Song of Solomon 1

“The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.”  Song of Solomon 1:1 (NKJV)

Today, we embark on a journey through the most misunderstood book in the Bible, second only, perhaps, to the Book of Revelation.  Having recently read the Psalms, it is important to note that the Hebrew title of this book is “Song of Songs.”  While there are some amazing psalms in Scripture, the sum of this book constitutes the best of the best.  Consider that title compared to lordship.  While there are many lords (authorities) who deserve our respect, God is the Lord of Lords. There are many kingdoms in the world, but only Jesus is the King of Kings.  Ecclesiastes recognizes the Vanity of Vanities.  Likewise, many places are considered holy in this world, but only the presence of God defines the Holy of Holies. In short, this is the greatest love song ever.  As such, it deserves our close attention.  

Song of Solomon is one of the Bible’s Poetic books (along with Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Lamentations) whose collective purpose is to use creative imagery, picturesque language, subtlety, and repetition to teach aspects of wisdom.  Song of Solomon communicates wisdom that, when heeded, ensures joy in marriage.

Contrary to the opinions of a myriad of well-intended authors and theologians, Song of Solomon is not allegory (a story like Pilgrim’s Progress) or typology (speaking of Messiah Jesus and the Church or God and the nation of Israel).  It is not a dramatic instructive reenactment of an ancient process of betrothal or a marriage ceremony.  The Song of Solomon is historical-literal.  It is simply a series of poems expressing the pinnacle of human affection, the pure love of an actual man and woman who are committed for life, as observed by King Solomon.  Solomon was a man who sought hard after true marital love, yet he never personally experienced it.

“But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites - from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.” 1 Kings 11:1-8 (NKJV)

If you want to understand God’s plan for Biblical marriage, don’t follow Solomon’s example; take heed to his observation of these two innocent young lovers.