What Does It Mean “Do Not Stir Up or Awaken Love” (Song of Solomon 2:7)?

Question: What did Solomon mean when he said, “Do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases”?

Song of Solomon 2:7 (ESV)

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.

Answer:
The author is sharing true wisdom about how genuine love develops. He advises everyone seeking love to understand these principles so they don’t enter into it hastily and later regret it.

This verse speaks to two levels of relationship:

Physical relationships (between a man and a woman)
Spiritual relationships (between Christ and His Church)

When Solomon says, “I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem…”, he is addressing the Church or anyone who desires to enter a committed relationship.

He continues: “by the gazelles or the does of the field…”
Here, he swears an oath using these animals. In the Old Testament, people often swore by God, but Solomon uses these gentle, timid creatures from the fields—a common sight in the Middle Eastern wilderness.

Characteristics of these animals:

Gentle and cautious
Easily startled and shy
Quick to flee
Hard to capture once they escape

In the same way, true love requires patience. If you rush it, it will slip away—just as you would never catch a startled gazelle by charging at it recklessly.

Hence the instruction:

“Do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.”

In other words, when you force love prematurely, you risk losing it. Approaching it gradually and respectfully allows it to flourish naturally.

In physical relationships, this teaches that genuine love is built over time—not by rushing or forcing it. Many young people push into relationships too early, sometimes marrying after only a few weeks. Later, as they discover the reality of their partner’s character, they regret acting too hastily. The problem is they did not allow love to develop in its proper season.

In spiritual relationships, the Lord teaches us about the love between Himself and His saints. True, lasting love for Christ grows as we spend time with Him, understand His character, and dwell in His presence through Scripture, prayer, and worship. Those who engage in these practices over time experience deep, abiding love for Him.

On the other hand, someone who loves Jesus only because He healed them, prospered their business, appeared in a vision, or due to social pressure, is like someone trying to catch a gazelle by chasing it recklessly—they will ultimately miss out. Such love is temporary; when circumstances change, the heart may drift and regret arises.

The lesson: do not allow your love for Christ—or anyone—to be built on sudden, superficial experiences. Build love gradually, in enduring relationships, and it will be strong and lasting.

Song of Solomon 2:7 (ESV)