Day 165: The Lover and the beloved

1 Kings 15:1-24 Abijah ruled Judah for a short time in the scandalous tradition of his father, but his son Asa was more in the tradition of David: a flawed king who nevertheless sought to be faithful to God’s law. Asa banished the prostitutes and idols and allied with Damascus to defeat the encroaching armies of Israel and destroy the cities that Baasha had begun to build on the outskirts of Jerusalem.


Ch 16:24-34 Omri is significant for having founded Samaria as his capital, but his sins outpaced those of his predecessors during his twelve-year reign. His son Ahab then surpassed him in corruption, marrying the evil Jezebel and taking Israel deeper into idolatry. He all but changed his allegiance from the God of Israel to the Canaanite god Baal.


Song of Solomon 4:1-16 This section of the poem expresses the lover’s affection for his beloved both in physical attributes and in the depth of feelings and desire he feels for her. This allegory illustrates the covenant between God and Israel, which is likened to a marriage. Israel, in a number of passages of the Old Testament, is described as a repentant, purified spouse who is offered to a divine lover. Moreover, Paul taught that marriage is a sacramental sign of Christ’s love for and union with his Church. (CCC 1616, 1644, 2352, 2362, 2368)


Ch 4:7 This verse is seen in Church tradition as suggestive of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary, the Mother of Christ. (CCC 499-501)


Ch 4:12 A garden locked, a fountain sealed: This is an allusion to the purity and virginity of the beloved. The sensory descriptions in this section and into the beginning of chapter 5 serve as an allegory for the consummation of the marriage through the conjugal union of the couple. In the covenant relationship as well as in the covenant of marriage, the consummation effectively seals the covenant of the mutual covenant of self-giving. (CCC 1640, 2348-2350)

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)


The Northern Kingdom of Israel (The Ten Tribes)

(*Walking With God: A Journey Through The Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins)



Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father, we give you praise and we love you. Please receive our love. Please receive our praise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

Dustin's Insights

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My Study Color Code

Suffering, Martyrdom Places The Church, Sacraments, Divinity Horticultural Imagery People Messianic Kingship Sin, Death, Decay