Christ in the Song of Songs 1:15–2:7: Resting in the Shadow of the King

Like an apricot tree among the trees of the forest,
so is my love among the young men.
I delight to sit in his shade,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

(Song of Songs 2:3, HCSB)

Shulamite, Solomon’s bride in the Song of Songs, found rest and security in her Shepherd-King because he loved her and pursued her. He sustained her and invited her to come near and experience his embrace. This Shepherd-King is a wonderful picture of the One who says, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). In this Shepherd-King we find eternal rest and security. Here we are sustained by both “living water” (John 7:36–38) and “the Bread of Life (John 6:35). We are the lily that He has rescued from the thorns of the curse (Song 2:2; Gen 3:17–19). We are beautiful in his eyes and loved with His particular affection. We are now cleansed and made pure as His virgin bride, waiting expectantly and patiently for the consummation, “a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev 21:2).

This Bridegroom also is preparing a house for us to live in (John 14:1–3), one far more magnificent than the one Solomon built for Shulamite (1:17). Shulamite saw inklings of the God of Psalm 91:1–2, where the Psalmist writes, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” We have seen him clearly in Jesus Christ.

Like the most beautiful of women, we are the object of a Shepherd-King’s love. And his love can only be described as “great love” (Eph 2:4). And, does He put on public display a banner that declares His love? Indeed He does! It is called the cross of Golgotha where this King declares for the whole world to see, “I love you!”

This bride found the fruit of her King “sweet to my taste.” What a blessing it is to hear the King of Kings invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the one who takes refuge in Him” (Ps 34:8). His house is like no other house. His fruit is like no other fruit. His love is like no other love. Come to Jesus and eat! Come to Jesus and drink! You will find His words to be true: “No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again” (John 6:35).