Song of Songs 1: 1 – 17
Love
1 The song of songs, which is Solomon’s. 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— For your love is better than wine. 3 Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, your name is ointment poured forth; therefore the virgins love you. 4 Draw me away! We will run after you . The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you. 5 I am dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. 6 Do not look upon me, because I am dark, because the sun has tanned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept. 7 Tell me, O you whom I love, where you feed your flock, where you make it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself by the flocks of your companions? 8 If you do not know, O fairest among women, follow in the footsteps of the flock, and feed your little goats beside the shepherds’ tents. 9 I have compared you, my love, to my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots. 10 Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with chains of gold. 11 We will make you ornaments of gold with studs of silver. 12 While the king is at his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance. 13 A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, that lies all night between my breasts. 14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blooms in the vineyards of En Gedi. 15 Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes. 16 Behold, you are handsome, my beloved! Yes, pleasant! Also our bed is green. 17 The beams of our houses are cedar, and our rafters of fir.
We now come across a book in the bible that I have not seen too many Pastors’ wanting to teach. Recently one well-known Pastor, who should be ashamed of himself, took this book and turned it into an erotic message that would have made secular hosts blush. Others have just steered clear of this wonderful book because they are uncomfortable teaching it. Our Wonderful Holy Spirit has given this book for our learning and understanding. If taken seriously and given the honor due to our Adoni Holy Ghost, it is beautiful beyond anything we have studied. I hope that you will not only enjoy the teaching of our Precious God but see Him in a more personal and intimidate relationship.
We know who wrote this book. It was Solomon.
1 The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.
We find in the book of 1 Kings chapter 4 that Solomon wrote over 1000 songs, “32 He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five.” The Song that our Mighty God included in His Holy book from all of Solomon’s is this one. It means ‘The loveliest of songs.’ I believe we will discover that it truly is the most amazing and loveliest one.
At first sight this song appears to be just a love song between two people in love. Some commentaries state that God is not even mentioned in this book. I will point out to you in the following chapters that He Is indeed, not only mentioned, but Is active in these lovers lives, as well as He Is involved in everything in the universe.
Allegorically this song pictures the nation of Israel as God’s betrothed bride as we read in the book of Hosea chapter 2, “19 “ I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in loving kindness and mercy; 20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the LORD.” In addition it symbolically describe Christ Jesus and His church as the book of Ephesians chapter 5 teaches us, 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”
Historically this book is a literal view of Solomon and a beautiful maiden. We find out who the woman is from the book of 1 Kings chapter 1, 1 Now King David was old, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm. 2 Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm.” 3 So they sought for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her….15 So Bathsheba went into the chamber to the king. (Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.)”
We read where king David had a hard time staying warm. He was always freezing and they didn’t have thermostats then to turn way up. The people, who loved and cared for David, huddled together, and came up with an idea. Solomon was a young man at this time standing in the wings and observing everything. He would later write down as wisdom in the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 4 this,” 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?”
The counsel came up with the idea of having a Miss Israel contest. The winner would be selected to be the woman who could lie next to David and with her body heat keep him warm. Please notice the important details that our Awesome Holy Spirit shares with us, “The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her.”
Solomon was the heir apparent to assume the throne upon the death of David. The words ‘did not know her’ meant that they did not have sex together. Solomon saw this beautiful woman every day. She was David’s nurse and upon his death, Solomon would have the opportunity to pursue her for his own. You can see how intense his feeling were for her because when his half-brother Adonijah asked Soloman’s mom, Bathsheba, for the right to have Abishag for himself, look at Solomon’s reaction, as taught in chapter 2 of the book of 1 kings, “13 Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, “Do you come peaceably?” And he said, “Peaceably.” 14 Moreover he said, “I have something to say to you.” And she said, “Say it.” 15 Then he said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had set their expectations on me, that I should reign. However, the kingdom has been turned over, and has become my brother’s; for it was his from the LORD. 16 Now I ask one petition of you; do not deny me.” And she said to him, “Say it.” 17 Then he said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.” 18 So Bathsheba said, “Very well, I will speak for you to the king.” 19 Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed down to her, and sat down on his throne and had a throne set for the king’s mother; so she sat at his right hand. 20 Then she said, “I desire one small petition of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” 21 So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as wife.” 22 And King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also—for he is my older brother—for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.” 23 Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, “May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life! 24 Now therefore, as the LORD lives, who has confirmed me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has established a house for me, as He promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today!” 25 So King Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he struck him down, and he died. “
You can see that as humans find their highest fulfillment in the love of a man and a woman, so also spiritual life finds its highest fulfillment in the Love of God for His people.
