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Introduction… vs. 1
- 1st – Author… vs. 1
- Early years…
- The song of songs which is Solomons!
- Solomon [שְׁלֹמֹה] is accepted to be the AUTHOR of the book [mentioned by name SIX times]
- Solomon – who reigned over Israel for FORTY years – from 970-930 B.C.
- He was the THIRD King of Israel after Saul and David [his father]
- In his early years – he prayed and was given GREAT wisdom from God…
- And he became the WISEST man who has ever lived!
- I Kings 3:12 – “I have given you a wise and understanding heart – so that there has not been anyone like you before you – nor shall any like you arise after you.”
- Later years…
- Sadly Solomon did NOT obey the command of the Lord – Deuteronomy 17:17
- And he added MANY wives [1000] – who turned his heart from God – I King 11:4
- Therefor after his death – because of his SIN – the kingdom of Israel was divided!
- I Kings 11:31-33 – “Behold I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon… because [he has] forsaken Me.”
- Early years…
- 2nd – The Song of Songs…
- Three Books…
- This is the FRIST of THREE books of the Bible written by King Solomon…
- Solomon wrote the Song of Songs when he was YOUNG…
- He wrote the book of Proverbs when we was MIDDLE aged…
- And he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes when he was OLD!
- Love song…
- Solomon wrote over a THOUSAND songs – I Kings 4:32
- This SONG [שִׁיר] of the SONGS [הַשִּׁירִים] – is the ONLY one that was recorded for us…
- And it is a SONG that is all about LOVE…
- BELOVED [דּוֹד] – is used 31 times in the SONG…
- LOVE [אָהַב] is used 28 times – BEAUTIFUL [יָפֶה] is used 15 times!
- When I was dating Jen – I wrote a song and recorded it for her [music video]!
- Controversy…
- There are some who question if this LOVE song should be included in the Bible…
- It was not a good idea to read it as a CASUAL book – because it is very SENSUAL…
- The Jews recommended a person be THIRTY years old before reading the book…
- God [אֱלֹהִים] is never mention in the whole book…
- Also there are NO quotes from the book found in the New Testament!
- Three Books…
- 3rd – Interpretation…
- Literal…
- There are THREE main ways people try to INTERPRET the book…
- FIRST – the LITERAL interpretation takes things at face value…
- Making the Song of Songs a LOVE story between a man and a woman!
- Allegorical…
- SECOND – others look at the book from an ALLEGORICAL [ἀλληγορέω] perspective…
- This was NOT a real event – there was NO historical basis for the book…
- It is ONLY mean to be a picture of the relationship between God and the church…
- Most churches do teach the Song of Songs as ALLEGORY!
- The danger of ALLEGORY is that it leaves the strict interpretation of the text…
- People can take the words and make them say anything they want!
- Typological…
- THIRD – the TYPOLOGICAL interpretation admits the HISTORICAL basis for the book…
- It is written about how Solomon fell in LOVE with the SHULAMITE woman…
- But APPLIES the story to the relationship between Christ and the church!
- This is the way that we will be approaching the BOOK…
- The LOVE story of Solomon and the Shulamite was a HISTORICAL event…
- But it also points us to the deeper picture of the Love of God!
- Ephesians 5:32 – “This is a great mystery – but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
- Literal…
- 4th – Outline…
- Dating…
- The book is broken up into THREE sections…
- FIRST the Dating – Song of Songs 1:1 – 3:5
- As we see Solomon and the Shulamite woman BEFORE their marriage…
- Where we will see insecurities [doubts] – much like we have in our own relationships…
- We will also see passion – but purity before marriage!
- Wedding…
- SECOND the Wedding – Song of Songs 3:6 – 5:1
- God blesses intimacy [sex] within marriage…
- Intimacy [sex] is only perverted when it is taken outside of marriage!
- Hebrews 13:4 – “Marriage is honorable among all and the bed undefiled.”
- Marriage…
- THIRD the Marriage – Song of Songs 5:2 – 8:14
- Marriage without instruction often does NOT end well…
- But God does give us instruction – and it is NOT just SUBMIT and LOVE – Ephesians 5:22-33
- This book gives us an EXAMPLE of what a GOOD relationship looks like!
- Although Solomon might NOT be the FIRST person we think of for MARRIAGE [1000 wives]
- Solomon was the TOOL God used to put His LOVE story on paper…
- It is meant to show us the relationship between Jesus and His bride!
