Song of Solomon 6
KingCommentsSong of Solomon 6:1
Counsel, Kindness and Life
Making “many plans” is allowed, but in doing so it is good to submit ourselves to “the counsel of the LORD”, or the purpose of God (Proverbs 19:21; James 4:13-15). Man must always remember that he is man and that God is Who He is. Man is extremely limited in what he can devise and even more so in what he can carry out. God, on the other hand, is infinite in understanding and ability. Not what man devises, but what God determines, that happens (Lamentations 3:37; Psalms 33:10-11; Isaiah 46:10). Similarly, Paul planned, but God directed otherwise (Romans 15:22-32).
Every person desires to have another treat him with “kindness” (Proverbs 19:22). Every person finds it pleasant to hear kind words, words that show lovingkindness, that is, words of kindness. They are edifying, encouraging words, in which there is no mendacity. They are not spoken to flatter.
In “a liar” kindness is lacking. He can pretend to be merciful by promising all kinds of things and giving the impression that he is full of kindness, but that is hypocrisy and deception. Behind his words are dishonest motives. It is better to deal with a poor person, from whom you cannot expect anything he could give, but from whom kindness radiates, than with such a liar.
Reverence for the LORD brings a life of contentment and security (Proverbs 19:23). He who fears the LORD suffers no want and fears no danger. God gives a quality of life that cannot be disturbed by evil. The God-fearing goes to bed without hunger and sleeps peacefully, without fear of anything evil that might come upon him.
The life attached to the fear of the LORD is not the life that man lives by nature, but the life in connection with Him. That life is enjoyed in its fullness only when the believer is with Him. But even here on earth already, this life cannot be affected by anything, because it is an inner, spiritual life. It is the life from God. That life knows no lack and no fear. The Lord Jesus therefore says that we need not fear “those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28).
The true life referred to here is not found in wealth or in health, nor in a good marriage or a fine family, but in Christ alone. This is what we must tell our children and hold up to them and live out before them. Of the evil that may afflict us, we know that God causes it to work together for good (Romans 8:28; Psalms 91:9-10).
Song of Solomon 6:2
Counsel, Kindness and Life
Making “many plans” is allowed, but in doing so it is good to submit ourselves to “the counsel of the LORD”, or the purpose of God (Proverbs 19:21; James 4:13-15). Man must always remember that he is man and that God is Who He is. Man is extremely limited in what he can devise and even more so in what he can carry out. God, on the other hand, is infinite in understanding and ability. Not what man devises, but what God determines, that happens (Lamentations 3:37; Psalms 33:10-11; Isaiah 46:10). Similarly, Paul planned, but God directed otherwise (Romans 15:22-32).
Every person desires to have another treat him with “kindness” (Proverbs 19:22). Every person finds it pleasant to hear kind words, words that show lovingkindness, that is, words of kindness. They are edifying, encouraging words, in which there is no mendacity. They are not spoken to flatter.
In “a liar” kindness is lacking. He can pretend to be merciful by promising all kinds of things and giving the impression that he is full of kindness, but that is hypocrisy and deception. Behind his words are dishonest motives. It is better to deal with a poor person, from whom you cannot expect anything he could give, but from whom kindness radiates, than with such a liar.
Reverence for the LORD brings a life of contentment and security (Proverbs 19:23). He who fears the LORD suffers no want and fears no danger. God gives a quality of life that cannot be disturbed by evil. The God-fearing goes to bed without hunger and sleeps peacefully, without fear of anything evil that might come upon him.
The life attached to the fear of the LORD is not the life that man lives by nature, but the life in connection with Him. That life is enjoyed in its fullness only when the believer is with Him. But even here on earth already, this life cannot be affected by anything, because it is an inner, spiritual life. It is the life from God. That life knows no lack and no fear. The Lord Jesus therefore says that we need not fear “those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28).
The true life referred to here is not found in wealth or in health, nor in a good marriage or a fine family, but in Christ alone. This is what we must tell our children and hold up to them and live out before them. Of the evil that may afflict us, we know that God causes it to work together for good (Romans 8:28; Psalms 91:9-10).
