The Chariots Of Ammi-Nadib

MAY 14, 2024

 “Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Ammi-nadib.” (Song of Solomon 6:12)

We use many metaphorical expressions in everyday speech of which origins we may not know. It has been conjectured that our text may be thus understood. The speaker says that his soul became “like the chariots of Ammi-nadib.” Perhaps, at the time, Ammi-nadib was a famous charioteer, who was known for some particular trait or skill, like Jehu, who was reputed for his furious driving. It could be that this was a familiar expression in the day, and afterward became a proverbial metaphor. This conjecture seems harmless, yet it is only conjecture and cannot be verified.

It is quite possible that our translators may have retained as a proper name the conjunction of two words, which taken separately are capable of being interpreted. We know that Ammi, as it occurs in the prophet Hosea signifies “ye are my people,” even as Lo-Ammi means “ye are not my people.” The second word Nadib, means willing, so that the two words joined may be rendered “My willing people” thus “the chariots of my willing people.” Or, the words may be read, and considering the context, more properly,“The chariots of the princely people.” Some have understood them to mean “The chariots of God.” Scripture declares that “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels.” Clearly, the writer’s soul was exalted to the very heavens, even to the place of the heavenly hosts that surround the throne of God.

To whom does this text refer? Since we are sure that this Song of Songs is a dialogue between Christ and His bride, it is left for us only to determine which of the two sacred personages is speaking. Was Solomon speaking to the Shulamite, or was the Shulamite speaking to Solomon? Was it the Prince or the princess?

There is much to be said for it being Christ Himself that is speaking. Clearly from the fourth through the tenth verses it is Christ speaking of His church. He describes her as “beautiful as Tirzah,…terrible as an army with banners.” He was overcome by the eyes of His love and so on. It seems most natural to assume that it is the Prince who continues to speak in verses eleven and twelve. It seems most natural that He should come “down into the garden of nuts to see the fruit of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourishes…” (Vs. 11) It was then that His spirit was elevated to this high degree that He should say,“Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Ammi-nadib.”

If it is Christ speaking, it means just this, that He had been for a while away from His people. They had grieved Him, and He hid His face from them. Out of very love and faithfulness, He felt bound to chasten them by hiding from them the brightness of His countenance. But He began to think tenderly of His people, His heart turned toward His Church; and He saw such beauties in her that His soul was melted with her charms. “Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me… thou hast ravished my heart.”

Then coming into His garden, and seeing some budding, and others bursting forth He was overcome with delight. He saw some fully ripened on the bough and ready for heaven; while others were just commencing the Divine life. Whatever the reason for hiding His face, His great heart was moved as He came into His garden, and His spirit was exalted: “Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Ammi-nadib.”

How it fills our souls with joy to know that our Lord’s delights are with the sons of men, and that He“taketh pleasure in His people.” (Psa.149:4) Even when He must for a small moment hide His face from us, He cannot conceal His love. His great heart is moved at the sight of His chosen bride, whom He adores.

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