I have compared you, my love, To my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots. (Song of Songs 1:9 NKJV)

This always reminds me of the scene in the movie A Knights Tale. William Thatcher is trying to woo the maiden Jocelyn and well sticks his hoof in his mouth.

She asks him to speak beautiful words to her, and this is what ensues:

William: I will win this tournament for you.

Jocelyn: Excuse me?

William: I’ll win this tournament in your name. I’ll defeat each knight for you. Your beauty will be reflected in the power of my arm and my horse’s flanks.

Jocelyn: Wow. Really? Really? lts flanks?

Not his finest hour.

But the real issue here is that we don’t understand life in a completely agrarian society. Livestock and crops were the currency and wealth of the day. So much of what we will read in these pages relates to life in that society.

So what is our Shepherd King thinking when He compares the Shulamite to a filly among Pharaoh’s chariots?

There are a couple interesting things going on in this comment.

First off, this is actually the only time this Hebrew word is found in the Bible. Its root comes up more often, but this word specifically pointing to a filly or mare, some even think it should be a group of fillies.

Next, He speaks of Pharaoh’s chariots, not the chariots of Israel. He does not say “the Kings Chariots,” but rather points to the world’s most famous fleet of chariots. That of His most impressive adversary.

Here is the thing.

She is feeling like a newcomer, one who is barely capable of caring for her own presentation. She looks in the mirror and sees dark and worldly. She looks around her in the community, and everyone is doing better than she is. She is totally frustrated at her inability to look like everyone else in the Church.

Then He likens her to one of the most prestigious, well-trained, talented, and impressive beasts known to man.

He is saying to her, when I look at you, I do not see the dark and dusty woman of the world, stumbling at every turn. I see you as a one who is ready to lead an army into battle, one trained and well disciplined. I see what you are created to be, not where you are in your journey.

This helps me. I know when I fail or fall short, He sees me not lying on the ground in a heap. He sees me victorious, then He helps me up, brushes me off, and sets me back on my path toward maturity.

Yay God. Thank you, Jesus.

This makes me happy.

Thanks for coming by.

Stop in next week and get a look at what else He sees in you.

Ben