Song of Solomon
The Shulamite by Gustav Moreau
The Song of Solomon rejoices over human sexuality and love between Solomon and a shepherdess. The sexual imagery is strong, and it shows us that sexual pleasure is something God ordained. However, this is not the selfish sexual pleasure of lust which the Bible warns against (1 Peter 2.11). Throughout the book the author counsels the listener not “stir up or awaken love until it pleases” (2.7; 3.5; 8.4). Sex should be reserved for marriage (8.8-10).
The book doesn’t follow in chronological order. It begins and ends with the consummation, and in between it cycles through the themes of of courtship (lovers longing for one another), wedding (celebration of the lifelong union of man and woman), and consummation (physical and spiritual union).
The Song also connects the passion of love to the power of the LORD (8.6). While human sexuality and love are in the foreground, in the background we can also read the Song as a reminder of God’s passionate love for His people. This marital theme is found in other places: Isa 54.5; Jer 31.32; Hos 1.2ff, Eph 1.11-14; 5.22-6.4.
Chapter Notes
01) The song begins with Solomon and the Shulamite together expressing the joys of their love and the pleasure they give to one another. “Shulamite” probably refers to a woman from northern region of Israel known as Shulem.
02) The Shulamite and Solomon compare her to a flower. She compares him to an apple tree. She rejoices in the wedding celebration, but she warns others not to stir up love until it pleases. The song shifts to premarital desire for each other.
03) The Shulamite describes how she looked for her beloved, found him, and brought him to the wedding chamber. She then praises Solomon for his valiant men, his palanquin (a portable chair), and his crown.
04) The beloved describes the physical beauty of the Shulamite. He calls her his “sister” and “spouse.” He describes her as an aromatic garden, and she calls for the wind to blow her aroma to the beloved.
05) The beloved comes to her (his garden) and eats and drinks. The Shulamite dreams that the beloved is close and wants to come in. She tries to let him in, but he disappears. She goes out and looks for him. She tells the daughters of Jerusalem to find him. She then describes his physical beauty as he had described her.
06) The Shulamite says, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” The beloved describes the Shulamite. The Shulamite goes to the garden, and her heart and feelings are churning.
07) The Beloved again describes the physical beauty of the Shulamite. The Shulamite takes the beloved to the vineyards to give him her love.
08) The Shulamite yearns for the beloved. She proclaims the power of love and even calls it “the flame of Yah(weh). She compares herself to a vineyard of Solomon. She urges the beloved to make haste in coming to her.