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Books of the Bible

Author : Solomon

Time : about 960 B.C.

Summary :

This song is a poem in the form of a conversation about the wonder of sexual love. It depicts the beauty of love between a man (Solomon) and a woman (Shulamith) which develops into a mature undying relationship. Many interpret it as an allegory of God's love for his people or the relationship between Christ and his church. The basic message is the purity and sacredness of love.

It is a kind of love song in which Solomon and Shulamith take turns in singing about their love for the other. There is also a chorus sung by a group of their friends. The speeches and events described do not necessarily follow in chronological order.

Key verse :

"Love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame." (8:6)

Main people : Solomon (the lover), Shulamith (the beloved), friends.

1.
The beginning of love 1:1 – 5:1

a) The wedding day 1:1 – 2:7
Shulamith in the palace (1:1–8)
At the banquet table (1:9–14)
In the bridal chamber (1:15 – 2:7)

b) Reflections on a courtship 2:8 – 3:5
A springtime visit (2:8–11)
The little foxes (2:15–17)
A dream: on counting the cost (3:1–5)

c) The wedding day (continued) 3:6 – 5:1
The wedding procession (3:6–11)
The wedding night (4:1 – 5:1)

2.
The development of oneness 5:2 – 8:14

a) a dream of love refused 5:2 – 8:4
the dream (5:2–8)
a change of attitude (5:9 – 6:3)
the return of Solomon (6:4–10)
Shulamith in the garden (6:11–13a)
The dance of the Mahanaim (6:13b – 8:4)

b) a vacation in the country 8:5–14

(RH)

Author – Solomon
Time – About 960 B.C.

Summary – It consists of speeches in Hebrew poetry. It depicts the beauty and pure love between a man and a woman which develops into a mature undying relationship. Some believe that it shows the relationship between Christ and his bride, the body of believers, which will be consummated at his return. The basic message is the purity and sacredness of love. There are various interpretations, we will give just one.

Passage	Subject
1 v 1 to 8	Song 1: The ardent love and becoming humility of the bride
1 v 9 to 2 v 7	Song 2: Love’s communion and self–sacrificing devotion
2 v 8 to 17	Song 3: Signs of the bridegroom’s coming
3 v 1 to 5	Song 4: His sudden appearance
3 v 6 to 4 v 7	Song 5: The splendour of marriage
4 v 8 to 5 v 1	Song 6: Entering the inheritance
5 v 2 to 6 v 10	Song 7: The first advent call and espousal of the bride
6 v 11 to 13	Song 8: Anticipating his coming
7 v 1 to 9	Song 9: The flowing beauty of the bride
7 v 10 to 8 v 4	Song 10: The bride’s deep longing and ardent desire for the groom’s return
8 v 5 to 7	Song 11: The joy and communion of true marriage
8 v 8 to 14	Song 12: Love’s labour in the future

...exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:13