Song of Solomon 1:1-17
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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS
The Song of Songs
BACKGROUND NOTES
DOCTRINAL POINT(S)
The author of the Song of Solomon is Solomon.
The theme of the Song of Solomon is love and marriage.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Use God’s great outdoors for romance!
QUESTIONS
The first verse of this book and the first doctrinal/teaching point tell us that Solomon was the author of this book. When in the life of the author was it written?
What was one logical reason why God may have chosen Solomon to write this book?
What are three views of interpretation of the Song of Solomon?
Which view is presented in these lessons?
What are the names (or descriptions) of the two people who share in the love relationship in this book?
ANSWERS
While Jewish tradition holds that Solomon wrote this book when he was a young king before he was involved with many wives, it appears from the record that when Solomon wrote the book he already had a harem (see 6:8). Also, the harem speaks as part of the narrative of the book (see 1:11). We may conclude then, that Solomon wrote this book when he was a young king, but not before he had a significant number of love affairs with many wives and concubines.
Solomon was not only the wisest man who ever lived, but was also a very experienced man regarding love and romance. He was able to write from this experience that true happiness in love and romance is only found in marital fidelity according to the divine pattern.
Three views of interpretation of the Song of Solomon are: a. The allegorical view – an allegory of God’s love for His people. b. The typical view – a true story, but also giving a spiritual picture of the love between Christ and His Church. c. The historical view – a true story showing God’s approval of love and romance within the bounds which He has set up for the good of mankind.
The historical view of interpretation is presented in these lessons. While this view does not hold that the story is an extended type, it certainly illustrates God’s love for His people and Christ’s love for His Church, something that all Christian marriages should do.
The two people sharing in a love relationship in this book are King Solomon and his fiancée called the Shulamite in chapter 6:13. Their meeting, his proposal and her acceptance may have taken place when the Shulamite was caring for her family vineyards and Solomon was visiting the royal vineyards in the north of Israel.
DISCUSS/CONSIDER
Identify and discuss those scriptures that describe or demonstrate God’s love for His people and Christ’s love for His Church. Consider the characteristics that particularly apply, or are applied, to the love that God desires to see in a Christian marriage. Discuss those areas that are commonly found to be the most difficult to practice or maintain in marriages today.
CHALLENGE
Is your love relationship with your fiancée or spouse characterized by the same values and virtues that are found in God’s love for His people and Christ’s love for the Church? Is your love one of loyalty, sacrifice, consistency, selflessness and humility? Let the Scriptures be your guide in forming and developing a godly love relationship that will be blessed and will persevere.
KEY VERSES
“I have compared you, my love, to my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots. Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with chains of gold. Behold you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes.” Song of Solomon 1:9, 10 and 15