Introduction… vs. 1

• 1^st – 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.”
      
• 2^nd – 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!
• 3^rd – 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.”
• 4^th – 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!

• 1^st – Dreaming of marriage… vs. 2-4
  • 1^st – 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!
        
  • 2^nd – 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.”

• 2^nd – Doubting… vs. 4-11
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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!
  • 3^rd – 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.”

• 3^rd – Confirmation… vs. 12-17
  • 1^st – 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
        
  • 2^nd – 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!