Song of Solomon 1:1-17
Q.1. How are we to understand the Song of Solomon? How are we to apply this song? (Song. chapters 1:1-8:14)
We have just completed the book of Ecclesiastes, in which Solomon concluded after – 13 I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. 14 I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind (Ecc.1:13-14). How refreshing was Solomon’s and the Shulamite woman’s love, before he drifted from God. Since the wedding was not described until Song of Solomon 3:6-11, it seems best to understand that what came before that was a time of betrothal. To understand the story we need to understand what betrothal looked like in Biblical times. Betrothal, like modern-day engagements, allowed the deepening of a relationship prior to marriage. The betrothal period gave the bride time to prepare for her new role, to gather personal belongings, to adjust relationships with parents, siblings, and friends, and in some cases to become better acquainted with her fiancé. The groom used the engagement period for similar matters, including completing the house in which he would raise his family. The best-known example of betrothal is that of Jesus’ mother, Mary, and her fiancé, Joseph. When Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant, and before he understood the miraculous nature of the conception, he thought that Mary had violated her betrothal, which was as binding as a marriage contract. At first, Joseph believed that his only recourse was to divorce her or to send her away. Matthew recorded the account: 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly (Mt.1:18-19). Matthew said that Mary was – betrothed to Joseph … but he also called Joseph – her husband. The fact that a divorce was required to break the betrothal, shows that their premarital contract was legally binding. If, during the betrothal period, Mary had been sexually intimate with someone other than Joseph, she would have been guilty of adultery. Song of Solomon or Song of Songs was included as part of the Christian Bible, and also the Hebrew Scriptures. It was accepted as divine revelation. It was written as a poem, and as a Psalm to be sung. The obvious way for us to understand the book is that it is a celebration of marital love. Though the Bible condemns adultery amongst married couples and fornication amongst singles, God created male and female to enjoy sexual intimacy (1 Thes.4:1-8). He is not opposed to sex within marriage. He planned this to be a deterrent to sexual immorality (1 Cor.7:1-5). In God’s plan of marriage, people find pleasure, companionship, and a safe place to raise a family. In this song, Solomon likely described his encounter with his first love. Remember – He also spoke 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,0005 songs 1,005 (1 Kgs 4:32). This would have been before God warned Solomon not to depart from His commandments, in his second vision at Gibeon (1 Kgs.9:1-9). It has also been applied as a love song to the church, between the Groom and His Bride since marriage was intended to be a picture of Christ’s relationship with His church (Eph.5:25-32). Many of the great saints of the past have seen it as an encouragement to develop intimacy and oneness with God (Jn.15:11; 1 Jn.1:4).
Q.2. What indications do we have that the Shulamite woman was being courted by King Solomon? What was her role in her family? What did her friends think of her? – (Song.1:1-11)
Her friends described her as a Shulamite perhaps from the Hebrew – Maiden of Shulam (Shalom) or Jerusalem (Song.6:13 c.f. daughters of Jerusalem/Zion – Song.2:7; 3:5, 11; 8:4). Since the wedding procession of Solomon was portrayed later in Song.3:6-11, what preceded it would be their courtship. This explains why she was asking about his flocks (Song.1:7). She was captivated by Solomon, as she anticipated her future with him – 2 “May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine. 3 “Your oils have a pleasing fragrance; your name is like purified oil; Therefore the maidens love you. 4 “Draw me after you and let us run together! The king has brought me into his chambers.” (Song.1:2-4). But she was still self-focused, and conscious of her own shortcomings (Song.1:5). She tried to explain that her sunburnt features were because of her brothers’ treatment of her – Do not stare at me because I am swarthy, for the sun has burned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me caretaker of the vineyards, but I have not taken care of my own vineyard (Song.1:6). She extoled her handsome lover, and longed that there would be nothing between them – “Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, where do you pasture your flock, where do you make it lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who veils herself beside the flocks of your companions?” (Song.1:7). Her friends were caught up with her growing love and promised to support her in every way (Song.1:4b & 11).
Q.3. What did the Shulamite think about Solomon? Was the love of Solomon reciprocated? How highly does this book value the preciousness of human love? – (Song.1:8-17)
The Shulamite woman was infatuated with Solomon. She expressed that her affections were aroused toward him (Song.1:12-14). They were together at his table, and he likewise complimented her beauty – “How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful you are! Your eyes are like doves.” (Song.1:15 c.f. 1:8). She did not hold back her compliments toward Solomon – “How handsome you are, my beloved, and so pleasant! Indeed, our couch is luxuriant! (Song.1:16). We see the importance of expressing our feelings towards our spouse with words, as well as actions. The foundation for a strong church and society is based on sound marriages, underpinned by the preciousness of human love. In other words, a lack of thoughtful and complimentary communication will limit the blessing that God intended through marriage.