Which Way

Song of Solomon 1:8-13

If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.

Here King Solomon explains the problem to his Song. See her prior testimony, "my mother's children were angry with me." Who was King Solomon's mother but Queen Bathsheba whose husband was slain dishonorably in battle by King David's hand. Growing up in that house, he would have been familiar with Abigail. She was another woman whose husband regarded neither God nor man. He was churlish to David during his wandering. These stray women David picked up were not alone in his time. Their children also grew to be just as troubled. These were times of little peace or safety even among the other shepherds. Thus, the invitation to go out and see for herself would have been an insult. None would have been as well cared for as Solomon's flocks. For we see the other women that followed the shepherds carried their kids with them. Some even fed them beside the other shepherd's tents. Others walked in the footsteps of the flock as those left behind. As if the little Song did not already know considering what the keeper of the vineyards had already been through. If such was not the case, King Solomon and his Song would have needed a lot of therapy. Well, they already did but I am speaking of the sort of couple's therapy that accompanies infidelity. More than that, the use of multiple women to fill a base almost animalistic need to conquer would have been evident. Suffice to say, but there was a problem in those days that seems to have found its' way into the house of God.

I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.

Talk about a mixed metaphor. The text sounds like Solomon says his Song is like the company of horses. Should the company of stabled suddenly move into the house and begin giving the master orders? Dear Pharaoh had many chariots of the army to ride and only one favorite one that was dedicated his. You might be very angry now and saying, 'you teller of lies.' But history has shown that when Pharaoh was buried, he was also accompanied by his favorite stuff, pets, staff, and family in some cases. Solomon might be in the company of many, but there is only one for this Song. In this we see there are many mares and stallions, but there is much to the one. For instance, my husband is like my best friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, ex, and husband all at once. As there are many horses and chariots to ride, so is there only one Pharoah at a time. Solomon should have been so wise that he would tolerate no nonsense, no disrespect, and no others. It would be an error not to say that the people of the time had a problem with justice, mercy, and walking humbly before God and man. Micah 6:8 speaks of these conditions as they do today. These problems were present in that day, the time of Jesus, and this one even today. How God can save and provide even in this time is beyond me altogether. It is who he is that brooks no others. Or as Meghan Three Stallion describes in the story of how she got that ring because someone was good to her. In the words of the church, 'somebody was favored.'

Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.

Some have said this verse can be applied to the little sister of the Song. If such is the case, we will soon see scenes from Sister Wives in Song and Solomon's house. But God is not a ruler over disorder, is he? Let us look closer at this thing here. First, I believe the little Song no longer lives with those of her mother's house having been made one with Solomon. There is a leaving and cleaving seen in this relationship here. The result is that the little Song is the only one all by herself in her beauty before the king. Solomon is telling her in these verses about herself. Who better to know you than the bridegroom and the lover of your soul, Christ Jesus himself. He sees who you were and whence he pulled you from even out of the miry clay in Psalm 40:2. Solomon knew where his little Song had come from and where she was headed. He knew her even when she was but a breath that the wind was ready to drive away. Back in ancient Egyptian times, it was customary to hang jewels from the hair over the cheeks. So also, it was the custom to cover the neck in chains of gold to emphasize the service and those served alike. Just because it is made of gold does not make the chains any less of a trap, a binding, or a service role than before. Even when she was a mare among Pharoah's chariots, God had known and loved the little Song according to 1 Kings 11:1. For if you do not know, he called her for himself and brought her from a long way as in Psalm 18:19. You might be saying to yourself, 'how can this be?' But this is why you need the Lord to bring you from a far place and a long way. Only he can do it for you; then you will find yourself lacking nothing as in James 1:4

We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.

Solomon had to look back to where God had called her from because she got an attitude due to her service in the vineyards. Both needed reminding whose they were and whom they served. Now he looks forward to her in the future. "Borders of gold" speak of the condition of the people whose vineyards she had tended. Now in 1 Kings 11:11-13 the borders are going to be tried as in the furnace seven times as gold refined. The studs of silver speak of the condition of some of the people in Matthew 26:15. However, it is still a very large place and not quite the winepress, the vineyard, or the wine to which they had drank. Yes, there might be a spiritual condition remaining and a few issues. However, God had even their borders surrounded, and their studs covered. The posts of the earrings may have been one thing, but God is able to change that. Even so, he is the one who adorns the whole house. It might be one thing now but not for very long. There might be a situation now, but when he is through, there is glory waiting. This is why it is good to have a spouse that speaks the same faith language as you. You can encourage each other. When one falls, the other and the Lord will uphold them. Therefore, in Psalm 37:25, they are not utterly forsaken.

While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

It is important to note that unequally yoked produces equally broke. King Solomon here had experienced the table of the Lord spoken of in Psalm 23:5. It is at this table that both he and his Song now sit. See now the shift in personalities and speakers as each call to the other like a pair of nesting doves. Young love is sweet but love that has been through some stuff and survived is even better. Together they sit at the table experiencing the goodness of the Lord. The spikenard is as the oils used to anoint Jesus for burial. Mark 14:9 speaks of the unknown woman that he tolerated. In prior books we discussed the difference between desire and toleration for a holy purpose. This Song has known both toleration and now desire at the hands of her current king and lover. There is a joining to be seen at this table as lovely joins homely. Both together smell up the whole house as sweet-smelling offerings unto the Lord. You would not understand unless you knew where they had been. If only you know what God had led them through and where he now brought them to. You might be saying to yourself 'but the sex on the table is just so wonderful.' Well, if I cannot talk to you like this then I do not want it. I want a marriage like the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. holding his wife in Boston with the Lord on their side more than anything else in this world.