Song of SolomonSong of Solomon

God’s GuidebookGod’s GuidebookTo Happy Dating and MarriageTo Happy Dating and Marriage

Background

• Several authors are suggested by scholars, but the author set forth in this series is Solomon

– “The song of songs…” (1 Kings 4:32)

– “… which is Solomon’s” (1:1)

– Solomon is mentioned seven times (1:1,5; 3:7,9,11; 8:11-12) along with his royal luxury and costly imports (1:12-13; 3:6-11; 4:4; 5:14-15)

Background• Several authors are suggested by scholars, but the

author set forth in this series is Solomon

– Geographical references are made to places in northern and southern Palestine (6:4)

– References are made to a variety of plants and animals (1 Kings 4:33)

– Reference is made to concubines (1 Kings 11:3)

– Reference is made to chariots (1 Kings 10:28-29)

Background

• Song of Solomon is a love song written by Solomon using Hebrew poetry. It records literal and historical stages of true love (from 1:2 to 8:7) found between Solomon and a Shulamite shepherd girl (6:13).

• Song of Solomon describes the development of pure and dignified love within a healthy marriage relationship. The ideal love and sexual intimacy that God ordains for a married couple is found here (Gen. 2:24). This is a much needed love song in our contemporary world of sexual immorality.

Background

• Song of Solomon is divided into three different scenes: 1) courtship (1:2-3:5), 2) wedding / honeymoon (3:6 – 5:1), and 3) married life (5:2-8:14)

• Song of Solomon contains three main characters: Solomon (“my beloved”), the Shulamite woman (“my love”), and the daughters of Jerusalem (friends of the couple)

Outline• Falling in Love (1:1 – 3:5) – Courtship Days

(Cultivating Love)

• United in love (3:6 – 5:1) – Wedding Day (Consummating Love)

• Struggling in Love (5:2 – 7:9) – Marriage Frustration (Caring Love)

• Maturing in Love (7:10 – 8:14) – Marriage Faithfulness (Conquering Love)

Courtship Days( Song of Solomon 1:1 – 3:5 )

• Longing of love in courtship (1:1-8)

• Expressions of love in courtship (1:9 – 2:9)

• Activities of love in courtship (2:10-17)

• Determination of love in courtship (3:1-5)

Courtship Days( Song of Solomon 1:1 – 3:5 )

• The Shulamite (1:2-4)• The Daughters of Jerusalem (1:4)• The Shulamite (1:5-7)• The Beloved (1:8-10)• The Daughters of Jerusalem (1:11)• The Shulamite (1:12-14)• The Beloved (1:15)• The Shulamite (1:16 – 2:1)• The Beloved (2:2)• The Shulamite (2:3-9)• The Beloved (2:10-14)• The Shulamite (2:15 – 3:5)

Courtship Days( Song of Solomon 1:1 – 3:5 )

• Dating is a good opportunity to express love for each other

• Dating is a good opportunity to share respect and admiration for each other

• Dating is a good opportunity to gain knowledge of each other

• Dating is a good opportunity to develop a strong bond for each other

Keys to Cultivating Love

( Song of Solomon 1:2 – 3:5)• Desire closeness (1:2-3)• Verbalize confirmation (1:4)• Admit contrition (1:5-6)• Seek company (1:7-8)• Express compliments (1:9-16)• Accept contentment (1:17)• Practice carefulness (2:1-7)• Develop companionship (2:8-17)• Determine commitment (3:1-5)

Four Stages of Frustration

( Song of Solomon 3:1-5)• Separation (v.1)

• Determination (v. 2-3)

• Celebration (v. 4)

• Limitation (v. 5)

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned• Look for someone that you can truly love; be

highly selective; desire only one to be with (S.S. 1:2,4; 2:4; Gen. 2:18-24; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:19; Tit. 2:4)

• Look for someone with inward, godly character, not just outward physical beauty (S.S. 1:3; Prov. 22:1; Eccl. 7:1; Prov. 31:30; 1 Pet. 3:4)

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned• Look for someone with a good work ethic

(S.S. 1:5-7; Prov. 31:10ff; 1 Thess. 4:11; 1 Tim. 5:8)

• Look for someone who is kind, considerate, and appreciative of you; words that are plentiful, personal, positive, and pure (S.S. 1:9-17; 2:1-6; 3:8-17; 1 Pet. 3:7)

Lessons LearnLessons Learneded• Keep love within its proper bounds and not

engage in physical intimacy until the proper time; exercise restraint; dating but waiting (S.S. 2:7; 3:5; 1 Cor. 6:15-20; 1 Thess. 4:3-7)

• Spend time together in preparation for a life-long companionship together (S.S. 2:8-17; Gen. 2:18; Mal. 2:14; Mt. 19:6)

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned• Determine not to let anything stand in the

way of true love (3:1-4; Prov. 12:4; 18:22; 19:14; 31:10-31)