Solomon's Best Seller: "Song of Songs"

Solomon’s Best Seller: “Song of Songs” 1:1

God’s love song poetically declares His design for marriage.

Introduction: King Solomon is the author (1:1-5;  3:11;  8:12).                     

He was young, & Israel was still one kingdom (3:11; 6:8-9).  

He disobeyed God as he got older.  I Kings 11:3-11;  Ex. 20:14 

Purposes:

1.      Prepare Young people for purity & pleasure in marriage.  

The daughters blessed & praised her  (1:3b-4, 11; 6:8-9).

Young virgins, don’t awaken love before its time (2:7; 3:5). 

The bride’s brothers show that love protects. (8:4, 8-9).

2.       Proclaim marriage is 1 man and 1 woman for life.                

My love is a lily among thorns - the virgins (2:2).

 She is the only one, & the “pure one”  (6:8-9).

 Notice the singular pronouns throughout.

 Genesis 2:18-25 -  God’s foundational, moral design.

3.       Exalt tender, loving, cherishing, edifying speech. 

 Your neck is lovely with chains of gold (1:10).

 You are fair, my love.  You have dove’s eyes (1:15).

 You are handsome, my beloved (1:16).

4.      Present marriage intimacy as God’s Holy gift.      

“Let him kiss me; … for your love is better than wine” (1:2).

New wine is non-alcoholic, and a pure blessing from God just like marriage intimacy.  Cf. Deut. 14:26; Judges 9:12-13;  Psalm 4:6-7;  Isaiah 65:8.

Marriage intimacy enraptures God’s people instead of alcoholic wine & strong drink. Cf. Prov. 20:1; 23:20, 29-35;  Prov. 31:4-6;  Habakkuk 2:9, 12, 15, 19

5.    Picture Christ & His Bride as a love relationship.  Eph. 5:23

The Bride is the Rose of Sharon & a Lily of the Valley

I.        The Bride Changed how she saw Herself (1:5-6; 2:1-2).

A.     She was dark from working as a common laborer.

B.     She was insecure; feared rejection; had family issues.

C.    After encouragement from the groom & friends, she saw herself as a rose of Sharon and a lily of the valley.

1.      “Rose” was a known flower to English translators.  It was likely a crocus, a leafless meadow chaffron, or type of daffodil;  a common wild flower in lush Sharon valley between Mt. Carmel & Galilee.   Isaiah 35:1- will be abundant in the Millennium

2.      “Lily of the valley;” a white daisy-like flower.  1 day,  Israel will repent & grow as a lily.  Hosea 14:1-7

II.      The Groom, King Solomon, praised her (1:8-10, 15).

A.     He bragged on her for various attributes.

B.     He contrasted her special place with all others in 2:2; he told her she stood out as a lily among thorns.  Apply this to each other, and God’s view of His Bride.

III.       The Young Ladies Cheered on the Bride & Groom (1:3-4).

A.     The virgins loved the king in a righteous way.

B.     They expressed support for the newlyweds (cf. 1:11).

1.      We will run hurriedly after you.

2.      We will rejoice & delight in you.

3.      We will remember ( name & extol ) your love.

4.      We will make you gold ornaments w/ silver studs.

Apply:  When Christ is our Groom, we are the “rose” He loves  from among the thorns.   As the young virgins, let us praise the deserving Groom & discouraged “Bride” members.  You may want to discuss promises for God’s people in the Millennium.