Introduction to The Song of Solomon
We are beginning a new, seven week series entitled, “GodLoveSex,” that is a verse-by-verse study of the book of Song of Solomon. Some Bibles call it Song of Songs (the titles are not inspired). These titles come from the first verse of the book, which says, “The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.” I encourage you to read the book on your own. It is not easy to understand all the details, but it is a very important book, and we want to practically apply it to our relationships. John MacArthur says of the book, “The Song of Solomon expands on the ancient marriage instructions of Genesis 2:24, thus providing spiritual music for a lifetime of marital harmony. It is given by God to demonstrate His intention for the romance and loveliness of marriage, the most precious of human relations and ‘the grace of life’ (1 Peter 3:7). He also says, “In contrast to the two distorted extremes of ascetic abstinence and lustful perversion outside of marriage, Solomon’s ancient love song exalts the purity of marital affection and romance. It parallels and enhances other portions of Scripture which portray God’s plan for marriage, including the beauty and sanctity of sexual intimacy between husband and wife.” The book has two primary characters, Solomon (often referred to as “the beloved”) and the Shulamite woman. The daughters of Jerusalem also speak several times, God speaks once (5:1), and the Shulamite’s brothers speak once (8:8-9). Here is an introduction to the book to help us better understand it.
1. Authorship and Date: The book claims to be written by Solomon, the king of Israel, and we accept the text of Scripture at face value as the inspired Word of God. This would date the book in the 10th century B.C. Here is an important question regarding this book. It is the elephant in the room, so to speak. How could Solomon, who had 700 wives and 300 concubines, write such a book as this? I think the answer is twofold. First, every book of the Bible is ultimately written by the Holy Spirit working through imperfect human vessels. Solomon is a prime example that we can know what is right and fail to do what is right. Second, I think the trajectory of Solomon’s life is that he walked with God in his early years, turned away from the Lord (1 Kings 11:1-13), and came back to the Lord later in life (as recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes). I believe the Shulamite woman was Solomon’s first wife and pictures a godly relationship. He began to be involved with other women after that.
2. Interpretive Approaches: Song of Solomon is highly debated as far as its interpretation. Someone from our church posted the advertisement for the series on her Facebook page, and some friends started a lengthy debated about its interpretation. Historically, it has primarily been viewed as an allegory. Personally, I believe that the most natural, straightforward reading of the text is to take it literally as a love poem. The wording seems to clearly be describing a human relationship (at times a sexual relationship) and not a relationship between a person and God. Here is a lengthy quote from the Believer’s Study Bible notes that explains the options. “The literary form and original context of the Song have been understood in various ways. The Song has been seen as a drama, a collection of Syrian wedding songs, a collection of pagan fertility cult liturgies, or an anthology of unrelated love songs. Basically all approaches can be seen to utilize generally one of three methods: (1) The allegorical view understands the book as a poem describing the relationship between God and Israel or between Christ and the church. Each detail is interpreted in a symbolic manner. This approach often finds as many interpretations as interpreters, which shows its dubious value. Genuine allegory will usually yield basically the same interpretation to its varied interpreters. (2) The typological view differs from the allegorical by keeping a historical foundation and by finding analogy not in all subordinated details, but only in main outlines. The proponents of this view acknowledge the mutual love between Solomon and the Shulamite, but go beyond that to consider the divine analogy with its more elevated and spiritual meaning as being the more important. (3) The literal or lyrical view is one which takes the poem at face value, assigning the simplest and most natural interpretation to the text….However, there is also the option that the poem is a vital expression in frank but pure language of the divine theology of marriage as expressed in the love between husband and wife in the physical area, setting forth the ideal love relationship in monogamous marriage. Even the most intimate and personal human love is according to divine plan and as such is bestowed by God Himself (cf. Gen. 2:18-25, Matt. 19:4-6). The richest and best of human love is only a foretaste of the matchless, greater love of God. In this book , the scarlet thread of redemption is revealed, as man, through seeing and experiencing the purity and holiness of earthly love in marriage, gains a better and and clearer understanding of the eternal, heavenly love of Christ for His church.”
3. Theme: As stated above, this is a love poem “setting forth the ideal love relationship in monogamous marriage.” It is a book that can be a guideline for us in our dating and marital relationship. It also pictures the love of God for Israel and the love of Jesus for His bride, the Church. I think the key verses are 8:6-7, which say, “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised.”
4. Outline: Here is a basic outline of the book. Other people may view it differently, but this is how I see it.
1. Their Courtship (1:1-3:5)
2. The Wedding and Honeymoon (3:6-5:1)
3. The Maturing of the Marriage (5:2-8:7)
4. An Epilogue That Actually Describes How Their Love Began (8:8-14)
5. Resources Consulted: This is not a full list of the resources I have used in my study of the book, but it lists the primary ones. I am sharing this so you will know what I have used and to give you some guidance on resources if you want to do further study.
Love Song, sermon series by Craig Groeschel
Love Song, sermon series by Tommy Nelson
Believer’s Study Bible notes
Song of Solomon: A Picture of Marriage, Christ by David Roach (an article)
Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Song of Songs by Daniel Akin
The Song of Solomon in The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur
Song of Songs in Bible Knowledge Commentary by Jack Deere
The Revell Concise Bible Dictionary
Speak Your Mind