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Study No. 2.
SONG OF SOLOMON
INTRODUCTION - PART TWO
UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK
The Song of Solomon and an alternate title, "The Song of Songs,"
are both derived from the first verse of the book. The heading
"Song of Songs" is a literal translation of the Hebrew Shir
hashirim. This language lays emphasis upon superlative quality -
the song is thus described as the best or most excellent song
(cf. Gen. 9:25; Ex. 26:33; Eccles. 1:2). In the Vulgate (Latin
Bible) the book is called Canticles.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the Song of Solomon is the first of
five short books called the Rolls (Megilloth). The other four
are Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther. Each of these
was read at one of the great annual Jewish festivals, the Song of
Songs being used at the Passover season.
The Song is an example of Hebrew lyric poetry; hence the modern-
language translations cast it in poetic form (cf. Berk., RSV,
Moffatt). This ancient Hebrew verse had no rhyme or meter as in
our Western form. There is in it a balance and rhythm of thought
rather than of sounds or syllables. The lines are arranged so
that the thought is expressed in different ways, by repetition,
by amplification, by contrast or response, as in 8:6:
Love is strong as death;
jealousy is cruel as the grave:
the coals thereof...coals of fire,
...a most vehement flame.
1. UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK - PART 1
The Song of Solomon has been called the Christian's Love
Song. Key text is Song of Solomon 6:3.
This is a song of love in marriage in Oriental language and
imagery. The persons are Solomon and the Shulamite maid and
the daughters of Jerusalem. The idea of the love of husband
and wife sets forth the love between Jehovah and His people.
This is seen in many passages in the Bible. Moreover,
Solomon as a lover was a type of Christ. See Ephesians 5.
Personal love to Christ is the greatest need of the church
today. The knowledge of sin forgiven and of Christ's
redeeming work has drawn us to Him.
A. Solomon composed 1005 songs (1 Kings 4:32), but this song
is the superior one. It is called the Song of Songs or
ultimate song and this is because of its special, but
hidden theme. Solomon was inspired by the Holy Spirit to
write truths which he did not understand himself - note 1
Peter 1:11-12, and Eph. 3:9.
B. He was also the author of Ecclesiastes and the comparison
and differences in these two books is significant.
Ecclesiastes was written toward the end of Solomon's life
after he had grown cold toward God through his many
marriages to heathen women (1 Kings 11:1,3). He refers
to the utter futility of attempting to gain satisfaction
through knowledge alone, and calls it "Vanity of
Vanities" compared to the "Song of Songs". These books
are of opposite extremities of human experience.
Ecclesiastes is a book about the Old Nature while the
Song of Solomon is about the New Creation.
Ecclesiastes talks about "all things under the sun" but
the Song speaks of all things in the Son.
Ecclesiastes is a book of wandering. The endless search
of the soul for significance in an apparently meaningless
existence. The Song of Songs is about rest - the true
rest of having found the heart's desire, and having no
further need to search for meaning.
True fulfillment comes not in acquiring knowledge for its
own sake, but in loving, being loved, and achieving the
highest approval of our lover.
C. Jewish tradition recorded in the Talmud says that there
are 10 songs in God's dealings with His people. The
first is the song of Adam when he heard God's promise of
redemption, and the last is the song of the saints on
seeing the glories of heaven. The greatest song however
is the Song of Solomon.
D. Those under 30 were forbidden to read it by the Rabbis as
it was considered to be only comprehensible to mature
people. Its teaching is for those who are maturing
spiritually. Frank language is used throughout this song
but it is never rude or crude. It must be read with an
appreciation of Eastern culture which is very explicit
without being obscene. True love is neither sensual or
prudish, but is a total openness and full surrender of
two people to each other. Though various parts of human
anatomy normally not mentioned in public are referred to,
it is only that their typological significance can be
seen, and not to give rise to indecency.
E. The book is most likely based on an actual incident. Dr.
H.A. Ironside maintains that she was of an Ephraimite
family whose father was dead and the children were raised
by the mother (1:6). They apparently worked in one of
Solomon's vineyards (8:11 and 1:6). There were probably
at least two sons and two daughters for the Shulamite had
a "little sister", (8:8; and "my mother's children" in
Hebrew is "my mother's sons") and it is possible from the
attitudes expressed that they were her half brothers and
the Shulamite was the Cinderella of the family.
