Thoughts

Introduction

My comments will be an introduction to this very unique book of the Bible, so I’ll make them before we read. When we visit the book next week, I’ll comment on the content of that day’s reading.

What Is This Book?

Whether this book is to be taken literally, spiritually or allegorically has been debated over the centuries. Because of the nature of the content, some commentators, preachers and teachers have avoided it altogether. But even in Victorian England, Charles Spurgeon preached nearly 60 sermons on it. 

Some believe that this is a book that portrays only the love relationship between God and His people. 

Others believe that it is what it appears to be…a book showing romantic and sensual love between a man and a woman. We see snapshots of their courtship and their marriage.

I tend to believe that this book is intended to show how a loving and pure relationship between a man and a woman is blessed by, and a gift of, the God who created man and woman. And at the same time, I believe that it is intended to show the intensity of how strong God wants our relationship to be with Him. G. Campbell Morgan wrote, “There are those who treat this Book as a song of human love. There are those who consider its only value is that of its mystical suggestiveness. Personally, I believe that both values are here.” 

God Created Physical Love

God created the institution of marriage, and He created the act of physical love, to be shared by a husband and a wife. There is nothing shameful about it within the confines of marriage. It is the enemy who perverts it, as he does with every other thing that God created.

One important thing to note as we read through this book, is that procreation is not mentioned even once. And this should tell us that physical love is not intended solely for that purpose. It is to be enjoyed as a time of bonding and pleasure.

The Name of This Book

In some translations, this book is called the Song of Solomon. In others it is called the Song of Songs. And still others call it the Latin word for the word “songs”…Canticles. 

The Author

Solomon, the son of David, is the writer of the book. According to 1 Kings 4:32 he wrote 1,005 songs. This book is called “Song of Songs” because it is considered the greatest.

The Players

While there are other interpretations, my belief is that there are three main players to be found as we read.

First, there is the young maiden, or bride, often called “The Shulamite”. She was from a small farming village called Shunem. Then there is the young man, called “The Beloved”, who is Solomon. Lastly there is the chorus, or “the Daughters of Jerusalem”. A few other characters show up, but are not major players.

Learn More

There are many good commentaries on the Song of Solomon, and if you want to know more, I encourage you to read one or more of them for a deeper understanding than our time allows on this show. 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-2 NKJV

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