Song 4:1-6 - Bearing the fruit of attractiveness

The moment everyone is waiting for has arrived. The scene is set. Solomon and everyone would obviously be ready for the joyous occasion. All except the bride of course. For the Shulamite maiden’s heart was certainly and firmly set on her beloved shepherd. So, Song 4:1-6 describe Solomon’s attempt to win the affection of the Shulamite with a whole salvo of verbal adulation. Where the conversation took place is not mentioned. However, we need to note that the custom of those days encourages the groom to sing the bride’s praise at the wedding.

In these verses, we see Solomon telling the Shulamite what he thought of her. He began by saying, “How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful you are! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil; your hair is like a flock of goats that have descended from Mount Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes which have come up from their washing, all of which bear twins, and not one among them has lost her young. Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate behind your veil. Your neck is like the tower of David, built with rows of stones on which are hung a thousand shields, all the round shields of the mighty men. Your two breasts are like two fawns, Twins of a gazelle which feed among the lilies.” There are seven qualities about the Shulamite that Solomon admired. Seven is the perfect number and it suggests that her beauty was totally attractive. Her features from head to toe were being admired and praised.  

First, her eyes that were likened to a pair of doves peering behind the veil covering her face. Simply put, she had lovely eyes. Second, her hair was described as long, silky and dark flowing down her shoulder, so free and sassy. Besides they are like “a flock of goats that have descended Mount Gilead.” These black colored goats from Mount Gilead, when exposed to the sunlight, would glisten and shine. Solomon meant to say that her hair was thick and rich. Third, her full set of teeth were in place, with none missing. They were also perfectly smooth, regular, and glistening white because they were well kept. The upper and lower sets were in total alignment. Fourth, her lips were seen as a thread of scarlet and her mouth lovely. Without the advantage of lipstick, her lips were already so red and bright. Her mouth could be referring to her kind speech in conversation. Fifth, her temple could well be referring to her cheek that was rosy as a slice of pomegranate. Sixth, her neck was stately and full of dignity. There were the sheer charm and poise about the way she held her head high. Finally, he referred to her shapely figure, saying, “Your two breasts are like two fawns that are twins of a gazelle, which feed among the lilies.”  Her figure was in total symmetry. The meadows covered with lilies is a poetic way of describing her beauty and elegance.  

In verse 6, we see the Shulamite’s response to the king’s advances and flattery. She would prefer to be alone to go to the green natural surrounding till the time the marriage would be consummated. Besides, her heart was still with her beloved and the greenery of the palace garden help her to keep her mind on him. She wanted to spend her time all alone reminiscing and thinking about her beloved whom she yearned for.

These verses talk about the attractiveness of the Shulamite. She oozes with charm and poise and is winsome and magnetizing. How would you like to be seen that way? The character of Christians should be attractive like the Shulamite maiden. Our presence should draw others to desire to know what makes the difference in our lives. After all, we are called to be salt and light of the world. As salt, we should cause others to thirst for what we have and as light, we must shine the light to show others the way. And we can cultivate attractiveness by being connected to our Lord constantly, consistently, and conscientiously. We need to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit. Like all sorts of fruit, the fruit of the Spirit cannot be manufactured. They are produced when a branch abides in the vine and draw rich nutrient from it. We are all branches of Jesus, the true vine. Unless we abide in Him, we will not be able to bear the fruit of attractiveness. Let us cultivate a life of attractiveness by abiding in Jesus, the true vine, constantly and consistently.