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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”
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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.