Condemnation of Fornication and Adultery.
The adulterous wife grabs the young man, kisses him, and tells him: v. 14. I have peace-offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows, that is, she had, on the day which was just coming to a close or had closed with sundown, brought a thank-offering to the Lord, the rule being that the flesh must be eaten at a sacrificial meal on the second day, at the latest, Lev. 7, 16. It was this meal which she wanted the young man to share with her, in the privacy of her own chambers.
V. 15. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, the flattery consisting in her singling out this victim, as though he alone had been in her thoughts, whereas practically any other man would have answered her purpose just as well, and I have found thee.
V. 16. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with beautiful and costly upholstering and pillows, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt, that is, with variegated coverlets of Egyptian linen. V. 17. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon, sprinkling it with sweet-smelling spices.
V. 18. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us solace ourselves with loves, the intoxicating quality of illicit love being brought out very strongly.
V. 19. For the goodman, of whom the wife speaks in a cold and distant manner, is not at home, he is gone a long journey, the implication being that he is far enough away and they need fear no discovery; v. 20. he hath taken a bag of money with him, this showing that his business was important and took some time, and will come home at the day appointed, he had named the day of the next full moon as the day of his return.
In this way the wanton woman met all possible objections of her victim in advance.