- Dating…
- 1st – Dreaming of marriage… vs. 2-4
- 1st – Desiring… vs. 2-3
- The speaker… vs. 1
- The Shulamite!
- Each chapter in the book is divided up among THREE groups of people…
- SHULAMITE [שׁוּלַמִּית] – whose name means PEACE [שָׁלַם]
- BELOVED – the name given to Solomon [שְׁלֹמֹה] by the Shulamite – also means PEACE [שָׁלוֹם]
- DAUGHTERS of Jerusalem – the friends of the Shulamite woman [everyone else]
- The DIVISION have been added by the translators [gender – number in the text]
- There are going to be a few times when the person speaking is UNCERTAIN!
- Kisses… vs. 1
- Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for your love is better than wine!
- The book opens up with the DESIRE of the Shulamite…
- She wants Solomon to KISS her with his mouth – a LOT [imperfect]
- Because his kisses were GOOD [טֽוֹב] – more intoxicating than WINE…
- But note that though she WANTS a KISS – she is willing to WAIT!
- Anyone who has ever been in LOVE knows about the WARM fuzzies…
- The powerful emotion that comes over us – it overwhelms our senses [drunk on love]
- Physical attraction is NATURAL – it is a part of how God created us…
- Showing restraint is NOT natural – is a spiritual GIFT that comes from God…
- But we want to WAIT for those KISSES – do NOT give into temptation…
- Because it does NOT stop with KISSES – it always leads to other things!
- Good character… vs. 2-3
- Because of the fragrance of your good ointments your name is ointment poured forth.
- Therefore the virgins love you!
- The SHULAMITE was NOT just interested in the PHYSICAL…
- The NAME [שֵׁם] of Solomon was also GOOD [טֽוֹב] – like a fragrant cologne…
- That is why all the young women were [perfect] in LOVE [אָהַב] with him!
- There is nothing wrong with being PHYSICALLY attracted…
- If you do NOT think someone is attractive – probably NOT the person to marry…
- But we NEED to move beyond PHYSICAL – and look at their CHARACTER [name]
- The PHYSICAL does NOT last – we will all get OLD…
- But the CHARACTER of a person will last for a LIFETIME!
- The speaker… vs. 1
- 2nd – Eloping… vs. 4
- Done waiting…
- Draw me away!
- As the desire to be married become TOO much for the Shulamite…
- She demanded [imperative] Solomon come and take her with him now!
- It is NOT a good idea to have a long ENGAGEMENT…
- Not that we are saying to meet and get married in a WEEK…
- But people who wait for YEARS – put themselves at great RISK…
- There is TOO much temptation – and it is TOO easy to stumble!
- Example…
- The Daughters of Jerusalem: We will run after you!
- The response of the other young GIRLS – we WANT [cohortative] to RUN with you…
- They wanted to follow the EXAMPLE of the Shulamite!
- When Jen and I were engaged – she was working at an orphanage…
- We had many discussions about her leaving BEFORE we got married…
- But in the end we decided to STAY – because we wanted the KIDS to see the WEDDING!
- The bedroom…
- The Shulamite: the king has brought me into his chambers!
- This could be saying that Solomon had [perfect] let the Shulamite into his heart…
- Or that she was looking forward to the WEDDING night…
- When he would bring [hiphil] her into her bedroom!
- Rejoicing…
- The Daughters of Jerusalem: We will be glad and rejoice in you.
- We will remember your love more than wine.
- The young women seeing the LOVE that the Shulamite had for Solomon…
- Were really [cohortative] HAPPY for her – and would always REMEMBER her love story…
- They were NOT jealous – they were CELEBRATING with her!
- We live in a day and time when people are NOT getting married [living together]
- And if they eventually do walk down the aisle – the moment has no SPARK!
- When a couple WAITS for their wedding day…
- Their LOVE story is celebrated – people come together and REJOICE…
- Because they are CHOOSING to follow the PLAN of God!
- Matthew 19:5 – “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one.”
- Done waiting…
- 1st – Desiring… vs. 2-3
- 2nd – Doubting… vs. 4-11
- 1st – Not worthy… vs. 4-6
- Dark skin… vs. 4-5
- The Shulamite: Rightly do they love you.
- I am dark – but lovely O daughters of Jerusalem.
- Like the tents of Kedar. Like the curtains of Solomon!