Song of Solomon 6:3
Counsel, Kindness and Life
Making “many plans” is allowed, but in doing so it is good to submit ourselves to “the counsel of the LORD”, or the purpose of God (Proverbs 19:21; James 4:13-15). Man must always remember that he is man and that God is Who He is. Man is extremely limited in what he can devise and even more so in what he can carry out. God, on the other hand, is infinite in understanding and ability. Not what man devises, but what God determines, that happens (Lamentations 3:37; Psalms 33:10-11; Isaiah 46:10). Similarly, Paul planned, but God directed otherwise (Romans 15:22-32).
Every person desires to have another treat him with “kindness” (Proverbs 19:22). Every person finds it pleasant to hear kind words, words that show lovingkindness, that is, words of kindness. They are edifying, encouraging words, in which there is no mendacity. They are not spoken to flatter.
In “a liar” kindness is lacking. He can pretend to be merciful by promising all kinds of things and giving the impression that he is full of kindness, but that is hypocrisy and deception. Behind his words are dishonest motives. It is better to deal with a poor person, from whom you cannot expect anything he could give, but from whom kindness radiates, than with such a liar.
Reverence for the LORD brings a life of contentment and security (Proverbs 19:23). He who fears the LORD suffers no want and fears no danger. God gives a quality of life that cannot be disturbed by evil. The God-fearing goes to bed without hunger and sleeps peacefully, without fear of anything evil that might come upon him.
The life attached to the fear of the LORD is not the life that man lives by nature, but the life in connection with Him. That life is enjoyed in its fullness only when the believer is with Him. But even here on earth already, this life cannot be affected by anything, because it is an inner, spiritual life. It is the life from God. That life knows no lack and no fear. The Lord Jesus therefore says that we need not fear “those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28).
The true life referred to here is not found in wealth or in health, nor in a good marriage or a fine family, but in Christ alone. This is what we must tell our children and hold up to them and live out before them. Of the evil that may afflict us, we know that God causes it to work together for good (Romans 8:28; Psalms 91:9-10).
Song of Solomon 6:4
Even Too Lazy to Eat
“A sluggard” is so lazy that he cannot bring his hand with which he has dipped the piece of bread in the dish of dipping sauce “back to his mouth”. The actions described have tired him so much that before he can even start chewing he has fallen asleep again. It is a laughable description of a sluggard. This depiction should serve to not wanting to be a sloth and to prevent the ridicule associated with it.
In the spiritual application, we see that there are those who do not bother to take even the most basic step to get out of their sinful misery. Salvation is offered to them in the gospel and is within reach, but they do not stretch out their hand to grasp the thrown rescue buoy.
Song of Solomon 6:5
Discipline Makes Others Shrewd
There are three types of people in this verse: “a scoffer”, the “naive” and “one who has understanding”. They show who they are by their response to discipline. The scoffer does not allow himself to be corrected by any discipline. Its purpose does not penetrate him because he shuts himself off from it.
The naive is someone without knowledge, a simpleton, an empty head. He is not yet as hardened as the scoffer. It may dawn on him that the discipline that comes upon the scoffer is a warning to him. If that penetrates, he will become shrewd and recognize what awaits him if he continues on the path of foolishness and becomes a scoffer (cf. Deuteronomy 19:20).
One who has understanding does not need strokes. He has sufficient spiritual maturity to be able to distinguish between right and wrong. If he does something that needs correction, he can be reproved with words. Those words may also be painful, but he will listen to them and “gain knowledge” about what he has done or said that was not right and must be corrected.
Song of Solomon 6:6
A Son Who Acts Shamefully
It seems in Proverbs 19:26 to be about a situation where the father and mother are dependent on the son and that this son abuses the situation to his own advantage. A sharp judgment is passed on this. It should deter children from misbehaving in this way toward their elderly parents.
This goes beyond mere disobedience to parents. Disobedience is bad enough in itself. It is a violation of the commandment to honor father and mother (Exodus 20:12). But here it is the abandonment of the natural love a child should have for his parents. He is going against the most basic laws of nature. The son described here not only fails to do what is commanded, but he treats his parents with contempt. God lets the Levites say of this: “Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother!” (Deuteronomy 27:16). This son not only disobeys his parents, but exploits them.
This is increasingly common in an increasingly cold social climate. It was, as evidenced by what Solomon says here, already happening then, and it is very current today. Children are verbally or physically abusing their parents in an increasing number of cases with the intention of enriching themselves rather than caring for them (cf. Matthew 15:4-7). A Dutch newspaper headline reported: ‘Exploitation of elderly by own children – underestimated form of elder abuse’ (Reformed Newspaper, 15-06-2015).
