v1-5: The Beloved delights in the Shulamite's appearance; no wonder the Shulamite later says, "his desire is for me."

v6-9: The Beloved delights in physical love, a vital part of the love between a man and a woman. We should not be ashamed of this aspect of love, for it is what God intended. We are spirit, soul, and body, and, in marriage, we enjoy all three aspects of intimacy.

There is the beauty of fragrance and fruitfulness; the wind has blown (4.16) producing this beauty; likened to palm trees, vines, apples, the best wine. Some see the palm tree as a picture of the church; the greater weight that is laid upon the branches, the more it grows and prospers.

v10: Note the maturing relationship;

• 2.16, "I am my beloved's, and he is mine," we possess Christ;
• 6.3, "I am my beloved's and His desire is towards me," we are possessed by Christ;
• 7.10, "I am my beloved's and his desire is towards me," His desire is towards me, Deut 32.10; Ps 40.17.

v11-13: Another sign of maturity; we are to enjoy His presence, and His service. The bride took the initiative to serve, "let us go." Previously (2.8; 4.10) the Beloved had to take the initiative. This service is an expression of love, and a motivation to continue in love. Mandrakes were used as an aphrodisiac, Gen 30.14-16; the Hebrew word means love-plant.

There is thoroughness in serving, both in the fields and in the villages; see Matt 9.35-36; 13.38; 28.19-20; Mark 6.6; Acts 8.25; 20.31, where a similar pattern is seen in the life of Christ and in the early church.

The blessing is both old and new, Matt 13.52. There is fruit for the Beloved, "that I have stored up for you." For us, a spiritual fruitful church brings joy to the Saviour.