- The Shulamite had DOUBTS – not about Solomon being the RIGHT man…
- She doubted is she was the RIGHT woman for him…
- She thought he would be better if one of the other women [perfect] LOVED [אָהַב] him…
- Because she had DARK [black] skin – though she was pretty [נָאוֶה]
- Like [כִּ] the BLACK goat skinned tents of KEDAR [Bedouins] – or curtains of Solomon!
- In most cultures – and throughout most history – light skin was more attractive…
- It meant you did NOT have to work under the sun to make a living!
- Beauty is NOT defined by culture – God made us perfect…
- We do NOT get to tell the artist that He made a mistake…
- God is NOT concerned about the outside – He looks at the HEART!
- Proverbs 31:30 – “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing – but a woman who fears the LORD she shall be praised.”
- Look away… vs. 6
- Do not look upon me because I am dark because the sun has tanned me.
- My mothers sons were angry with me. They made me the keeper of the vineyards.
- But my own vineyard I have not kept!
- PLEASE [jussive] do NOT look [רָאָה] at me because I am BLACK…
- She was TANNED because she had to work under the SUN…
- The children of her MOTHER [perhaps a different father] burnt [niphal] her…
- They made her WORK in the VINEYARDS…
- So she was NOT able to keep up her own VINEYARD [personal appearance]!
- I Peter 3:3-4 – “Do not let your adornment be outward… rather let it be the hidden person of the heart…which is very precious in the sight of God.”
- If ALL that we focus on is the OUTWARD appearance [skin color]
- Arranging our HAIR – having the most expensive JEWELRY…
- Fine CLOTHING – obsessed with the latest FASHIONS…
- Then there is a PROBLEM – because these things do NOT make for a great MARRIAGE!
- People spend LOTS of money trying to hold on to the BEAUTY of their youth…
- They buy beauty products – spend HOURS in front of the mirror – surgery…
- But no matter how hard they try – age ALWAYS wins out in the END…
- What really matter is NOT what is on the OUTSIDE – it is what is INSIDE!
- Dark skin… vs. 4-5
- 2nd – Beautiful… vs. 7-8
- Searching… vs. 7
- To Her Beloved: 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?
- The Shulamite said to the one her [נֶפֶשׁ] SOUL loved [אָהַב]
- She was NOT just in love with him PHYSICALLY – and EMOTIONALLY…
- She also had a SPIRITUAL connection to SOLOMON…
- Therefore – even if she DOUBTED that she was WORTHY [dark]
- She wanted to be near him – so insisted [imperative] he tell her where he was working…
- Where was he SHEPHERDING [רָעָה] his flocks – where was he taking his SIESTA…
- Because WHY [מָה] would she want to be around any other SHEPHERD!
- If Jen and I ever get into a disagreement – it is because I am too BUSY…
- And she is quick to remind me all that she wants is to be NEAR me!
- Fairest… vs. 8
- The Beloved: If you do not know O fairest among women!
- For the FIRST time we get a response from SOLOMON…
- It is worth noting that the WOMAN has a LOT more to say than the MAN…
- The first thing he does is assure her – even if she could NOT [אִם־לֹא] see [יָדַע] it…
- She was the most BEAUTIFUL [יָפֶה] woman!
- Ask a man who has been married for FIFTY years – who is the MOST beautiful woman…
- Watch as he looks with loving eyes at an ELDERLY woman…
- And tells you with compelling conviction – it is HER!
- It is interesting how people define what is beautiful…
- The world gives women an impossible standard – that NO man actually believes…
- Because beauty is NOT physical – it comes from the heart…
- A woman who has the heart of her husband – will ALWAYS be the MOST beautiful to him!
- Searching… vs. 7
- 3rd – Friendship… vs. 8-11
- Follow me… vs. 8
- Follow in the footsteps of the flock and feed your little goats beside the shepherds tents!
- Solomon went on to tell the SHULAMITE – follow [imperative] the FLOCK…
- He wanted [imperative] her to bring her own goats to feed alongside his…
- Because as much as she wanted to be with him – he wanted to be with her!
- No comparison… vs. 9
- I have compared you my [friend] – to my filly among Pharaohs chariots!
- Solomon knew the Shulamite was something SPECIAL…
- She was like a ROYAL horse [filly] who pulled the Chariot of a King [Pharoah]
- Therefore – he was proud to call her his FRIEND [רַעְיָה] – feminine of the Hebrew [רֵעַ]!