A son can steal from his father. He can make life so unbearable for his mother that she leaves home. He makes ashamed because he acts disgracefully. It is a special bitterness for parents when a son acts this way. This is how Israel behaved toward God (Isaiah 1:2-3).
There is a certain irony in the proverb of Pro 19:27. What the father says to his son is not an advice not to listen. The father only wants to make it clear that there is no point for his son to listen to his instruction if he is not willing to act accordingly anyway. Let his son stop listening to the instruction if he intends to stray “from the words of knowledge” anyway.
The discipline consists of words of knowledge, which are words with the knowledge of God’s will for his life. By listening to these and obeying them, the son will walk the right path. The way the father approaches his son here confronts the son with his responsibility. Does he want to take a different path than the one presented to him in the words of knowledge? Then let him stop listening to discipline. Hopefully, this approach will lead the son to listen carefully and not stray.
Song of Solomon 6:7
A Son Who Acts Shamefully
It seems in Proverbs 19:26 to be about a situation where the father and mother are dependent on the son and that this son abuses the situation to his own advantage. A sharp judgment is passed on this. It should deter children from misbehaving in this way toward their elderly parents.
This goes beyond mere disobedience to parents. Disobedience is bad enough in itself. It is a violation of the commandment to honor father and mother (Exodus 20:12). But here it is the abandonment of the natural love a child should have for his parents. He is going against the most basic laws of nature. The son described here not only fails to do what is commanded, but he treats his parents with contempt. God lets the Levites say of this: “Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother!” (Deuteronomy 27:16). This son not only disobeys his parents, but exploits them.
This is increasingly common in an increasingly cold social climate. It was, as evidenced by what Solomon says here, already happening then, and it is very current today. Children are verbally or physically abusing their parents in an increasing number of cases with the intention of enriching themselves rather than caring for them (cf. Matthew 15:4-7). A Dutch newspaper headline reported: ‘Exploitation of elderly by own children – underestimated form of elder abuse’ (Reformed Newspaper, 15-06-2015).
A son can steal from his father. He can make life so unbearable for his mother that she leaves home. He makes ashamed because he acts disgracefully. It is a special bitterness for parents when a son acts this way. This is how Israel behaved toward God (Isaiah 1:2-3).
There is a certain irony in the proverb of Pro 19:27. What the father says to his son is not an advice not to listen. The father only wants to make it clear that there is no point for his son to listen to his instruction if he is not willing to act accordingly anyway. Let his son stop listening to the instruction if he intends to stray “from the words of knowledge” anyway.
The discipline consists of words of knowledge, which are words with the knowledge of God’s will for his life. By listening to these and obeying them, the son will walk the right path. The way the father approaches his son here confronts the son with his responsibility. Does he want to take a different path than the one presented to him in the words of knowledge? Then let him stop listening to discipline. Hopefully, this approach will lead the son to listen carefully and not stray.
Song of Solomon 6:8
Scoffers and Iniquity
“A rascally witness” (Proverbs 19:28) is literally “a witness of Belial”. He is inspired by satan. He is one who deliberately distorts the facts. That he “makes a mockery of justice” means that he twists justice with the greatest of ease. Justice is meant to keep people from sin, but a rascally witness does not care about that. For him, a concept like “justice” is something to be ridiculed. He does not care about God as Judge, but defies Him by his outright contempt of justice.
While there is contempt for justice, iniquity is feasted upon; it is even spread or, as it can also be translated, swallowed. The wicked are like hungry wolves that shamelessly swallow iniquity as if it were the greatest delicacy. Iniquity is a true delight for the mouths of the wicked. They chew on lying words and then utter them. That is where they get all their life energy from.
What characterizes the wicked characterizes our fallen nature. Our fallen nature not only makes us susceptible to receiving lies, but makes us enjoy them.
God has prepared “judgments” for the persistent “scoffers” (Proverbs 19:29). They scoff at holy things. Their scoffing will be publicly judged in the punitive judgments that God brings on them according to His purpose, from which they will not be able to escape. The “blows for the back of fools” are also prepared and will inevitably strike them.
Song of Solomon 6:9
Scoffers and Iniquity
“A rascally witness” (Proverbs 19:28) is literally “a witness of Belial”. He is inspired by satan. He is one who deliberately distorts the facts. That he “makes a mockery of justice” means that he twists justice with the greatest of ease. Justice is meant to keep people from sin, but a rascally witness does not care about that. For him, a concept like “justice” is something to be ridiculed. He does not care about God as Judge, but defies Him by his outright contempt of justice.
