Song of Solomon is an interesting book in the Bible to be sure. It is focused on a passionate relationship between a bride and her groom. So many people mischaracterize YHWH’s position on sexual relations, claiming He just has a long list of “do nots”. Dismissing or getting angry at YHWH for that is like getting mad at someone who makes hair dryers for putting the label on it that says “keep away from water”. The warnings and boundaries are there for your protection. YHWH invented the gift of sexual relationship between a man and a woman. He gave it to us as part of the marriage relationship. He created us to feel passion and excitement, but it is intended only for marriage of one man and one woman. Yes, it is supposed to be enjoyed in marriage!
As you read Song of Solomon, realize that it was first written in a different time, place and culture. Do not get tripped up over some of the references (e.g. “like the tents of Kedar”), but seek to understand the excitement and passion they felt for one another… the love they felt for one another.
Another level to consider is that God compares our relationship with him to a bride and groom as well. Jesus is the groom and the church is the bride. We should think about how passionate we should be in our pursuit of Christ in how it compares to the example in Song of Solomon. I am referring to the passion and love, not the physical relationship… which in this perspective is not literal.
The Young Shulammite Bride and Jerusalem’s Daughters
1The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.
2“May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!
For your love is better than wine.
3“Your oils have a pleasing fragrance,
Your name is like purified oil;
Therefore the maidens love you.
4“Draw me after you and let us run together!
The king has brought me into his chambers.”
“We will rejoice in you and be glad;
We will extol your love more than wine.
Rightly do they love you.”
5“I am black but lovely,
O daughters of Jerusalem,
Like the tents of Kedar,
Like the curtains of Solomon.
6“Do not stare at me because I am swarthy,
For the sun has burned me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me;
They made me caretaker of the vineyards,
But I have not taken care of my own vineyard.
7“Tell me, O you whom my soul loves,
Where do you pasture your flock,
Where do you make it lie down at noon?
For why should I be like one who veils herself
Beside the flocks of your companions?”
Solomon, the Lover, Speaks
8“If you yourself do not know,
Most beautiful among women,
Go forth on the trail of the flock
And pasture your young goats
By the tents of the shepherds.
9“To me, my darling, you are like
My mare among the chariots of Pharaoh.
10“Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments,
Your neck with strings of beads.”
11“We will make for you ornaments of gold
With beads of silver.”
12“While the king was at his table,
My perfume gave forth its fragrance.
13“My beloved is to me a pouch of myrrh
Which lies all night between my breasts.
14“My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms
In the vineyards of Engedi.”
15“How beautiful you are, my darling,
How beautiful you are!
Your eyes are like doves.”
16“How handsome you are, my beloved,
And so pleasant!
Indeed, our couch is luxuriant!
17“The beams of our houses are cedars,
Our rafters, cypresses.
I feel it worthwhile to mention, that though Solomon was granted great wisdom by YHWH when He was young, He still made a significant mistake in embracing the concept of more than one wife and of concubines that was more common back then. It was a fail on his part and drew Him apart from YHWH as Solomon got older. We have the opportunity to learn from him what is good and reject the mistakes he made.
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