- When God saw that Adam was alone in the Garden – it was NOT good – Genesis 2:18
- Too often we forget the main reason for marriage is FRIENDSHIP…
- Our spouse should be our BEST friend – the ONLY one we will have for a lifetime!
- Gifts… vs. 10-11
- The Beloved: Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments. Your neck with chains of gold!
- The Daughters of Jerusalem: We will make you ornaments of gold – with studs of silver!
- Solomon saw the beauty [נָאָה] of the Shulamite – and gave her GIFTS…
- So her FACE could be complemented by earnings [תּוֹר] – her NECK by a gold chain…
- And the daughters of Jerusalem wanted to HELP…
- They would make more earnings [תּוֹר] of GOLD and SILVER for her!
- This is where we start to see the comparisons to Christ and the Church…
- Like the Shulamite we are DARK – because of our SIN…
- And we DOUBT whether we are WORTHY to be LOVED by Jesus [who is our PEACE]
- But He reassures us that we are the MOST beautiful…
- And to prove it He lavishes GIFTS up us to prove His LOVE to us!
- Romans 12:6 – “Having then GIFTS differing according to the grace that is given to us.”
- Follow me… vs. 8
- 1st – Not worthy… vs. 4-6
- 3rd – Confirmation… vs. 12-17
- 1st – In Love… vs. 12
- Over the heart… vs. 12-13
- The Shulamite: While the king is at his table My spikenard sends forth its fragrance.
- A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me that lies all night between my breasts!
- When [עַד] the Shulamite was with [שֶׁ] the King [מֶלֶךְ] at [בִּ] his Table [מֵסַב]
- The smell of her PERFUME would fill the AIR…
- It came from a bag of MYRRH that she wore around her NECK…
- She liked it to her BELOVED [דּוֹד] – because it lay over her HEART [between her breasts]!
- Covering… vs. 14
- My beloved is to me a [covering] in the vineyards of En Gedi!
- Her BELOVED [דּוֹד] was the COVERING [כֹּפֶר] for her…
- So that when she worked in the VINEYARDS [of En Gedi] she would NOT get DARK
- Jesus came to COVER [כֹּפֶר] us – so that God would NOT see our sin…
- Now when God looks down on us – He does NOT see our DARKNESS – Hebrews 10:17
- Over the heart… vs. 12-13
- 2nd – Behold… vs. 15-17
- Say it again… vs. 15
- The Beloved: Behold you are fair my love! Behold you are fair! You have doves eyes!
- Solomon came back with the same statement – BEHOLD [הֵן] you are BEAUTIFUL [יָפֶה]
- BEHOLD [הֵן] His FRIEND [רַעְיָה] was the most BEAUTIFUL of all…
- He loved to stare into her LARGE [dove] eyes!
- It goes without saying that women are DIFFERENT than men…
- As men we said I LOVE you on the wedding day – and will let you know if that changes…
- But our wives need CONSTANT affirmation – reminders of our LOVE!
- Men are taught from youth that their ONE purpose is to PROVIDE…
- But that is NOT true – God is the one who provides for our family – Luke 12:31
- The one thing wives NEED – is the LOVE of Jesus from their HUSBANDS…
- When we do not daily show our wives His LOVE – they begin to feel insecure…
- And then they begin to challenge us – because they are insecure in our LOVE!
- Time together… vs. 16-17
- The Shulamite: Behold you are handsome my beloved! Yes pleasant!
- Also our bed is green. The beams of our houses are cedar and our rafters of fir!
- The Shulamite had a similar response – BEHOLD [הֵן] you are BEAUTIFUL [יָפֶה]
- She enjoyed spending time with her BELOVED [דּוֹד]
- They would LIE [bed] beside each other in the GREEN grass…
- As they went for walks under the TREE [house of cedar – rafters of cypress]!
- It is worth noting – that Solomon and the Shulamite spent time together PUBLICLY…
- Before we are married – we need to PROTECT ourselves from stumbling…
- It is a good RULE – to make sure we are NOT alone [public places]
- We understand that in order to have a RELATIONSHIP with someone – it takes TIME…
- In the same way – we will ONLY get to know Jesus if we spend TIME with Him…
- Reading our Bible – prayer – these are NOT rituals…
- They are the ways we get to WALK with our LORD – and build a RELATIONSHIP!
- Say it again… vs. 15
- 1st – In Love… vs. 12
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