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— For your love is better than wine.
Ladies this is what a man wants to know – your earnest desire to be intimate with him. Now having the chance to be developed, Solomon and Abishag are thinking of being with each other romantically. In this verse we see the woman dreaming about being kissed by her love. She describes his kiss as being better than wine. That may sound strange but there is deeper meaning not only here but throughout this book. Wine is always symbolic of ‘joy’. Her thinking is that his caress and kiss is more desirable to her than any other condition. Knowing this fact gives us a whole new understanding of the parable of the wedding of Canan as described in the Gospel of John, chapter 2, “1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” 6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”
You cannot comprehend a wedding reception where there is no joy. Sadly, I have been at a few weddings where this situation is true. However, you add our Holy King and Master to the picture and we have joy abounding.
Ladies let me ask you this question, “Do you still earnestly desire your man’s caress and kisses?’ If not, then you have to take your own inventory and lists why this has changed.
3 Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, your name is ointment poured forth; therefore the virgins love you.
When you mention a person’s name you can quickly deduce the character of the person. Ladies you have something in your life that is very unique that men do not. The name, which you had as a daughter, changes. You take on the name of your husband. Ponder this question, ‘did you at anytime while engaged think of your new name?’ As Christians we are referred to as the ‘bride of Christ’. He says this about us in the book of Revelation chapter 2 verse 7, ““He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’
We read here in verse two that this young woman thought that her man’s character was more significant than the smell of his cologne. The bible instructs women to hang out with older women as the book of Titus chapter 4 teaches, “3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”
Look at Psalm 45 and see a convicting statement as regarding your thoughts about your man,”2 You are fairer than the sons of men Grace is poured upon Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever.” The word fairer does not mean that on a scale of 1 to 10 your man is a 4. It means that he in your estimate is more handsome than any man on the earth. You think greatly about him. You like everything he has to say and you are blessed to be the woman that he wanted as his partner to walk the paths of life together. How does your evaluation of this pan out?
The woman is now so moved and aroused about thinking of her man that she has a hard time waiting to be in his arms;
4 Draw me away!
She wants to be alone with him. Now a question for all of us, Do you desire or treasure alone time with our Holy and Wonderful Jehovah Elyon, the Lord Most High? Do you realize that you have opportunity 24/7 to spend personal individual moments with the God of the Universe? Wow! Talk about convicting!
We will run after you . The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you.
Some of your bibles describe these remarks coming from ‘the Daughters of Jerusalem’. Who are these people? Some suggest they are Abishags’ bridemaids. I do not think so because we will learn that she is from the country and feels out of place being in the city. If she had brought along some of her girlfriends then she would better be able to cope with being in a different location. She wouln’t be comparing herself to the women of the city.
I believe that these women were from the political marriage deals that Solomon accepted and performed. Look at chapter 6 of the book of the Song of Solomon, “8 There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number. 9 My dove, my perfect one, is the only one,”
I believe at this point she is very pure and innocent and does not know that these women are mocking her. She is talking to them about how much in love she is with Solomon and they are attempting to insult her. She is telling them how she is looking to get away with Solomon to be alone. They answer, ‘We will run after you.’ Or ‘Hey, that is so great we wish it was us being able to do that’. Abishag doesn’t get their insult so she adds about her thoughts on being with Solomon, ‘The king has brought me to the bed after our marriage.’ So, they say, yea right, ‘we will be glad and rejoice that this will happened for you.’ And then they add in caustic words the same thing that she was dreaming about, ‘Oh yeah, we will remember your love more than wine.” This is the same statement that she made earlier. Can you almost hear the venom in their words? Not getting it, Abishag speaks as though Solomon was in the room with them, and says out loud to him, ‘No wonder you are loved by all.”
5 I am dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. 6 Do not look upon me, because I am dark, because the sun has tanned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.
Being in a room full of these other women Abishag realizes how she stands out in stark contrast. The city women have not ventured out in the sun. On the other hand Abishag is very tanned. But remember, she did win the Miss Israel contest so she knows that she is beautiful. The statement, ‘like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon’ verify these two positions. The tents of Kedar are beautiful black material. If you were on a hill looking down on these tents lying upon a green field you would enjoy the striking color. In addition, since Solomon was beyond wealthy, everything he had for himself was as superior crafted and designed as money could buy. His curtains were of course the most beautiful in the land of Israel, if not in the whole world.
