Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon

Finding the Context:

1.     What do you see in this book that tells about the Original Reader?

The original reader most likely is Solomon. Solomon is mentioned in the third person in 3:7; and in 8:11. It is believed by some that this song was possibly written for his wedding and would therefore have been written mainly for him and those at his wedding.

2.     What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Some people believe that Solomon wrote this book. But others believe that someone close to him could have written it mostly likely to be presented at his wedding.  The author knows various details about him like the number of his mighty men (3:7,8) and the fact that he has sixty queens and eighty concubines (6:8).

3.     What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one-sentence summary of the “main idea”?

Song of Solomon is a story of the love between two people who experience the beauty of love even in the midst of conflict.    

Love is the main theme of the book (shocking I know). You see throughout the book the beauties of intimate love and the difficulties that arise between two people who love each other. Song of Solomon reveals what true love really is. You see the bride stating in 2:16 stating, “My lover is mine and I am his” Then in 6:3 she reverses it and says that “I am my lover’s and my lover is mine.” Finally near the end of the book in 7:10 she says, “I am my lover’s and he claims me as his own.” She goes from her love being about what belongs to her, to love being about both receiving, to ultimately showing true love and giving herself away regardless of what she possesses or receives.

Faithfulness is a major theme in this book. The faithfulness of two people to each other is seen in the fact that they choose to continue to love each other despite difficulties or conflicts. The bride is out constantly searching for her lover and once she finally finds him, she does not let him go (3:1-4). You also see in chapter five that a riff comes between them. Yet, they do not allow it to destroy their relationship. In the end they are reconciled with each other.

4.     What is the primary reason this book was written?

       Song of Solomon was written to reveal the beauty that God created in marital love. The book is meant to reveal what love truly is. It shows the reader that love is truly beautiful despite the fact that various difficulties or problems may occur. Despite all that, there is still beauty to be found in love.

Theme Tracing:

1.     What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

     God is the ultimate author of love. This book is written from the perspective of a woman, which would have been rare during Solomon’s time. It is almost as if the author is making a case to Solomon correcting him and pointing out the women’s side of the story. In 8:11-12 it mentions that people normally pay Solomon great amounts of money for his vineyards but this women chooses to give it to him. The author draws and corrects Solomon just as God does with each of us. He is faithful to draw us in love and also point out areas that need corrected.

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

You could say that this book provides us with a glimpse of the love that God has for His bride, the church. In 8:6 it says that love is as strong as death and that is the level of love that Jesus went to for His bride. God is giving an example of what love looks like. He will ultimately bring a physical representation of that love through the Messiah-Jesus Christ.

Application Questions:

1.     Personal Application

Thinking about what true love is brings awareness to my heart of how little true love I actually possess. How often do I give without expecting anything back? How often do I choose to love other people who don’t love me in return? I know I’ve been guilty of loving with conditions and not leading out in love. I long to have the heart of Jesus to love even when I’m rejected, to love the most unlovable, to love when people treat me wrongfully, to love never expecting anything in return. I know in my own strength I will never be able to have this kind of love. Yet, there is hope to be able to love this way because Christ lives inside me and His grace is sufficient. I am so thankful that he is faithful to give me that love.

2.     Point of Passion

A true leader is someone who leads out in love. They don’t need to be loved first before they love back. They choose to give freely. Just as the bride states that she belongs to the bridegroom regardless of whether he belongs to her or not, so true love gives without any expectation of return (7:10).  Nothing is greater than love and if you want to be a leader, nothing is more crucial to possess than love. True love gives without expecting to get back. To lead out means to love the unlovable. It means to love even when you are not loved back. It means to consistently, faithfully love even when it’s tough. A leader is someone who loves whether they see the fruit of that love or not. They realize the importance of faithful, unearned love and when that love is manifested it will change the world. Just look at Jesus.