His Banner Over Me Was Love
Reflecting on Song of Songs 2:3-7
With poetic imagery and evocative phrases in Song of Songs 2:2–7, the woman declares her desire for and enjoyment of her husband, and she exhorts those who are not married to abstain from sexual activity. They must exercise self-control and not awaken sexual love until the appropriate time—the time of the marriage covenant.
She
3 As an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
so is my beloved among the young men.
With great delight I sat in his shadow,
and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
4 He brought me to the banqueting house,
and his banner over me was love.
5 Sustain me with raisins;
refresh me with apples,
for I am sick with love.
6 His left hand is under my head,
and his right hand embraces me!
7 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles or the does of the field,
that you not stir up or awaken love
until it pleases.
