Thursday, September 12 – Song of Solomon 1, 2

1. Who is the author of the Song of Solomon? (Song of Solomon 1:1)

2. According to the beloved’s words, why was she despised, even by her brothers? (Song of Solomon 1:5, 6)

3. In figurative language, what does Solomon compare his beloved to? (Song of Solomon 1:9)

4. What titles does Solomon use for himself or his bride at the beginning of chapter 2 that have also been applied to Christ? (Song of Solomon 2:1)

5. What does Solomon compare his beloved to among the maidens? (Song of Solomon 2:2)

The book’s title in Hebrew is “Song of Songs,” which means “the greatest of Solomon’s many songs,” much like “King of Kings,” which signifies “the supreme King.”

Solomon “spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five” (1 Kings 4:32). In the Hebrew Old Testament canon, a book of his Proverbs has been preserved, but the Song of Songs appears to be the only one of his songs included in the canon. It is a beautiful, oriental love song written as a lyrical dialogue with a particular dramatic flow.

“While the whole song is apparently a love story of Solomon and a country girl of northern Palestine whom King Solomon married only for love, the story itself serves as a beautiful illustration of the love of Christ for the church as a whole, and also for each individual member of the church. Both the Old and the New Testament Scriptures illustrate the tender union between God and His people by the relationship of a husband to his bride (see Isa. 54:4, 5; Jer. 3:14; 2 Cor. 11:2; MB 100).” (SDA Bible Commentary, Introduction, Theme)

“Solomon compares his bride with her ornaments to a decked-out royal mare. The comparison seems crude to a Western mind, but it is entirely appropriate in Oriental thinking.” (SDA Bible Commentary, Song of Solomon 1:9)

Spikenard is a fragrant perfume, possibly imported from India, which became a trade item from ancient times. Myrrh was likely extracted from an aromatic resin of an Arabian tree. It is known that Hebrew women sometimes carried a bottle or pouch of myrrh under their garments, hanging from their necks.

Henna flowers grew in southern Palestine and produced perfumed yellow and white blooms. Sometimes, the flowers and branches were ground into powder, which women used to make an orange dye for painting their hands and feet.

“Hence, by spiritual application, both the titles “rose of Sharon” and “lily of the valleys” have been referred to Christ. Grammatically and contextually, however, it is more natural to consider this verse a statement of the bride. According to it the bride is confessing her modesty, stating that she feels out of place in a palace.

“Sharon” means literally, “a field,” “a plain,” and as a proper name signifies the maritime plain between Joppa and Mt. Carmel. The LXX takes “Sharon” here as a general designation of an open field.” (SDA Bible Commentary, Song of Solomon 2:1)

The exquisite figures of speech used by Solomon are noteworthy. He creates a heartfelt dialogue between himself and his beloved, worthy of a dramatic work. He compares her to the best among others: she is to him like a lily among thorns, thus elevating her above all others. On the other hand, she compares him to an apple tree among wild trees, placing him above all others. What a magnificent lesson in devotion to the one you love! When we truly love, no one else can occupy that place in our hearts—only the one we are committed to.

May you have a blessed day.