Song of Solomon 2:15-17

TEXT 2:15-17

b. Intervention of the Brothers Song of Solomon 2:15-17

Their behest, Song of Solomon 2:15; Her avowal, Song of Solomon 2:16;

Her request to the shepherd, Song of Solomon 2:17.

15. Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, while our vineyards are in blossom. 16. My beloved is mine, and I am his; He pastures his flock among the lilies. 17. Until the cool of the day when the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle Or a young stag on the mountains of Bether.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 2:15-17

68.

How do these verses relate to what has just preceded?

69.

When did this incident take place? At what location?

70.

Is verse sixteen an answer to verse fifteen? Discuss.

71.

What request is being made in Song of Solomon 2:17?

PARAPHRASE 2:15-17

The Brothers:

15.

Go, trap for us the foxes

The little foxes that ruin our vineyards;
For our vineyards are in bloom.

Shulammite to the Brothers:

16.

My beloved is mine and I am his!

He (who) pastures his flock where the anemones grow.

Shulammite to the Shepherd:

17.

When the day cools and the shadows lengthen,

Return, my beloved, swift as a gazelle or a young deer.
Over the mountains of Bether.

COMMENT 2:15-17

Exegesis Song of Solomon 2:15-17

Let's not forget that Song of Solomon 2:8 to Song of Solomon 3:5 is a narration given in the court of Solomon to the court ladies of an incident that occurred some time earlier in the experience of the Shulammite with the shepherd and her brothers. When the shepherd came to call he received something less than a welcome from the brothers. Perhaps their attitude would account for her unwillingness to appear at the door. The request of the shepherd was viewed as a total waste of time, if not a threat to the safety of their sister. She has a job to do. The traps must be set for the foxes. The vines are threatened by these rodents. There is no time for frolicthere is work to be done.

She will dress the vines and catch the foxes but this will not dissuade her from devotion to her lover. He is mine, and I am his. I know just where he pastures his flock, and when I am through with my work I will go to him.

Returning to her beloved she asks him to call again, when the day cools and the shadows lengthenin the evening come againcome to me as swiftly as a gazelle or young deer. Perhaps they had both observed the fleet-footed deer on the mountains near their home and it is to this she refers in his swift return to her. Bether means separation or division. It was a definite locality near Bethbara (2 Samuel 2:29, Bithron) and was separated from the rest of Israel by the river Jordan. The region was cut up by hills and valleys, rough, craggy, and difficult to cross, hence the allusion in a symbolic sense. (Clarke)

Marriage Song of Solomon 2:15-17

Brother, sisters and mothers have all posed a threat to marriages. The demands by relatives are many times quite legitimate. This is what causes the rift. Such little foxes will cause all manner of havoc in married life. Yes, we must meet family responsibilities and catch a few foxesbut not to the extent of neglecting our love for the one to whom we have given our selves. To despise little things in relationships of love is to show ourself utterly ignorant of important facts of life. It is little things that often account for happiness or for sorrowa little remembrance, or a little forgetfulness. (A. F. Harper)
We could also observe that these verses also exemplify the attitude that keeps a marriage together and makes the two an inseparable one. My beloved is mine and I am his. I know just where he (or she) is and what he (or she) is doing. My interest is his interest, where he goes there goes my heart. As soon as possible come to me as swiftly as at all possible. Such a constant mutual giving to each other insures happiness.

Communion Song of Solomon 2:15-17

How often have we gone after the little foxes and lost our beloved? Just a little compromise with the worldjust a little disobedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit through our conscience; just a little indulgence of the flesh; it is easy to rationalize and justify all such action. Or perhaps the demands have no question about themthey are the affairs of this life in which we can be entangled and because of them we fail to please Him. (Cf. 2 Timothy 2:6)

We have pledged ourselves to our LordHe has never failed in his pledge to us. We know where we can find HimHe pastures His flock among the liliesit is a pleasant beautiful placelet's go find Him and spend some time in His garden. When the rapid pace of the work-a-day world has come to an end, let's find Him in the cool of the day. Or in the early morning before the shadows begin to form.

FACT QUESTIONS 2:15-17

116.

What response did the Shepherd receive from the brothers?

117.

Did the maiden catch the foxes? How did she plan on expressing her love.

118.

Interpret in your own words Song of Solomon 2:17.

119.

What are the little foxes of marriage?

120.

There is in this section the attitude that will hold a marriage together. What is it?

121.

In our communion with our Lord how can we go after the little foxes and lose our beloved?

122.

Where can we find our Lord? Is this a practical application of this text?