Song of Solomon 2:1-17

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Continuing Courtship

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Love-Talk is an important part of a love relationship.

  2. Catching foxes is an important part of a love relationship.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let God speak through your marriage!

  2. Remember, God uses your negative past experiences!

QUESTIONS

  1. In the interpretation of the Song of Solomon, there are two major views regarding the people in the account who are in a love relationship. What are these two views, and who are the characters in the romantic relationships?

  2. List and describe the three reasons why the first interpretive view is presented here.

  3. What is the lesson Solomon teaches us about a love relationship in verses 5-6?

  4. In verse 15, what does the phrase, “The little foxes that spoil the vines,” mean?

  5. Identify the verses in the New Testament that teach us that the love relationship between a man and his bride should reflect the love relationship between Christ and His bride, the Church.

ANSWERS

  1. The traditional interpretive view regarding the characters in this book considers that there are two main characters in a loving relationship, namely Solomon and the Shulamite. The other major view, commonly called the triangular view, considers that there are three main characters, the Shulamite and her shepherd boyfriend in a true love relationship, and Solomon who is trying to win the love of the Shulamite.

  2. The three reasons why the traditional view is presented here are: a. It has been held by the Jewish people and scholars and by most to the present day. b. The triangular view was put forward first by destructive critics in the late 18th c. AD. c. The triangular view shows Solomon as a bad character, whereas in the rest of Scripture Solomon is a type of Christ in His glory.

  3. In verses 5-6 of this chapter Solomon teaches that it is not wrong to be lovesick in a good sense, and it is not wrong to think about physical love with that special person God has given you.

  4. The reference to “the foxes” or “little foxes” in verse 15 is to the many things that can creep into a love relationship and spoil it. A neglect of daily Bible reading or prayer, the presence of cutting or hurtful words, petty jealousies and misunderstandings are all examples of “little foxes” that can tear down the love relationship.

  5. Ephesians 5:22-32 clearly teach us that the love relationship between a man and his bride should reflect the love relationship between Christ and His bride, the Church.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. It is often said that we speak the most hurtful words to the one we love the most. Discuss the validity of this statement and the reasons that it may often be true. Consider the reasons that often make it difficult to speak words of kindness, love, encouragement and inspiration within a marriage relationship. Identify and review biblical passages that confirm your conclusions.

CHALLENGE

  1. Have your words of affection and kindness outnumbered your words of harshness and criticism to your spouse this week? Have you recognized how destructive hurtful words can be to your marriage relationship and to the Christian witness of your marriage? Make that determined effort, with God’s help, to eliminate words that demean and breakdown the love relationship with your spouse as God intended it to be. Allow God to be pleased with your relationship and let Him speak through your marriage!

KEY VERSES

  • “Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.” Song of Solomon 2:15



Song of Solomon, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsSong of Solomon 2:1-17