DAWN

     Explanation: Song of Solomon 8 begins with Abishag's invitation to Solomon to partake of her love, followed by a time together. Later Solomon comes from the wilderness, and he and Abishag exchange endearments, and they look forward to their next time together. Today's painting depicts the garden theme which is found in this chapter and throughout the book. And, instead of representing Abishag merely as a beautiful woman, I have chosen a painting of Saint Anne to represent her as a holy woman -- a godly wife. The love described in the book is wholesome; it is sensory, not sensual; and it is in accord with Scriptures such as Proverbs 5:19-23; and 1 Corinthians 7:1-5.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Song of Solomon 7. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Song of Solomon 8. Song of Solomon 8 - Dramatized. Song of Solomon - General Theme. ]

     Abishag wishes that Solomon had been like her brother so that people would not be scandalized when she kissed him in public (1). She would take him into her mother's house to receive her instruction. She would give him spiced wine made from pomegranate juice (2). The scene shifts suddenly, and they are together. First he is caressing her. Then she tells her maidens to let him sleep until he is pleased to awake (3-4).
     The scene shifts again, and the chorus of her attendants, the Daughters of Jerusalem, ask who is coming from the wilderness leaning on her beloved? This refers to Abishag leaning upon Solomon (5a).
     In the next phrase, the scene shifts yet again. The speaker is uncertain. The pronouns are feminine, so it seems that Abishag is speaking. The verse says, "I raised thee up [or awakened you] under the apple tree." It was there that the mother of the addressee birthed him or her. Commentaries can be checked for further discussion; but the point is that the verse continues the domestic references which were made in the previous verses: the scene is one of quiet domestic intimacy (5b). Abishag asks Solomon to set her as a seal upon his arm, because love is as strong as death, and jealousy is cruel as the grave. It is like coals of fire which has a vehement flame (6). Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give all the substance of his house for it, it would be utterly scorned (7).
     The chorus then breaks in and says that they have a little sister who has not yet become a woman; and they ask, rhetorically, what shall be done for her in the day that she becomes engaged (8). They say that they will work to develop her and beautify her (9).
     Abishag replies that she is developed and ready, and that she found favor in the eyes of Solomon (10). She compares herself to a vineyard at Baalhamon which Solomon leased to keepers who paid him a fee of a thousand pieces of silver for the use of the land (11). And she, likewise, is prepared to give Solomon a return (of love) from her "vineyard" -- referring to herself as a vineyard (12).
     Solomon asks to hear her voice (13).
     She asks him to make haste and to be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices (14).

The Fifth Quest (Continued) - Love Sought & Found in the Country (7:12 - 8:4)

Abishag

¹ O that thou wert as my brother,
that sucked the breasts of my mother!
when I should find thee without,
I would kiss thee;
yea, I should not be despised.
² I would lead thee,
and bring thee into my mother's house,
who would instruct me:
I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine
of the juice of my pomegranate.
³ His left hand should be under my head,
and his right hand should embrace me.
⁴ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
that ye stir not up,
nor awake [this] my love,
until [that] he please.

The Sixth Quest - Love Sought & Quest Continues in the City (8:5 - 8:14)

Chorus

⁵ Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness,
leaning upon her beloved?

Abishag

I raised thee up [awakened] under the apple tree:
there thy mother brought thee forth:
there she brought thee forth that bare thee.
⁶ Set me as a seal upon thine heart,
as a seal upon thine arm:
for love is strong as death;
jealousy is cruel as the grave:
the coals thereof are coals of fire,
which hath a most vehement flame.
⁷ Many waters cannot [are not able to do this] -- to quench love,
neither can the floods drown it:
if a man would give [this]
all the substance of his house for love,
it would utterly be contemned.

Chorus

⁸ We have a little sister,
and she hath no breasts:
what shall we do for our sister
in the day when she shall be spoken for?
⁹ If she be a wall,
we will build upon her a palace of silver:
and if she be a door,
we will inclose [around] her with boards of cedar.

Abishag

¹⁰ I am a wall,
and my breasts like towers:
then was I in his eyes as one that found favour.
¹¹ Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon;
he let out [this] the vineyard unto keepers;
every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.
¹² My vineyard, which is mine, is before me:
thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand,
and those that keep [this] the fruit thereof two hundred.

Solomon

¹³ Thou that dwellest in the gardens,
the companions hearken to thy voice:
cause me to hear it.

Abishag

¹⁴ Make haste, my beloved,
and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart
upon the mountains of spices.