The Book of Song of Solomon - BBE

Purpose of The Book of Song of Solomon:
To put sexuality in the context of pure love and not the extremes of sensuous lust or asceticism. To put sexuality in the context of the covenant of marriage. The Song of Songs is a poem that explores the composition of true love, and beautifully illustrates the virtues of healthy sexual relationships.

Major Characters of The Book of Song of Solomon:
The Lover, the Shunnamite Woman (the Beloved), the Daughters of Jerusalem (their friends).

Summary of The Book of Song of Solomon:
This poem describes, in vivid and erotic metaphors, the pursuit and enjoyment of love between a man and a woman. At certain times in the Church's history the material was actually considered inappropriate for pious souls, and therefore was read as one grand metaphor of the love God has for His people. While this is certainly an application we can make from the book, there is no denying that the physical relationship between a man and a woman is at the heart of this magnificent piece of poetry, and that sexuality is an essential component of God's intentions for humanity. In this book we receive a picture of the context in which sexual love is to be enjoyed to the glory of God, its creator.

Author and Dates of The Book of Song of Solomon:
The Song of Solomon is almost impossible to date with any precision or assurance. The fact that it mentions Solomon (3:6-11; 8:10-12) assures us that it could not be written before his kingship, around 930 B.C. We know that Solomon's reign was characterized by renewed interest in wisdom and the arts, so it is plausible that it was written at that time. The latter section speaks of Solomon in the past tense, however, so it may well have been written some time later.

Outline of The Book of Song of Solomon:

1. Anticipation (1:1 - 2:7).
2. Found, and Lost (2:8 - 3:5).
3. Consummation (3:6 -5:1).
• Wedding processional (3:6 - 3:11)
• Passionate expressions of love (4:1 - 5:1)
4. Lost, and Found: Conflict and resolution (5:2 - 6:13).
5. More expressions of love (7:1 - 8:4).
6. Affirmation (8:5 - 8:14).

Themes of The Book of Song of Solomon:
Love: It is more than, but certainly not less than, physical. It is based on honor and intimacy, and should indeed be a representation of the love God has for us (Eph. 5:22 - 23).
The Garden: The picture painted in the Song resembles the pristine purity and shamelessness of Eden.
The Senses: The Song describes the intimacy between the Lover and the Beloved with every sensory faculty man possesses: sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch.