Song of Solomon
Title & Holy Writer:
The name of the book is taken from the first verse which reads, “The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.” This book has been known by the title Song of Solomon, or simply Song of Songs. The phrase Song of Songs is a superlative meaning “the best of the songs.” This type of expression is common in the Old Testament. For example you may think of phrases like: “Lord of Lords” which means “the greatest Lord” (Deuteronomy 10:17); the “Holy of Holies,” referring to the most holy place in the temple (Exodus 26:33); or “Vanity of Vanities” (the greatest vanity - Ecclesiastes 1:2). From the very title we should understand that the Song of Songs is a special book. The opening verse of the book clearly attributes this book to Solomon. In addition, the book refers to Solomon by name six times in its eight short chapters. King Solomon is described in the book of Kings in this way:
“Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish” (1 Kings 4:30-33).
When we remember that Solomon wrote over a thousand songs (1 Kings 4:32), it should not surprise us that the greatest of those songs would have been inspired by the Holy Spirit and saved for us as part of God’s Word. There are also a great number of plant and animal names referred to in the book which relate the vast knowledge Solomon had of these things (1 Kings 4:33), as well as numerous expressions which are also found in the Book of Proverbs.
Purpose:
The world is full of love songs. But the beautiful words of the song alone would not justify the title “Song of Songs.” And certainly a mere love song would not have been found worthy of a place among the sacred writings of the Old Testament. So why would it have been included in the Old Testament Scriptures? In order to answer that question it is helpful if we realize that the Song of Songs was used along with Esther, Ruth, Ecclesiastes, and Lamentations and read throughout the Jewish church year. The Song of Songs was read during the festival of the Passover. The Passover commemorated the Israelites’ deliverance from the bondage of the Egyptians. So although this book describes the love between a man and a woman, it is also picturing the love between God and His people. Such a theme would most certainly be appropriate during the Passover.
We should be aware that the wonderful and intimate relationship which exists between Christ and His Church is frequently symbolized by the simile of the bridegroom and his bride. The Bible abounds with such comparisons:
• A clear example of this is found throughout the Book of Hosea, “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the LORD” (Hosea 2:19-20);
• also in Isaiah, “And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you” (62:5);
• and Jeremiah, “‘Return, O backsliding children,’ says the LORD; ‘for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion’” (3:14).
• This concept was also continued in the New Testament. John the Baptist referred to Jesus, saying, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled” (John 3:28-29).
We can be sure that such a comparison was familiar to the Jews from these many Old Testament passages.
Interestingly, it was during the time of the Passover when the Song of Solomon was customarily read that Jesus most often alluded to the bride and bridegroom theme: In the parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14), and the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) and others (cf. John 14:2-3).
We can be sure that this is the meaning of the Song of Solomon: its dramatic scenes depict the longing of the Church for her heavenly Bridegroom, as well as the Savior’s divine love for her.
Outline:
I. The Beginning of Love (1:1-3:5)
A. The Yearning for Love (1:1-2:7)
B. The Search for Love (2:8-3:5)
II. The Wedding (3:5-5:1)
III. The Separation and Reunion (5:2-8:4)
IV. Reminiscences (8:5-14)
Note: This study was prepared for the Bible Class at Zion Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, GA by Pastor Nathanael Mayhew.