Enjoying love in marriage SONG OF SOLOMON Enjoying love in marriage

SONG OF SOLOMON: Title “Song of Solomon” – in most English versions. Based on 1:1 – “which is Solomon’s.” Could = “for Solomon,” “to Solomon,” or “concerning Solomon” “Song of Songs” – Usual Heb. & Greek title, based on1:1. Means “the most excellent of all songs.” “Canticles” – based on Latin word for “songs.”

SONG OF SOLOMON: The Book A collection of love poems set in a dramatic framework May have been composed by or for Solomon on the occasion of one of his many marriages One of the 5 Scrolls read annually at Jewish festivals. “Song” is the scroll for Passover

SONG OF SOLOMON: Plot Very difficult to follow, since there are multiple speakers & the setting isn’t always clear Basically, two lovers praise one another, especially for their physical beauty They seek to be together, but for some reason can’t always do so

SONG OF SOLOMON: Characters The Bride (Shulamith) & Bridegroom (Solomon) An unidentified “chorus” who comment on the couple’s love for one another. Possibly a group of the bride’s friends

SONG OF SOLOMON: Difficulties Often neglected & its canonical status questioned b/c of: Absence of explicitly religious themes – Name of God not even mentioned Lack of a traceable plot. I.e., what is the book about? Erotic nature of the love poems – Led to allegorical interpretation in both Judaism (“God’s Love for Israel”) & the church (“Christ’s Love for the Church”)

SONG OF SOLOMON: Purpose & Theme Vivid illustration of Prov. 5:18-19: “Let your fountain be blessed, & rejoice in the wife of your youth. . . . Be intoxicated always with her love.” In a time of rampant sexual perversion & abuse, the Song provides a corrective by exalting the joys of monogamous, heterosexual, marital love.

SONG OF SOLOMON: Key Verse “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. . . . Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.” Song of Solomon 8:6-7

SONG OF SOLOMON: Lessons for Today Marital love is a ___________ from God & ought to be __________________. Marital love must be expressed _______________ as well as ________________. Open expressions of love add _____________ & ____________ to a marriage.