A. The Lovers' Mutual Love Declared (1:1-2:17)

The writer begins the love story abruptly without details of what is about to happen or who is involved. The bride as the beloved country girl and the groom as the shepherd lover are engaged in conversation in the opening verses of the book. The bride asks her spouse where he takes the flock at noon to protect them from the heat. She does not want to look for her lover in some strange pasture. Her lover tells her to follow the tracks of the sheep. A day and a night or two may pass as they exchange platitudes of praise for each other, especially as the bride describes a visit of the groom, apparently in the spring of the year (2:8-13).