1. survey of the Bible

2.  like the other books of poetry/wisdom, the Song of Solomon is unique in many ways  only Old Testament book not to be referenced in some way by the New Testament  written in the form of a play, with characters and scenes, though the exact parts are not preserved  because of this, several interpretations have been suggested and accepted, though because of the material, they do not differ doctrinally

3.  marriage of King Solomon to the Shulamite  according to this reading, Solomon marries the Shulamite early in the book, and the book is a poetic view of the joys and troubles of marriage  however, while Solomon is certainly a character in this story (3:6-11), his is not the best example of marriage (6:8-9)(1 Kngs. 11:1-4)

4.  courting of the Shulamite by a shepherd  according to this reading, the Shulamite loves and is loved by a shepherd (1:7-8), but is also pursued by the vain king, Solomon  she eventually rejects the advances of Solomon – centering around riches, beauty, and sensuality – in favor of the true love of the shepherd (8:5-7)

5. similar themes, regardless of reading  the emotional side of love is not to be ignored  it is a powerful force, if rightly directed (2:3-5, 6-7)  under the restrictions of God’s law, it will guard and maintain the closeness of marriage (8:6-7)  infatuation is shallow, but true love is loyal  (Prov. 31:30)(1 Cor. 13:8)  the beauty and promise of marriage and the joys and fulfillment it holds (Gen. 2:18)

6.  as Paul describes, married love has both a spiritual and temporal application (Eph. 5:22-33)  spiritually, Christ is the head of the church, loves her and provides for her, and His faithfulness is to be rewarded with our own faithfulness to His will  likewise, the husband bears the responsibility of selfless leadership, and the wife the honorable charge of submission and support

7.  Song of Solomon reminds us of the joy and love that should accompany courtship and marriage  while not an obvious connection to the scheme of redemption (Christ and the church), godly families are essential to the strength of the God’s kingdom  will you respond to the love and offering that was given by Christ in for your soul?