his continued presence.

The Shulamite begins by identifying herself as a "rose of Sharon" and "lily of the valleys," to which her beloved responds by likening her to a "lily among thorns." She then praises him as an "apple tree among the trees of the wood," delighting in his shadow and the sweetness of his presence. She recounts being brought to a "banqueting house" under his "banner of love," feeling overwhelmed with affection and embraced by him. She charges the "daughters of Jerusalem" not to awaken their love prematurely. Subsequently, she hears her beloved's voice, describing his eager approach like a swift roe. He invites her to "rise up" and "come away," celebrating the end of winter and the beauty of spring's blossoms and singing birds. He also requests the capture of "little foxes" that threaten their tender vines. The chapter concludes with her declaration of mutual possession, "My beloved is mine, and I am his," and a longing for his continued presence until daybreak.

The chapter commences with the Shulamite's self-description as a "rose of Sharon" and a "lily of the valleys," symbols of beauty and purity. Her beloved immediately affirms her loveliness by comparing her to a "lily among thorns," highlighting her singular charm. She then reciprocates, extolling her beloved as an "apple tree among the trees of the wood," finding profound delight and satisfaction in his protective shadow and the sweetness of his fruit. She vividly describes being brought into a "banqueting house," where the "banner over me was love," indicating a place of intimate fellowship and affection. Overwhelmed by her feelings, she declares herself "sick of love" and finds solace in his embrace, with his left hand under her head and his right hand embracing her. Following this tender moment, she issues a solemn charge to the "daughters of Jerusalem" by the swift creatures of the field, imploring them not to disturb or awaken their love until its proper time. A shift occurs as she hears the voice of her beloved, describing his eager approach, "leaping upon the mountains" and "skipping upon the hills," likening him to a swift roe or young hart. He appears behind their wall, looking through windows and lattices, and then speaks, inviting her to "rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." His invitation is set against the backdrop of spring's arrival: the winter is past, the rains are gone, flowers appear, birds sing, and fig trees and vines blossom with fragrant, tender grapes. He affectionately calls her "my dove," hidden in the rock clefts, desiring to see her countenance and hear her sweet voice. Amidst this idyllic scene, there is a practical concern: a plea to "take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines," protecting their blossoming relationship. The chapter culminates in her confident declaration, "My beloved is mine, and I am his," emphasizing their mutual belonging and devotion. She concludes with a longing for his continued presence, asking him to "turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether" until the day breaks and shadows flee.