| Song of Solomon 1:1 4:16 |
| Song of Solomon 5:1-8:14 |
Song of Solomon 1:1-4:16
The Song of Solomon is another very unique book in the Bible. At face value it’s a beautiful love story between King Solomon and his beloved Shulamite. There are different characters in this “drama” and you can follow along as this couple goes through the different stages in their relationship:
1. Falling in Love – courtship (1:1-3:5)
2. United in Love – marriage (3:6-5:1)
3. Struggling in Love – problems (5:2-7:10)
4. Growing in Love – progress/permanence (7:11-8:14)
Not only is this seen as a simple love story between Solomon and his beloved Shulamite, some also see it as a love story between God the Father and Israel – or – God the Son (Jesus) and the church (the Bride). It’s beautiful to consider the deep and intimate love relationship we have with the Lord.
Many years ago I taught through this book filled with much symbolism, so if you wanted to study it more in-depth, feel free to check out the links below
[Song of Solomon 1:1-3:5] (https://subspla.sh/m8ycysg)
[Song of Solomon 3:5-5:1] (https://subspla.sh/4y98q62)
Often times couples neglect that romantic part of their relationship – and we shouldn’t. There should be kisses, there should be expressions of love, there should be cologne and perfume (we should want to smell good for each other). There should be compliments. It may not sound romantic that Solomon compared his girl to a “filly among Pharaoh’s chariots,” but it was. He was telling her how exciting it was to be with her!
When Solomon tells her that she has dove’s eyes (Song of Solomon 1:15) – it’s a way of saying they only have eyes for each other! That’s the way it should be between couples.
When Solomon compared his girl to all other girls, there was no comparison. She was like a lily among thorns (Song of Solomon 2:2). Do you husbands out there see your wife like that? We should. Tell her!
Here’s a phrase we’re read repeatedly:
Song of Solomon 2:7b (NKJV) “Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases.”
Song of Solomon 2:7 (NLT) “Promise me, O women of Jerusalem…not to awaken love until the time is right.”
The right person at the right time. Don’t hurry “love,” because it might not be true love. I like to tell my children to wait on the Lord, and wait for that one who truly loves you. Be careful single people…let the Lord lead you. If you don’t, you might stir up or wake up a monster.
When the Lord brings the right person into your path – we can answer that invitation – we rise up and come away to a new life, a new adventure. This couple is now engaged, they’re beginning to realize the importance and even permanence of marriage. They’re beginning to realize that when they get married they will belong to each other.
Song of Solomon 2:16a (NKJV) “My beloved is mine, and I am his.”
This truth is also taught in 1 Corinthians 7:4.
Song of Solomon chapter 3 begins with a dream (or nightmare) in which the Shulamite couldn’t find her beloved. When she found him she wouldn’t let go (Song of Solomon 3:4). And that’s what the Scriptures tell us to do when we get married, we leave all other “relationships” and cleave to our spouse (we never let go).
Song of Solomon chapter 4 is filled with compliments that Solomon had for his wife. Nowadays these words might not sound all that flattering, but back in those days, this was big-time romantic. Solomon saw only good in his wife:
Song of Solomon 4:7 (NKJV) “You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you.”
They do say, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” It’s easy to do when you’re a new couple, but maybe you’ve been married for a while and you need to open your eyes a little wider (maybe a lot wider). What was it that brought you two together in the first place? What attracted you to each other? What qualities do you appreciate in your spouse? Tell them what they are, or maybe even write it in a note, a letter, or a card.
I’ll close this section with a beautiful expression of the way his wife had captured his heart, and even an expression of their bond of faith. My wife is not only my lover, she’s my sister, in Christ…and I’m eternally grateful for that!
Song of Solomon 4:9–10 (NKJV) “You have ravished my heart, My sister, my spouse; you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace. How fair is your love, my sister, my spouse! How much better than wine is your love, and the scent of your perfumes than all spices!”
I’ll never need wine again…the Lord’s gift of salvation, my wife, and family are wonderful and sufficient sources of joy that exceeds anything wine or worldliness can ever offer!
Song of Solomon 5:1–8:14
The Song of Solomon is a very detailed (but symbolic) expression of love and sexual intimacy. I would encourage husbands and wives to study it in-depth and discover for themselves the meaning behind the many metaphors. It’s important for us to keep in mind that sexual intimacy within the confines of marriage is a wonderful gift from God to be thoroughly enjoyed and kept holy and pure (Hebrews 13:4).
Solomon sees his wife as his sister, his love (Song of Solomon 5:2) he wants to be with her (if you know what I mean), but she’s having one of those nights…she’s tired, she hesitates, and then it’s too late, she ends up regretting her decision. He’s now distant, she’s missing him, there are problems. Her friends ask her, “What’s so special about your man?” And the Shulamite takes the time to list all the outstanding qualities of her husband. She appreciates his head, his hair, his eyes, his cheeks, his lips, his hands, his body, his legs, his face, his mouth:
Song of Solomon 5:16 (NKJV) “…Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!
Solomon takes some time to reciprocate the compliments. Her hair, her teeth, her temples, her curves are as the sculpture of a skillful artist! Her navel, her waist, her breasts, her neck, her eyes, her nose, her head, her hair (again). Every man and woman needs to know they’re loved and appreciated by his or her spouse. Our wives especially need to know their husbands love them and WANT them, and they can tell…if it’s real or not.
Song of Solomon 7:10 (NKJV) “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.”
The end of the book seems to describe a second honeymoon, or getaway, or maybe even the couple returning to where it all started. It’s good to do all the above. Husbands and wives get away, just the two of you. Never let the fiery romance die (Song of Solomon 8:6).
I can honestly say that after salvation, my wife has been the “gift” of my life, the biggest blessing of all…I’m rich because of her, and it is through her that I received my children. I thank God for Shelly and the love we’ve had together.
Song of Solomon 8:7 (NKJV) “Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised.”
So true…if its real love all the trials, toils, and troubles of life will only deepen our love. What good would it be if a man had all the riches in the world, but didn’t have this love of his life?
If you’re married I pray you’d fall in love more and more – grow in love.
If you’re single, I pray you’d wait on the Lord (Song of Solomon 8:4) and always let Jesus be the first love of your life – He is the only one who can give you peace (Song of Solomon 8:10).