The Song of Solomon is one of the most intriguing allegories ever written. Just kidding, actually, the Song of Solomon happens to be one of the most intriguing love poems ever written. The title of this book is often debated; however, the writer is going to refer to it as The Song of Solomon in order to reaffirm his belief that Solomon is in fact the author of “The Song of Songs.” Solomon’s name is mentioned seven times throughout the book (1:1, 5; 3:7, 9,11; 8:11, 12), and the very first verse says, “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s” (NASB). If this is not enough evidence that Solomon is the author, then the writer would love to hear another perspective that makes more sense. The book itself is a poem, written by Solomon, to his Shulamite bride whom he loved dearly. The poem was most likely written during the early part of Solomon’s reign, and would place the dating of this book at around the year 965 B.C. However, in light of Solomon’s exemplary writing skills, musical giftedness, and wisdom (I Kg. 4:32); this poem could have been written at any time during Solomon’s time as the king. The Song of Solomon encourages and praises the virtues of love between a husband and wife. The book can be separated into three distinct sections that Dr. Thomas L. Constable explains thoroughly in work entitled, Notes on the Song of Solomon.
The first section is the courtship (1:2 – 3:5). This section of Solomon’s poem gives the reader a much better understanding of Solomon’s humanity. He may have been the wisest man on Earth, but Solomon still felt and operated the same way that any male who has just met the girl of his dreams would. It also shows the reader Solomon’s bride’s desire to be pursued (1:2-4), her passion for purity (2:7), and she even gives the reader a glimpse of her insecurity (1:5-8). This courtship section of Solomon’s poem presents a healthy model of a relationship in its beginning stage. The second chapter of The Song of Solomon is one of the greatest passages to study for a person who is committed to remaining pure. A very well known verse, spoken by the Shulamite bride, says, “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, that you do not arouse or awaken my love until she pleases” (NASB). This passage explicitly expresses her commitment to a chaste life before and during marriage. The bride also invites accountability to the “daughters of Jerusalem” which reaffirms her fervor for purity. Later, in the same chapter, Solomon said, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, while our vineyards are in blossom” (NASB). Conceivably, as she most likely did remove the foxes in the vineyard, Solomon wanted her to do the same, by way of analogy, in their relationship. In other words, Solomon was suggesting that they remove those things in their relationship that would spoil their emerging love before their marriage.
The second section that Dr. Constable explains in his work is called “The Wedding” (3:6 – 5:1). The second major section portrays the king (Solomon) actually coming for his bride and their return to Jerusalem (3:6-11). This section also includes the wedding (4:1-7), and the couple’s consummation of their marriage (4:8-5:1). The procession described at the beginning of the second section is very grand. Solomon is said to have come on a “traveling couch surrounded by “sixty mighty men.” It is suggested that the wedding takes place in verses 4:1-7. The reason these verses are believed to contain the wedding is because, until 3:11, there had been no hint of a wedding or marriage; so, the scenario of events maintains the idea that 1:2-3:5 refers to the premarital days of the relationship. The wedding and love life that followed is rehearsed in 4:1ff. There are several reasons that support this explanation: 1) Again, “wedding” is not mentioned before 3:11. 2) “Bride” does not show up before 4:8 and then is mentioned six times from 4:8-5:1. 3) Before 4:1, the beloved has a holy fixation with sexual purity/restraint (cf. 2:7; 3:5), but not afterwards within the bonds of holy matrimony.
The third and final definable section of the Song of Solomon is the transition from marriage into what Dr. Constable calls “The Maturing Process.” In this section, he explains how sometime after the wedding, a problem of apathy entered into the marriage. Solomon and his Shulamite wife experience their first argument (5:2-6:3), and learn to reconcile with each other (6:4-8:14). The cause of the argument was the Shulamite’s “failure to respond in an encouraging manor to Solomon’s demonstration of affection,” says Dr. Constable. Constable goes on to explain how her actions led Solomon to remove himself from her, and how she eventually noticed that a wall of separation had come between them; hindering their intimacy. When the bride realized her error, she told her friends to tell her husband, if they saw him, that she wanted him to come back to her because she missed his love for her. The first steps back towards the reconciliation between Solomon and his bride take place in the latter portion of chapter five (5:9-16). In these verses, the Shulamite bride speaks of her admiration for her husband, and by the beginning of chapter six, the daughters of Jerusalem are prepared to go looking for Solomon with her (6:1-3). Once found, Solomon’s first words to his wife were words of praise (6:4-13), and intimacy was restored once more in their relationship. After their first argument and reconciliation, Solomon and his beloved begin to learn how to communicate with each other on both a physical and emotional level by using compliments. An example: “The soft glance of her eyes reflects the peace and beauty of the Heshbon pools” (7:4). It is obvious that their love for each other matured over time. The unity and devotion they experienced as they continued together is a wonderful model of the covenant style marriage God designed for His children. During this time in his life, Solomon was a faithful and committed husband with one wife whom he loved and pursued daily. At least for a time, his focus was centered on God and his marriage was a reflection of his love for his Lord.
The Song of Solomon is truly one of the most intriguing love poems ever written. It depicts a relationship that is as passionate as it is cautious, and honors God throughout its entirety (as far as the reader knows). The way that Solomon pursues his bride, all joking aside, is in many ways allegorical for the way God wants His children to pursue Him. The covenant of marriage is very similar (if not identical) to the covenant that Christians have with God. The love, passion, pursuit, and submission that is involved in a marriage should also be the model for how a believer approaches his/her relationship with God. The Song of Solomon is the Biblical model of what a healthy relationship should look like, whether it is our relationship with a future/current spouse, or with God.
Works Cited
Constable, Dr. THomas L. Notes on Song of Solomon. Rep. 2010 ed. Web. .
Macarthur Study Bible. Nelson Bibles, 2007. Print.
