Moving On (Song 8:5-16)

This is the final poem in the overall Song. In verse 5, we have a question from observers about a chariot in which two lovers are relaxing. Then in verses 6 and 7, we get to hear what they are saying to one another. It looks to me that the poem is a continuation of the previous one in which the King and the woman went for a tour of the countryside. Now they are returning together. The wilderness describes uncultivated areas round the city to which they are travelling.

The first comment that we can make is that the travelling has strengthened the affection of the woman. We can see this is the case from her posture, which the observers can eas1ly see. She has visited several of the King’s properties with him and the effect is that she now enjoys his love. This is a good picture of what happens to believers when they visit the means of grace with Jesus. The outcome for them is greater assurance of his love for them.

The conversation

The King speaks in verse 5b. He refers to the birth of his beloved and claims to have an involvement in it. In a literal sense, it would have been impossible for Solomon to have been involved in her birth, so the King’s words are not pointing to a physical experience. But when we transfer them to the spiritual realm we can see how the King was involved in the new births of his people.

The location of her birth is said to be the apple tree. The apple tree was a place of protection from the heat and it was also a place of provision of fruit. And we can say that when a person is born again they are in such a place – they are safe spiritually and they are provided for spiritually.

We could deduce from the King’s reference to her birth that he delights to speak to her about how she became his. That is true in any relationship of love, and it is very true in the spiritual world. Every time Jesus says to one of his people that he or she is his, he is referring to how it began and is continuing.

The woman responds in verses 6 and 7. She asks the King to maintain a strong sense of love for her. This is what she means by asking him to have her as a seal on his heart and on his arm. We can see that she refers to something invisible (heart) and something visible (arm). In the setting of the poem, she is being returned home and the King is going away on other duties (v. 14). What she has enjoyed recently is coming to a close and therefore she wants assurance that she will still be in his affections. We can experience something similar when we come to an end of a conference or a communion weekend in which we have enjoyed the special company of Jesus but are now anticipating going back to normality.

The woman is speaking to the King according to her desires. Her words are connected to the past, but are also focussed on realism about the future. She wants the King to always remember her in all that he does. Solomon perhaps realised his own failures when he included these words. But we know that the real King of the Song will never refuse such a petition from the one he loves.

The woman describes her love in verses 5b and 6 and she uses four very graphic descriptions. First, when she uses death and the grave, she says that her love is unstoppable and will refuse a denial of its intent. After all, who can prevent death and the grave overcoming them? Second, it is like intense heat that burns within her. Third, it cannot be drowned by the storms of life. Fourth, it is of more value than anything else. Of course, her love for him is only an imitation of his love for her. This is very true in the Christian life as well. While we never have the same degree of love as Jesus has, our love is like his.

A healthy Christian is conscious of this fourfold love, even if it is not as strong as she would like it to be. She knows that she will always love Jesus, that her heart burns when his name is mentioned (like the two on the way to Emmaus), that the worst of storms don’t diminish it, and she places it at the top of her spiritual priorities.

Reaching the house

The King and his beloved reach the house where he is going to leave her for a while. In the house, there are her friends, the daughters of Jerusalem, and they speak in verses 8 and 9. The topic of their words is one whom they call a little sister who has not yet developed physically. They promise to do two things for her by strengthening her wall and giving her a beautiful door. In their words, we have a statement of commitment, and they illustrate the desires of mature believers to help others to prepare her for a future meeting with the King.

Woman – development and dedication (vv. 10-12)

The woman replies in verse 10 and mentions that she used to me like the little sister, but because of what had been done for her she had matured. Her growth had brought great desire to the King who had found rest and satisfaction in her company. This is a reminder that the King wants his people to have fellowship with one another in their day to day lives about how they can help one another and how they should develop.

Then the woman refers to the practice of letting out vineyards. She mentions that the King had let out his vineyard to keepers who were assured of success in bearing fruit and which would bring income to the King. Then she refers to her own vineyard, which seems to have 1200 vines in it. She gives one thousand to Solomon and two hundred to those who look after the vineyard. In effect, she is dedicating her possessions to the King. And why should she not do so, given that he produces very fruitful vines.

The outcome of her spending time with the King is discussion with others and dedication to his cause. And this is a picture of how believers respond after spending time with their King. They want to talk with one another and they want to give what they have to the furtherance of his kingdom.

The King’s departing encouragement (v. 13)

The King is obviously delighted with the way the woman is interacting with her friends as they walk together in the gardens around the house to which he has brought her. We know the description given of God in Malachi 3:16 as he listens in to a group of believers having fellowship with one another: ‘Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.’

Yet the King wants to hear her speaking to him as well while he is away, which of course would not make sense in a literal setting. In the spiritual life, communion is always possible. In what ways can a believer speak to Jesus? She can speak appreciatively, thankful for past blessings. She can speak anticipatively, as she looks forward to future grace. She should speak accurately, although there will be times when she may not know what to say. And she can speak ardently, because that is what love does.

Where will she be when she speaks in this way to the King? She will be in the gardens, cultivated places connected to the house. I don’t think it is too difficult to see the gardens as depicting the means of grace, where refreshment and rest are found. In other words, the normal Christian life.

The woman – her parting desire (v. 14)

The song closes with the woman’s expression of longing for another period of love with her beloved. She tells the King to return speedily like a fast-running deer. This means that she is aware that he could come very quickly, and since he will come from the mountains of spices he will be very fragrant when he does. This points to the fact that Jesus can come with alacrity and with heavenly aromas. She can speak in this way from experience, because she has just enjoyed such a period with the King. We should remember that he can come quickly in any of the means of grace that he has provided. When we pick up the Bible, or have a time of prayer, or spend a few moments in meditation, we should do so with the thought that he may come in a special way in answer to our earnest desire.