Song of Solomon 1 - Bible Study in 5 Minutes
Song of Solomon 1 Short Summary:
The short introduction tells us Solomon was the author of this book. In chapter 1, we are introduced to the 2 lovers of the Song of Songs as they express their attraction to one another and their desire to spend time together.
Song of Solomon 1 Bible Study
AUTHOR:
Ecclesiastes was almost certainly written by Solomon (Ecc 1:1), the son of David, the 3rd king of the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah.
His palace and the Temple of God were located in Jerusalem.
Solomon became king in approximately 1015 B.C and reigned for 40 years.
KEY CHARACTERS:
The Young Woman – A beautiful Shulamite woman who is the object of the young man’s affections.
The Young Man – A handsome young man, Solomon, who is the object of the young woman’s affections.
Daughters of Jerusalem – These women interject supplementary comments into the dialog between the young man and woman.
DEFINITIONS:
Nard (1:12) – A popular ancient perfume. It was nard that Mary used to anoint Jesus’ feet in Bethany in John 12:3.
Myrrh (1:13) – A resin extracted from a plant. It was commonly used in perfumes and as medicine.
Henna (1:14) – A plant with a white or blue blossom. It has medicinal and cosmetic uses.
OUTLINE:
INTRODUCTION (1:1):
The song opens with a very brief introduction, just one sentence.
“The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.”
THE YOUNG WOMAN’S LOVE (1:2-7):
After being introduced, the song immediately thrusts us into dialog between the lovers.
The woman speaks first and tells us how she adores Solomon and also a few details about herself.
She wanted her lover’s lips to kiss her, saying that his love was more intoxicating than wine.
She compared Solomon’s name to good smelling anointing oil (something like cologne/perfume). His aroma was pleasing, his name was respected, and he was admired by all the women.
She wanted Solomon to pursue her and spend time with her privately.
After a short interjection from the Daughters of Jerusalem, the young woman took a moment to describe herself, specifically her skin, which she seemed self-conscious about.
She described herself as “very dark.” Her explanation for this was that her family disliked her and made her work in the vineyards. She had kept their vineyards well, but in doing so she neglected her own vineyard (her own appearance).
In ancient days, and also in some areas of the modern world, women wanted fair skin as proof their families were affluent and they didn’t have to work the fields like daughters of peasants. This seems to be the concern of the young woman in our text. She was in love with a handsome king who was desired by all women, but she didn’t meet the beauty standard of the day.
The young woman spoke to her lover as if her were a shepherd. She asked him where he pastured his flocks so she could join him.
THE YOUNG MAN (SOLOMON) SPEAKS (1:8-10):
Her beloved, as he is often called in the song, welcomed her company and told her to follow the tracks of his flock to find him.
He compared her to a mare (female horse) in Pharoah’s stables.
He admired her cheeks and her neck on which jewelry and gems hung.
THE LOVERS COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER (1:11-17):
The young women perfumed herself with nard that she knew would drift to where Solomon was sitting and make him desire her.
She described him as a small pouch of myrrh hanging between her breasts, and as a beautiful henna plant blossoming in a desert oasis (Engedi).
Solomon responded back, complementing her eyes, which he said were like dove’s eyes.
She complemented his handsomeness in return.
In the final verses, she described their home with the beauty of nature. The beams were as cedar and the rafters as pine. What is more beautiful than the natural world, and what is more beautiful than a house filled with love?
APPLICATION
Unfortunately, it is often the case that we put too much value on traits that don’t matter and too little value on traits that do matter.
The young woman in our text was concerned about the tint of her skin, a physical characteristic that shouldn’t matter that much.
She did not meet the perfect physical beauty standard of the day, which may have caused some to look past her.
But for those willing to look beyond that superficial quality, like Solomon, they found an exquisite woman, physically beautiful for sure, but also a woman who was humble about her appearance, and a woman who was a hard worker.
Her tan skin was the result of her hard work in the vineyards of her hateful relatives (very Cinderella).
Men… look for qualities below the surface that make a woman more beautiful. Your life with a lazy and vain porcelain doll, no matter how pretty, will be void of the type of love described in this book.
Ladies… look for qualities below the surface that make a man more handsome. You will regret your life with a vain and lazy husband when you could have married a man who works for your respect and the respect of those around him.
