Song of Solomon 6

King James Version

Full text for Song of Solomon Chapter 6

1¶ Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.

2My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

3I [am] my beloved's, and my beloved [is] mine: he feedeth among the lilies.

4¶ Thou [art] beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as [an army] with banners.

5Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair [is] as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.

6Thy 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.

7As a piece of a pomegranate [are] thy temples within thy locks.

8There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.

9My 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.

10Who [is] she [that] looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, [and] terrible as [an army] with banners?

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.

12Or ever I was aware, my soul made me [like] the chariots of Amminadib.

13Return, 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

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.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with the daughters of Jerusalem asking the bride where her beloved has gone, prompting her to state that he is in his garden, feeding and gathering lilies. The bride affirms her deep connection, declaring, 'I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine.' The groom then praises her beauty extensively, likening her to the comeliness of Tirzah and Jerusalem, and describing her as 'terrible as an army with banners.' He details her captivating eyes, hair, teeth, and temples. He emphasizes her singular status, stating that among many queens and concubines, his 'dove, my undefiled is but one,' and she is praised by all. The chapter concludes with the bride recounting her visit to the garden of nuts and the subsequent fervent call for the Shulamite to return, so that her captivating presence may be observed.

Long Summary

Song of Solomon chapter 6 commences with the daughters of Jerusalem asking the bride about the location of her beloved, expressing a desire to seek him with her. The bride responds, stating that her beloved has descended into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed and gather lilies. She then articulates a profound declaration of mutual belonging, proclaiming, 'I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.' Following this, the groom offers an elaborate and passionate commendation of her beauty. He compares her loveliness to Tirzah and Jerusalem, describing her as 'terrible as an army with banners,' and asks her to turn away her eyes, as they have overcome him. He praises her hair as a flock of goats from Gilead, her teeth as a flock of washed sheep, each bearing twins, and her temples as a piece of a pomegranate within her locks. The groom then highlights her unparalleled status, asserting that while there are many queens and concubines, his 'dove, my undefiled is but one,' and she is the cherished choice of her mother, praised by all who behold her. A rhetorical question follows, marveling at her radiant appearance, '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 then recounts her own excursion into the garden of nuts to observe the valley's fruits and the flourishing of vines and budding pomegranates. She describes being unexpectedly overcome, feeling like the chariots of Amminadib. The chapter concludes with an earnest and repeated call for the 'Shulamite' to return, so that others may gaze upon her, her presence being likened to 'the company of two armies.'

Core Concepts

  • Mutual PossessionThe bride declares a deep, reciprocal relationship with her beloved, stating, 'I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine,' emphasizing their inseparable bond.
  • Exalted BeautyThe groom praises the bride's beauty with lavish comparisons, likening her to the comeliness of Tirzah and Jerusalem, and describing her as radiant as the morning, moon, and sun.
  • Overwhelming PresenceThe groom describes the bride's gaze as so powerful it overcomes him, and her overall presence is twice described as 'terrible as an army with banners,' indicating her awe-inspiring and captivating nature.
  • Uniqueness of the BelovedDespite the presence of many queens and concubines, the groom affirms that his 'dove, my undefiled is but one,' highlighting her singular and unmatched value to him.
  • Garden ImageryThe garden serves as a significant setting, where the beloved goes to feed and gather, and where the bride herself visits to observe the growth of fruits and vines.
  • The Shulamite's ReturnThe chapter concludes with an urgent and repeated call for the 'Shulamite' to return, indicating a desire for her presence and the captivating spectacle she presents.