Song of Solomon: The title from the first verse of the book, which mentions who the song comes from: “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.” The original Hebrew version of the book took its title from the book’s first two words, shiyr hashiyrim, translated as “the song of songs.” The writer considered this poem, “the best of all the songs.”
The book was likely written by King Solomon. Despite some critics of the authorship, the internal evidence seems to support it, not only because of the appearances of Solomon’s name but because of evidence of his royal advantage (3:6–11) and his numerous wives and concubines (6:8). Thus, this text was written between 971-931 B.C., early in the reign of Solomon.
OVERVIEW:
The Song of Solomon is a lyric poem written to praise the virtues of love between a husband and his wife. The poem clearly presents marriage as God’s design. A man and woman are to live together within the context of marriage, loving each other spiritually, emotionally, and physically. This book combats two extremes: asceticism (the denial of all pleasure) and hedonism (the pursuit of only pleasure). The marriage described in Song of Solomon is a model of care, commitment, and delight. This text is vital as the character of a single poem and in its subject matter, particularly the open discussion of love between a married couple. The Song of Solomon’s willingness to present the topic of physical love within marriage is a testament to the beauty of the marriage relationship in its fullness. Song of Solomon stands out with its uniquely detailed vision of this beautiful reality of God’s design for a man and woman in marriage.
The poetry takes the form of a dialogue between a husband (the king) and his wife (the Shulamite). We can divide the book into three sections: the courtship (1:1 - 3:5); the wedding (3:6 - 5:1); and the maturing marriage (5:2 - 8:14). The song begins before the wedding, as the bride-to-be longs to be with her betrothed, and she looks forward to his intimate caresses. However, she advises letting love develop naturally, in its own time. On the wedding night, the husband again praises the beauty of his wife, and in highly symbolic language, the wife invites her spouse to partake of all she has to offer. They make love, and God blesses their union. As the marriage matures, the husband and wife go through a difficult time, symbolized in another dream. In this second dream, the Shulamite rebuffs her husband, and he leaves. Overcome with guilt, she searches the city for him; but this time, instead of helping her, the guards beat her—symbolic of her pained conscience. Things end happily as the lovers reunite and are reconciled. As the song ends, both the husband and wife are confident and secure in their love, they sing of the lasting nature of true love, and they long to be in each other’s presence.
SO WHAT?
This text highlights the view of marriage and intimacy rightly pursued within that relationship only. Our world is confused about marriage. The prevalence of divorce and modern attempts to redefine marriage stand in glaring contrast to Solomon’s Song. Marriage, says the biblical poet, is to be celebrated, enjoyed, and revered. From courtship to marriage to the assurance of love, Song of Solomon poetically presents a broad range of events and feelings in the days leading up to and during marriage. It offers encouragement toward an enduring love amid the petty suspicions and fears sure to threaten even the strongest of relationships. We should pay attention to Solomon’s beautiful words by continuing to value marriage as one of the bedrocks of society, appreciating the goodness and the beauty born out of the union of one man and one woman in holy matrimony. This text shows us that while marriage is difficult at times, the trials should draw us closer to one another as we reflect the good news of the gospel – new hearts and minds to the glory of God. While this topic of marriage and intimacy within that God-honoring relationship may be controversial to some in our nation, God’s design is always for the good of people, culture, and a flourishing society in peace and joy. May we submit with joy to our Creator and His design for this is good, true, and beautiful.
Next month, we will walk through the Book of Isaiah, one of the major prophets in the Old Testament. The book of Isaiah provides us with the most comprehensive prophetic picture of Jesus Christ in the entire Old Testament. It is a text that presents the LORD who comes to His creation and saves His people from themselves, their sin, and along with His coming judgment. May God bless you and keep you until then!
If you have questions, need prayer, or encouragement, please contact me. Reach out to me via email: Colin@nlcwanamingo.org or by phone: 507-824-3019.
