Song of Solomon 6
BSBTogether in the Garden
The Friends
1Where has your beloved gone,
O most beautiful among women?
Which way has he turned?
We will seek him with you.
The Bride
2My beloved has gone down to his garden,
to the beds of spices,
to pasture his flock in the gardens
and to gather lilies.
3I belong to my beloved and he belongs to me;
he pastures his flock among the lilies.
The Bridegroom
4You are as beautiful, my darling, as Tirzah,
as lovely as Jerusalem,
as majestic as troops with banners.
5Turn your eyes away from me,
for they have overcome me.
Your hair is like a flock of goats
streaming down from Gilead.
6Your teeth are like a flock of sheep
coming up from the washing;
each has its twin,
and not one of them is lost.
7Your brow behind your veil
is like a slice of pomegranate.
8There are sixty queens and eighty concubines,
and maidens without number,
9but my dove, my perfect one, is unique,
the favorite of the mother who bore her.
The maidens see her and call her blessed;
the queens and concubines sing her praises.
The Friends
10Who is this who shines like the dawn,
as fair as the moon,
as bright as the sun,
as majestic as the stars in procession?
The Bridegroom
11I went down to the walnut grove
to see the blossoms of the valley,
to see if the vines were budding
or the pomegranates were in bloom.
12Before I realized it, my desire had set me
among the royal chariots of my people.a
The Friends
13Come back, come back, O Shulammite!
Come back, come back, that we may gaze upon you.
The Bridegroom
Why do you look at the Shulammite,
as on the dance of Mahanaim b?
Footnotes
12a Or among the chariots of Amminadab
13b Or the dance of the two camps
Study Notes — Song of Solomon 6
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Song of Solomon 6
- Themes from Song of Solomon 6
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Song of Solomon 6
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The chapter begins with the daughters of Jerusalem asking the bride where her beloved has gone, and she replies that he has gone to his garden to gather lilies. The groom then appears and praises the bride's beauty, comparing her to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots. He describes her eyes, hair, and teeth, and says that she is unique among women. The bride then responds, saying that she is a rose of Sharon and a lily of the valleys. The chapter ends with the groom saying that his bride is a garden, and that he will gather her lilies and make her his own.
Context for the Chapter
This chapter is part of the larger book of Song of Solomon, which is a collection of poems and songs that celebrate the love between a man and a woman. The book is often seen as an allegory of the relationship between God and his people, with the man and woman representing Christ and his church. This chapter fits into the larger narrative of the book by highlighting the beauty and uniqueness of the bride, and the groom's love and devotion to her.
Heart Application
This chapter can be applied to our lives by reminding us of Christ's love for his church, and the beauty and uniqueness of each individual believer. We can reflect on the ways in which Christ loves and cherishes us, and seek to respond to him with love and devotion.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter of Song of Solomon describes the love between a man and a woman, with the man praising the woman's beauty and seeking her out. The chapter can be seen as a picture of Christ's love for his church, with the woman representing the church and the man representing Christ. The verse 'I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine' (Song of Solomon 6:3) highlights the mutual love and devotion between Christ and his church.
Voices from the Church
“The love of Christ for his church is a love that surpasses all other loves, and is a love that will last for all eternity.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The church is the bride of Christ, and he loves her with a love that is pure and undefiled.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Bride's Search for Her Beloved (Song of Solomon 6:1-3) — The chapter begins with the daughters of Jerusalem asking the bride where her beloved has gone, and she replies that he has gone to his garden to gather lilies.
- The Groom's Praise of the Bride's Beauty (Song of Solomon 6:4-10) — The groom appears and praises the bride's beauty, comparing her to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots and describing her eyes, hair, and teeth.
- The Bride's Response (Song of Solomon 6:11-13) — The bride responds to the groom's praise, saying that she is a rose of Sharon and a lily of the valleys.
- The Groom's Love for the Bride (Song of Solomon 6:1-3, 13) — The groom says that he loves the bride and that she is his, and that he will gather her lilies and make her his own.
- Conclusion (Song of Solomon 6:13) — The chapter ends with the groom saying that his bride is a garden, and that he will gather her lilies and make her his own.
Core Doctrines
- The Love of Christ for His Church
- This chapter teaches that Christ loves his church with a love that is pure and undefiled, and that he seeks her out and praises her beauty.
- The Beauty and Uniqueness of the Church
- The chapter highlights the beauty and uniqueness of the church, with the bride being described as a rose of Sharon and a lily of the valleys.
- The Intimate Nature of the Relationship between Christ and His Church
- The chapter describes the intimate and personal nature of the relationship between Christ and his church, with the groom feeding among the lilies and the bride saying 'I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine'.
- The Eternal Nature of Christ's Love for His Church
- The chapter teaches that Christ's love for his church is an eternal love that will last for all eternity.
Lessons from Song of Solomon 6
- The Importance of Seeking Christ — The chapter teaches us the importance of seeking Christ and desiring a deeper relationship with him.
- The Beauty of the Church — The chapter highlights the beauty and uniqueness of the church, and reminds us of Christ's love for her.