Please note that there is no mention of a father of the bride. It appears that Abishag was a stepdaughter. Her mother had sons from a different marriage as the term, ‘My mother’s sons’. They were rough on her and made her perform rigorous field labor duties. She looked around at all these women dressed lavishly and with the finest jewelry and makeup and felt out of place, ‘but my own vineyard I have not kept.’ She was so busy doing and helping others that she felt that she neglected herself. Ladies have you ever felt that serving your kids and husband and maybe other family members has taken so much of your time and effort that you have neglected yourself? If so, what are you going to do about it now? Life is a balance and in order to enjoy and do there must be some quality time for your own spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.
7 Tell me, O you whom I love, where you feed your flock, where you make it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself by the flocks of your companions? 8 If you do not know, O fairest among women, follow in the footsteps of the flock, and feed your little goats beside the shepherds’ tents.
Having thought about Solomon and desiring to be with him, in addition to the interaction with the daughters of Jerusalem, Abishag felt very lonely and needed some attention from her love. She asked him to an extent, ‘what do I have to do to get immediate attention from you, do I have to dress up like a prostitute and let all the workers go ga ga over me?’
Solomon has the right words in response. ‘If you do not know, O fairest among women.’ In other words, ‘If you want to be with me, Oh, the most beautiful woman among all women.’ Okay guys now for you to be cut through the heart. Do you think of your bride the same way? Is she the most beautiful woman in the world to you? Be careful before you answer!
Solomon did not send her to a counselor. He relieved her concern and anxiety by describing the place she had in his heart and by directing her on what she should do.
Some guys might comment, ‘Hey, give me a break, wasn’t he suppose to be the smartest person who ever lived?’ Yes, that is so, but that does not let you off the hook of being and doing in like manner. Right Ladies?
Now here in the next verse is something I think you ladies will find awesome being stated. Solomon refers to her as his prize horse. Say what?
9 I have compared you, my love, to my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots
You are going to love this remark, ladies. Wait till you hear the real meaning. In the book of 1 Kings chapter 10 we read this, “26 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem. 27 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar trees as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland. 28 Also Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and Keveh; the king’s merchants bought them in Keveh at the current price. 29 Now a chariot that was imported from Egypt cost six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse one hundred and fifty; and thus, through their agents, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria. “
I know you are still saying, “I still don’t see your point.” Well here it is, Solomon purchased expensive horses from all over the world. In today’s currency it would equate to about 30 to 50 thousand dollars per horse. Solomon had thousands of these horses. So, what he was saying was that added together she was more valuable to him then all the other horses costs combined.
And even more beautiful he called her his prize ‘filly’. You see males pulled all chariots for war. What do you think happens if you put a female horse in a stable filled with all male horses? Well, they all go nuts when she is in their presence. What Solomon is saying is that she is such a knock out that all men go crazy just sensing her presence. How does that make you feel ladies?
10 Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with chains of gold.
Solomon adds that she is so naturally beautiful that she is gorgeous without makeup. She has a natural glow. Her neck is tanned as gold. Solomon then volunteers his craftsmen to make jewelry for her.
11 We will make you ornaments of gold with studs of silver.
That encouragement has done the trick. She is at peace being with Solomon in the field. She notices that he is aroused at her scent and she then fantasizes on being close to him.
12 While the king is at his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance. 13 A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, that lies all night between my breasts.
If your were from the country, then you would know that ‘henna’ is a natural makeup. Abishag having been reassured by Solomon of her importance to him and greatly praised she returns the complements and says that he beautifies her by this statement.
My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blooms in the vineyards of En Gedi.
The area of En Gedi is an oasis. She is telling him that he is refreshing to her. Are you refreshing to you lady, guys?
Solomon is moved by her and declares how beautiful she is by repeating the statement twice.
15 Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes.
Now he is not saying that she has birds’ eyes. What he is beautifully describing is that of her character. It was important to the lady in the beginning of this chapter and Solomon is wise enough to know that he thought well of her character also. You see guys if one of your characteristics is important to your beautiful lady than write this down. Your evaluation regarding the same category of her characteristics is important to her.
Doves’ eyes do not move around in the bird’s socket it only looks straight at where it faces. Solomon saw that she had only eyes for him and that meant a lot to him. How does this mean to your guys?
16 Behold, you are handsome, my beloved! Yes, pleasant! Also our bed is green. 17 The beams of our houses are cedar, and our rafters of fir.
Now sitting on a nice green hillside looking around her surroundings Abishag again complements her love and points out to him the beauty of the landscape. The trees of the woods together with every sensory items just adds to the beauty of being in love. Let’s get that back in our lives, shall we? This is not just a one-time experience for us to be allowed to enjoy.
