Song Of Solomon

Notes from Marilyn Hickey Ministries are throughout. Location = Jerusalem, Israel, early in Solomon’s life “God created the Shulamite woman for the shepherd-lover just as He decreed Christ for His Bride, the Church.”

In the Song of Solomon, direct references to the word “family” do not exist. The second chapter of Song of Songs by Dr. Hess will be referenced. The Song of Songs is an anthology of love poems that make it clear that romance and physical intimacy are part of God’s will for the marriage relationship” (Hess, 2005, p. 99).

Chapter one is about the young Shulamite bride, and Jerusalem’s daughters; Solomon, the lover, speaks.

One interpretation is the book has an “outer meaning of a profane love poem, and the inner meaning of a poem about the Messiah. Both the figures of the male and female became images of the divine” (Hess, 2005, p. 23).

The Song is not a drama or a sequential narrative. It is not an allegory. It is not an anthology of diverse erotic poetry…nor is it a description of a married relationship…nor (is it to) educate them as a sex manual. Instead, the Song is a fantasy that explores the commitment of an erotic love affair (Hess, 2005, pp. 34-35).

Many have interpreted the Song of Songs in different ways. Hess states it is about a relationship between those in love. He wrote, “it may have insight for marriage” (Hess, 2005, p. 101). The writer agrees it does, and it is useful teaching about love. The writer may give a variation of this section as a resource to couples who are getting married or those who are already.

Act 1 (Chapters 1 and 2) – She longs for her lover.

The Young Shulamite Bride and Jerusalem’s Daughters

1:1 The [a]Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.

[b]The Bride

2 “May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is [c]sweeter than wine.

3 Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, Your name is like [d]purified oil; Therefore the [e]young women love you.

4 Draw me after you and let’s run together! The king has brought me into his chambers.”

The Chorus

“We will rejoice in you and be joyful; We will praise your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you.”

The Bride

5 “I am black and beautiful, You daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon.

6 Do not stare at me because I am [f]dark, For the sun has tanned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me;

They made me caretaker of the vineyards, But I have not taken care of my own vineyard.

7 Tell me, you whom my soul loves, Where do you pasture your flock, here do you have it lie down at noon?

For why should I be like one who [g]veils herself Beside the flocks of your companions?”

Solomon, the Lover, Speaks

8 “If you yourself do not know, Most beautiful among women, Go out on the trail of the flock, And pasture your young goats By the tents of the shepherds.

9 “[h]To me, my darling, you are like My mare among the chariots of Pharaoh.

10 Your cheeks are delightful with jewelry, Your neck with strings of beads.”

The Chorus

11 “We will make for you jewelry of gold With beads of silver.”

The Bride

12 “While the king was at his table, My [i]perfume gave forth its fragrance.

13 My beloved is to me a pouch of myrrh (gum resin) Which lies all night between my breasts. CHRIST HAD THIS OFFERING AT HIS BIRTH.

14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms In the vineyards of Engedi.”

The Groom

15 “[j]How beautiful you are, my darling, [k]How beautiful you are! Your eyes are like doves.”

The Bride

16 “[l]How handsome you are, my beloved, And so delightful! Indeed, our bed is luxuriant!

17 The beams of our house are cedars, Our rafters, junipers.

Footnotes

Song of Solomon 1:1 Or Best of the Songs

Song of Solomon 1:2 The speaker identifications are not from the Hebrew text nor the Septuagint, but reflect an ancient tradition which appears in some manuscripts.

Song of Solomon 1:2 Lit more pleasant

Song of Solomon 1:3 Lit oil poured from one vessel to another

Song of Solomon 1:3 Or virgins

Song of Solomon 1:6 Or swarthy, blackish

Song of Solomon 1:7 Some ancient versions wanders

Song of Solomon 1:9 Lit I have compared you to

Song of Solomon 1:12 Lit nard

Song of Solomon 1:15 Lit Behold

Song of Solomon 1:15 Lit Behold

Song of Solomon 1:16 Lit Behold

Several words in Matthew 24:32 (Christ’s parable of the fig tree) reference Song of Songs 2:13, about the bride’s admiration. The words are:

Parable-parabolen - a story used to teach a spiritual or moral lesson