- The Intimate Nature of the Relationship between Christ and His Church — The chapter describes the intimate and personal nature of the relationship between Christ and his church, and reminds us of the importance of responding to his love.
- The Eternal Nature of Christ's Love — The chapter teaches us that Christ's love for his church is an eternal love that will last for all eternity.
- The Importance of Praising Christ's Beauty — The chapter reminds us of the importance of praising Christ's beauty and seeking to deepen our relationship with him.
Themes from Song of Solomon 6
- The Love of Christ for His Church — The chapter teaches us about the love of Christ for his church, and reminds us of the importance of responding to his love.
- The Beauty and Uniqueness of the Church — The chapter highlights the beauty and uniqueness of the church, and reminds us of Christ's love for her.
- The Intimate Nature of the Relationship between Christ and His Church — The chapter describes the intimate and personal nature of the relationship between Christ and his church, and reminds us of the importance of responding to his love.
- The Eternal Nature of Christ's Love — The chapter teaches us that Christ's love for his church is an eternal love that will last for all eternity.
- The Importance of Praising Christ's Beauty — The chapter reminds us of the importance of praising Christ's beauty and seeking to deepen our relationship with him.
Questions for Meditation
- What does the bride's search for her beloved teach us about our own relationship with Christ?
- How does the groom's praise of the bride's beauty relate to Christ's love for his church?
- What does the bride's response to the groom's praise teach us about our own response to Christ's love?
- How does the groom's love for the bride relate to Christ's love for his church?
- What does the chapter teach us about the eternal nature of Christ's love for his church?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Bride's Search for Her Beloved (Song of Solomon 6:1-3)
| Song of Solomon 6:1 | The daughters of Jerusalem ask the bride where her beloved has gone, and she replies that he has gone to his garden to gather lilies. |
| Song of Solomon 6:2 | The bride says that her beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed his flock in the gardens, and to gather lilies. |
| Song of Solomon 6:3 | The bride says that she is her beloved's and her beloved is hers, and that he feeds among the lilies. |
2. The Groom's Praise of the Bride's Beauty (Song of Solomon 6:4-10)
| Song of Solomon 6:4 | The groom says that the bride is as beautiful as Tirzah, and as lovely as Jerusalem, and that she is as awesome as an army with banners. |
| Song of Solomon 6:5 | The groom says that the bride's eyes are like the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. |
| Song of Solomon 6:6 | The groom says that the bride's hair is like a flock of goats that have come up from Mount Gilead. |
| Song of Solomon 6:7 | The groom says that the bride's teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren among them. |
| Song of Solomon 6:8 | The groom says that there are sixty queens, and eighty concubines, and virgins without number. |
| Song of Solomon 6:9 | The groom says that the bride is my dove, my undefiled, my love, my companion, my sister, and that she is the only one of her mother, and the choice one of her that bare her. |
| Song of Solomon 6:10 | The groom says that the daughters saw her, and blessed her, and that the queens and the concubines praised her. |
3. The Bride's Response (Song of Solomon 6:11-13)
| Song of Solomon 6:11 | The bride says that she 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. |
| Song of Solomon 6:12 | The bride says that she was carried away with love for her beloved, and that she did not know it, and that her soul made her like the chariots of Amminadib. |
| Song of Solomon 6:13 | The bride says that the groom's beloved is like a mare among Pharaoh's chariots, and that she is returned, return, O Shulamite, return, return, that we may look upon thee. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Song of Solomon 6?
The main theme of Song of Solomon 6 is the love between the bride and groom, and the beauty and uniqueness of the bride. This theme is developed throughout the chapter, with the groom praising the bride's beauty and seeking her out, and the bride responding with love and devotion. (Song of Solomon 6:1-3, 4-10, 11-13)
How does the chapter relate to Christ and his church?
The chapter can be seen as a picture of Christ's love for his church, with the bride representing the church and the groom representing Christ. The verse 'I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine' (Song of Solomon 6:3) highlights the mutual love and devotion between Christ and his church, and reminds us of the importance of responding to his love. (John 1:1, Ephesians 5:25-33)
What does the chapter teach us about the beauty and uniqueness of the church?
