Song of Songs

At one period in his life, King Solomon decided to travel around his country dressed as a common man. For this, he chose the north of Israel. In those days there was no internet, and many residents of Galilee did not know what their king looked like, so Solomon was unrecognized and could freely communicate with ordinary people, learning the details of their lives.

In the region of the tribe of Issachar, in a small town called Shunem, lived a large family that had a large farm. They had many sheep, which the sons took turns herding. The young men had enough of their own concerns and therefore got used to sending their sister Shulamite as a shepherdess instead of themselves and made this her direct duty. The girl had nowhere to go, and by nature she was agreeable and compliant, so every morning Shulamite led her small flock to the endless fields, and in the evening she came home. Thus, in everyday concerns, the life of ordinary people flowed.

One day, Shulamite met a passerby in the field who, walking around the area, decided to get acquainted with her and learn about the life of the people in this area. The young girl did not know that she was communicating with the king and therefore behaved naturally and at ease. Solomon also decided not to reveal himself, but to behave simply, showing obvious friendliness. Shulamite's simplicity and openness enchanted the king's heart, and her natural cheerfulness and genuine friendliness in response to his attention produced a natural attraction.

Shulamite had a lot of free time, and therefore she gladly communicated with her new friend, revealing to him the beauty of a gentle and obliging spirit, not rushing anywhere and not blaming anyone.

Evening came, and it was time to part. We don't know what these people experienced during separation, but their next meeting was very joyful.

With each day their friendship grew stronger, and their communication was desired and sincere. Sometimes Shulamite forgot about her sheep, thinking only about the one who was all loveliness.

As a result, Solomon was so charmed by the inner beauty of his new acquaintance, the simplicity of communicating with her, her sincere friendliness and attraction to him, that he decided to make her a special surprise.

At some point they parted, and Shulamite did not know if she would meet her friend again. All his affairs were shrouded in mystery, and although he was a very interesting and wise interlocutor, for some reason he did not tell anything about himself and his life.

The separation plunged the young woman into despondency, and each time she went out into the field, she peered intently into the distance, wanting to see her beloved. But he disappeared without a trace. Her inquiries about him baffled the locals, and no one could tell her anything about this mysterious stranger.

Some time passed, and a rumor spread through the city that the king was coming to their area. All the inhabitants stirred, and the city came into motion. Everyone was interested in seeing the head of the country, and most of all it was amazing that he was heading to their small village, bypassing large cities.

Shulamite's brothers decided to leave their sister at home to guard the household while they would greet the king. But curiosity prevailed, and the young girl along with everyone went out to gaze at the approaching procession. Strangely enough, the king's escort was heading straight to her house. Shulamite's heart trembled with anticipation of seeing the one she had heard so much about but never planned to meet. In the experience of this amazing event, she completely forgot about her friend in the field, and all her attention was focused on the approaching procession. The brothers unsuccessfully tried to drive Shulamite away, but to their surprise, she decided to greet her king along with them. The city residents excitedly awaited the approach of the noble visitors, trying to recognize the king among the many dressed-up people and warriors. And here the whole procession comes right up to the house where Shulamite's family lived, and stops at the king's command. He was traveling in a litter made of Lebanese wood, carried by strong warriors.

All the city residents froze in anticipation of the development of events. Shulamite was frightened along with her brothers. No one could understand the purpose of such a coming of the king in all his splendor. But what was most surprising was that the king turned out to be that mysterious friend from the field, whom Shulamite had grown to love so much and had been waiting for all these days.

And here he came for her, as he had promised at their last parting. The girl's father and brothers stand in bewilderment, and the young lady herself does not know how to behave. After all, this is the king, but he is also her dear friend, to whom she has already become so strongly attached. Solomon respectfully addresses the parents of his beloved, asking for her hand. They, in fear and trembling, give their consent, thinking they are seeing a dream, and the king extends his hand to his beloved, and she is no longer able to resist, throws herself into his embrace, to always be near the one whom her soul loved.

Jesus came to me as a Friend, desiring close acquaintance with me. It is difficult for me to see Him as the King of Kings or to imagine the splendor of the Second Coming. But His modesty, friendliness, and love enchant my heart, and I acquire a Friend who comes to me every morning to get to know me better and spend time with me while I herd my sheep. It is so good and joyful with Him, and even when He leaves for His needs, I am aware of His presence and know that at the first appeal He will always respond and help me in my concerns.

Even when I am distracted from our communication to concentrate on solving everyday tasks, with my peripheral vision I am aware of His presence in my life.

And the Lord is so simple in His address to me that I cannot imagine His splendor as the Ruler of the Universe. I think it will be easier for me to see this than to imagine it.

But the Lord is preparing me for our meeting and very clearly lets me understand in what form and with what I should meet Him. His advice on acquiring what is necessary is so simple, clear, and understandable that one must be either very busy or very careless not to pay attention to it. Jesus is preparing me for a meeting with Himself, not making this event an unexpected surprise for me, but step by step describing everything that I need to undertake. And He waits, wanting to see how I will respond.

It is now, in a relaxed atmosphere, in conditions of my free choice, that our close relationships are being formed. The Lord behaves so modestly towards me that I sometimes don't even notice Him and don't pay attention to His advice. I cannot imagine the King of the Universe in this daily visitor. But it is to such a simple Person that I can naturally open up. I don't need His gifts so much as Him Himself. Even if He asked me what I would like to wish for myself, thinking about the answer, I would most of all want Him to be near, and I would look at Him and change under the influence of His words and instructions. All His Heavenly wisdom is hidden in the very simple words of our sincere communication with each other. But it is this sincerity of relationships that ties my heart to Jesus. I cannot imagine life without Him. All my affairs are good when He is near, and I am with Him, and He is in me.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Song of Sol. 1:4-7; 2:15; 4:1-7; 5:10-16; 7:1-8; 5:1-9; 6:1-3; 3:1-3; 7:11-14; 3:7-11; 3:4; 1:1-3,8-16; 2:4-10; 4:9-12; 8:6-7; Jer. 31:3; John 3:16; Rom. 5:5,8-10; Rev. 3:18-21; 1 Cor. 4:21; 1 Pet. 1:6-9 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. Do you have the One whom your soul loves? Who is your Beloved?

5. Where is your Jesus now? What is He busy with?

6. Do you know what the Lord has prepared for you?

7. Will the Second Coming of Christ be a celebration, a reward, and a meeting with the One whom you love without seeing for you?

8. Will the Lord come for those whom He loves and who reciprocate Him?

9. Is there any message in the letter to Laodicea that will prepare you for a meeting with the Lord?

10. Do you believe that the Lord has a heart and can fall in love with you as a friend who is open to close relationships?

11. Does the Song of Songs reveal to you the beauty and accessibility of God's love for you?

12. Why was the book Song of Songs written and placed in the canon of the Bible?

13. Is it possible to achieve a close relationship with the One whom you do not see, but in whom you believe and love with all your heart? If so, how is this possible?

14. Will the Lord reciprocate your love for Him? Or does He have more important things to do?

15. Do you often lose Jesus? How do you find Him afterwards?