While working in Solomon's vineyard one day she sees him
for the first time and from then on he, instead of his
work, gives her meaning for her existence.
F. Note. The book is unusual in many respects. It is not
"apparently" a religious book. There is no mention of
God, salvation, justification, faith, redemption,
holiness, prophecy, the first or second coming of Christ,
sin etc. However, these things and many other truths are
"hidden" in the book. It is an allegory of truth, and
its interpretation depends on the "Parabolic Principle"
which Jesus employed in telling His parables. Matt. 13:11
shows that He told the parables not as simple stories to
illustrate truth, but to conceal it so that only those
who would earnestly seek for it could find it.
2. UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK - PART 2
A. This book is called "The Song of Songs which is
Solomon's". This love song is initiated by the King to
woo us to Himself. He is the one who first loved us (1
John 4:19), and who takes the initiative in drawing us to
Himself. The issue is not really our search after Him,
but His search for true worshippers - John 4:24.
B. The book is called a song. It is in fact a love song.
There is a strong connection between worship and singing.
Both the personality and spirit of man is able to be
released to God in singing. It is a wonderful vehicle
for expressing the inner-most aspirations of the heart.
C. Throughout these studies whether it is stated or not,
references to "Solomon" and "the King" are typical of
Christ; and references to "the Shulamite", "the woman",
"the spouse", "the bride", etc, are typical of the Church
or individual believers.
D. a) While the Song of Solomon is the ultimate Song, it
relates to other ultimate expressions in God, ie. the
Holy of Holies, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, etc.
b) In this respect it is also a book of progressions.
The Holy of Holies has much typological teaching which
relates closely to the Song of Songs. In fact, they are
necessary to each other in order to be able to fully
interpret both.
As the Holy of Holies could only be reached by going
through the Outer Court and the Holy Place, the
expression of love in the Song of Songs shows progressive
development and maturity of love in order to reach its
ultimate.
E. The "hidden theme" of this book is a revelation of the
ultimate relationship between Christ and His Church.
It is His goal to transform His people from believers or
servants to His lovers - those who will worship not out
of duty, fear, need or ulterior motive, but out of
uninhibited and unselfish love.
Eph. 5:21-32 shows that Christ is seeking to make a bride
by transforming His people into His own image and
likeness. It is His desire to wean us away from other
interests to bring us to a face-to-face meeting with
Himself in the excluding confines of the Holy of Holies.
He also seeks the pure produce of that ultimate love
between Himself and His people, true holiness and worship
in spirit and in truth.
F. The typical teaching of the book does not start at
salvation. At the beginning of chapter one there is the
assumption that this has already occurred. The Shulamite
is a member of Israel and therefore is in the "Kingdom"
of Solomon. She is already at "work" in the vineyards
and so involved in service to the King. However, she
does not have a love relationship with the King. She
subsequently comes into a new "revelation" or
appreciation of the King and as a result of this begins
to discover how to love Him rather than to merely serve
Him. It was this "revelation" of God which changed Job's
situation, enabled him to pray for his friends and
brought an end to his bondage. He said, "I have heard of
you with the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you"
(Job 42:5).
The Queen of Sheba is a further example of the change
that occurs in us when a fuller "revelation" of Christ
comes to us. She had heard of the wisdom and acts of
Solomon and was intrigued with him, but when she saw him,
her heart melted and there was no strength left in her -
2 Chron. 9:1-6.
3. THE KEY TO THE BOOK .
"Responding to His love."
We see the King entreating the bride;
a) "Rise up my love... come away" (2:10).
b) "Come with me... my spouse" (4:8).
c) "Come my beloved, let us go" (7:11-12).
Through this series of studies we will come to learn how the
bride responds.
4. DIVISIONS OF THE BOOK .
A. Chap. 1:2 - 2:7 - Beginning of Love or Initial Love.
B. Chap. 2:8 - 3:5 - Losing the First Love or Faltering
Love.
C. Chap. 3:6 - 5:1 - Restoring True Love or Growing Love.
D. Chap. 5:2 - 7:13 - Transformed by love or Transforming
Love.
E. Chapter 8 - United in Love or Mature Love.
END of STUDY TWO