"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.
He brought me to the banqueting house,
and his banner over me was love."
She describes this man as standing out among all the other men, as an apple tree would in a forest. She finds shelter and protection in him and he provides sweetness and nourishment for her.
A relationship should be healthy and men have a huge responsibility to protect, build up and nourish a woman.
Even at the stage of dating, if a couple break up the girl should walk away having been built up, encouraged and protected. Rather than simply using someone we should be seeking their good and betterment.
One thing to keep in mind is the fearful truth that if we are not that protective shelter, providing sweet nourishment for our wives, chances are that someone else will step in and offer it. It may be found in other avenues, or she may begin to crumble; becoming insecure in life, in self worth and in her faith.
This lady also says that his banner over her is love. In this culture commanders and kings would arrive on battlefields with their banners proclaiming who and where they were. His love for her was plain to see, and as publicly declared as if he had flown a flag saying I love (fill in name). Their relationship was no secret, in fact it was as though he shouted it from the rooftops.