While there is contempt for justice, iniquity is feasted upon; it is even spread or, as it can also be translated, swallowed. The wicked are like hungry wolves that shamelessly swallow iniquity as if it were the greatest delicacy. Iniquity is a true delight for the mouths of the wicked. They chew on lying words and then utter them. That is where they get all their life energy from.
What characterizes the wicked characterizes our fallen nature. Our fallen nature not only makes us susceptible to receiving lies, but makes us enjoy them.
God has prepared “judgments” for the persistent “scoffers” (Proverbs 19:29). They scoff at holy things. Their scoffing will be publicly judged in the punitive judgments that God brings on them according to His purpose, from which they will not be able to escape. The “blows for the back of fools” are also prepared and will inevitably strike them.
Song of Solomon 6:11
Be Careful With Wine and Strong Drink
“Wine” and “strong drink” are represented as acting persons, emphatically identifying these dangerous beverages with the person who abuses them. Their use is not forbidden by God’s Word, except in some cases (Deuteronomy 14:26; Leviticus 10:9). However, a strong warning does sound against excessive use, for it produces mockery (Isaiah 28:7; 14; 22) and causes unrest, which is often accompanied by violence. The consequences are disastrous. This can be seen in marriages and families and in traffic accidents, sometimes even resulting in death. Alcohol destroys more than you can imagine.
The excessive use of intoxicants excites the drinker to nonsensical talk and aggressive and combative behavior. It confuses the senses so that he has no self-control. A person who is drunk starts mocking what is sacred. He also crosses the boundaries of morality and decency. He staggers and swoons, brawls, utters debauched language and becomes buffoonish. He is intoxicated and no longer knows what he is doing (Genesis 9:21-22; Genesis 19:30-38). The counterpart of drunkenness with its associated debauchery is being filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
The warning against alcohol abuse is meant to make it clear that he who is drunk cannot keep his course straight, thus proving that he is not wise. The (Dutch) saying ‘when the wine is in the man, wisdom is in the can’ also pithily expresses this. Those who are wise and want to stay wise will only take a little wine in certain cases (1 Timothy 5:23).
Song of Solomon 6:12
Fear of the King Keeps From Dispute
“The terror of a king” is likened to “the growling of a lion”, which implies the threat of judgment (Proverbs 20:2). It is a warning not to sin against him. Whoever does so brings his anger upon him. To sin against him is to sin against his own life.
The king is presented here in his impressive majesty that demands awe. Whoever does not take this into account is playing with his life. This applies to our attitude toward the Lord Jesus. He is our Savior, but He is also our impressive Lord. At His coming to earth to judge, He will roar like a lion (Amos 1:2).
Proverbs 20:3 connects to Proverbs 20:2. Honorable and wise people will avoid conflict with other people. Certainly, they will avoid disagreement with the king and with God and not let it come to a confrontation (cf. Matthew 5:25-26). The contrast is between “keeping away from strife” and getting involved in “quarrel” as soon as an opportunity for quarrel arises. The first description is the way of the wise, the way of honor and dignity. The second is the way, the manner, of a fool. Not every fool is a sluggard or a drunkard, but many fools do love to interfere with and stir up quarrel.
Song of Solomon 6:13
Fear of the King Keeps From Dispute
“The terror of a king” is likened to “the growling of a lion”, which implies the threat of judgment (Proverbs 20:2). It is a warning not to sin against him. Whoever does so brings his anger upon him. To sin against him is to sin against his own life.
The king is presented here in his impressive majesty that demands awe. Whoever does not take this into account is playing with his life. This applies to our attitude toward the Lord Jesus. He is our Savior, but He is also our impressive Lord. At His coming to earth to judge, He will roar like a lion (Amos 1:2).
Proverbs 20:3 connects to Proverbs 20:2. Honorable and wise people will avoid conflict with other people. Certainly, they will avoid disagreement with the king and with God and not let it come to a confrontation (cf. Matthew 5:25-26). The contrast is between “keeping away from strife” and getting involved in “quarrel” as soon as an opportunity for quarrel arises. The first description is the way of the wise, the way of honor and dignity. The second is the way, the manner, of a fool. Not every fool is a sluggard or a drunkard, but many fools do love to interfere with and stir up quarrel.