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The theme of this chapter is most definitely reconciliation. As Hank has written, any successful marriage must involve lots of forgiveness. But there are several contextual questions I asked as I read this chapter. Take this statement by Solomon as an example…
“There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and maidens without number; but my dove, my perfect one, is unique…”
It’s no secret Solomon had lots of women. Was he comparing her to all the others? A closer look reveals there is no language of relationship to any of these he is describing. He goes from 60 to 80 to “all women” in his description. This was a common literary effect that illustrated the simple truth he felt in his heart. His beloved was far above any other woman. He affirms this in the next verse (9) by affirming that she is literally the best of the best. So, yes, there may be a general comparison but there is no indication that Solomon is directly comparing her to the women he has been in a relationship with.
Verses 11 and 12 seem really out of place. It goes from Solomon praising his beloved to talking about his stroll through the garden and the chariots of his kinsmen. Commentators agree on the difficulty of these passages and there is not really a good interpretation. The most likely scenario is that these verses are another example of the extreme love that these two have for each other.
We know it’s love because it’s not just words being spoken. It’s not just an attraction. There has been a conflict and forgiveness. The love that is promoted so much in our world today is a truly shallow emotion compared to what we read here in Song of Solomon.