The chapter highlights the beauty and uniqueness of the church, with the bride being described as a rose of Sharon and a lily of the valleys. This reminds us of Christ's love for his church, and the importance of seeking to deepen our relationship with him. (Song of Solomon 6:1-3, 4-10)
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Song of Solomon 6:1 → John 1:1 | The verse 'Where has your beloved gone, O fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned, that we may seek him with you?' (Song of Solomon 6:1) can be seen as a picture of the church's search for Christ, and the importance of seeking him out. (John 1:1) |
| 2 | Song of Solomon 6:3 → Ephesians 5:25-33 | The verse 'I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine' (Song of Solomon 6:3) highlights the mutual love and devotion between Christ and his church, and reminds us of the importance of responding to his love. (Ephesians 5:25-33) |
| 3 | Song of Solomon 6:4 → Psalm 45:11 | The verse 'You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my love, as lovely as Jerusalem, as awesome as an army with banners' (Song of Solomon 6:4) can be seen as a picture of the beauty and majesty of Christ, and the importance of praising his beauty. (Psalm 45:11) |
| 4 | Song of Solomon 6:5 → Psalm 23:2 | The verse 'Your eyes are like the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set' (Song of Solomon 6:5) can be seen as a picture of the beauty and purity of the church, and the importance of seeking to deepen our relationship with Christ. (Psalm 23:2) |
| 5 | Song of Solomon 6:6 → Matthew 25:1-13 | The verse 'Your hair is like a flock of goats that have come up from Mount Gilead' (Song of Solomon 6:6) can be seen as a picture of the church's preparation for Christ's return, and the importance of being ready to meet him. (Matthew 25:1-13) |
| 6 | Song of Solomon 6:7 → Ephesians 5:26-27 | The verse 'Your teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren among them' (Song of Solomon 6:7) can be seen as a picture of the church's purity and fruitfulness, and the importance of seeking to deepen our relationship with Christ. (Ephesians 5:26-27) |
| 7 | Song of Solomon 6:8 → Revelation 19:7-8 | The verse 'There are sixty queens, and eighty concubines, and virgins without number' (Song of Solomon 6:8) can be seen as a picture of the church's triumph and victory, and the importance of seeking to deepen our relationship with Christ. (Revelation 19:7-8) |
| 8 | Song of Solomon 6:9 → John 14:23 | The verse 'My dove, my undefiled, my love, my companion, my sister' (Song of Solomon 6:9) can be seen as a picture of the church's intimacy and relationship with Christ, and the importance of seeking to deepen our relationship with him. (John 14:23) |
| 9 | Song of Solomon 6:10 → Psalm 45:13-15 | The verse 'The daughters saw her, and blessed her, and the queens and the concubines praised her' (Song of Solomon 6:10) can be seen as a picture of the church's glory and praise, and the importance of seeking to deepen our relationship with Christ. (Psalm 45:13-15) |
| 10 | Song of Solomon 6:13 → Revelation 21:9-10 | The verse 'Return, return, O Shulamite, return, return, that we may look upon thee' (Song of Solomon 6:13) can be seen as a picture of the church's ultimate triumph and victory, and the importance of seeking to deepen our relationship with Christ. (Revelation 21:9-10) |
Sermons on Song of Solomon 6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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21 Vindication of the Persecuted Bride (Song 6:11-7:9) by Mike Bickle | Mike Bickle emphasizes the significance of living as the 'bride' in this age, encouraging believers to embody a bridal attitude and love towards God and others. He explains that ev |
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The Bride's Vindication and Partnership With the King by Mike Bickle | Mike Bickle explores the themes of the Bride's value and her partnership with the King in the Song of Solomon, emphasizing the importance of seeing the worth in others as God sees |
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20 Jesus Praises Her After Her Season of Testing (Song 6:4-10) by Mike Bickle | Mike Bickle emphasizes the transformative journey of the bride in the Song of Solomon, illustrating her prayers for both adversity and blessing as she seeks deeper intimacy with Je |
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The People Shall Be [A Freewill Offering] by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the concept of consecration as a voluntary offering of oneself to God, motivated by love and faith. He illustrates that true surrender is not a loss but a s |
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Loved, to Love by Miles J. Stanford | Miles J. Stanford preaches about the profound love and blessings God has bestowed upon believers through Jesus Christ, emphasizing the intimate relationship between knowing what Je |
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Love - the Basis of All God's Dealings With Man by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes that the foundation of our love for God is rooted in His unchanging love for us, as stated in 1 John 4:19. He explains that God's intention for humanity was t |
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God's Unchanging Love by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes that the foundation of Christian faith is rooted in God's unchanging love for humanity, as demonstrated throughout the history of Israel and illustrated throu |
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Melchizedec by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer explores the significance of Melchizedec as a type of Christ, emphasizing that Melchizedec's priesthood foreshadows the eternal and superior priesthood of Jesus. He high |
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Song of Solomon 6:10 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith explores the profound imagery in Song of Solomon 6:10, illustrating the church's role as a beacon of hope and light in a dark world. He emphasizes that just as the morn |
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Union With Christ by Watchman Nee | Watchman Nee emphasizes the profound union believers have with Christ, highlighting that while they possess heavenly beauty, they are also equipped to confront spiritual battles ag |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Song of Solomon 6
In this chapter, we see the love of Christ for his church, and the beauty and uniqueness of the church. The groom praises the bride's beauty, and seeks her out, and the bride responds with love and devotion. This chapter teaches us about the importance of seeking Christ, and the beauty and purity of the church. We are reminded of the importance of responding to Christ's love, and seeking to deepen our relationship with him. As Matthew Henry says, 'The love of Christ to his church is a love that surpasses all other loves, and is a love that will last for all eternity.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Bride's Uniqueness
The groom says that the bride is unique among women, and that she is a rose of Sharon and a lily of the valleys. This highlights her special status and beauty.
The Groom's Love and Praise
The groom praises the bride's beauty and seeks her out, showing his love and devotion to her. This is a picture of Christ's love for his church.
The Intimate Nature of the Relationship
The chapter describes the intimate and personal nature of the relationship between the bride and groom, with the groom feeding among the lilies and the bride saying 'I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine'.