A Replica of Solomon's Temple Complex

The First Song 

The song of songs, which is Solomon's. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents. I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.

Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver. While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi. Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir. (Song of Solomon 1:1-17 kjv)

THE SONG OF SOLOMON The Hebrew name of this book, "Song of Songs," remained the same in the Septuagint, and the Latin Vulgate. The Song of Solomon is part of a collection of OT works known as the "Megilloth" (scrolls). The other books that are included in this group are Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, and Lamentations. The Song of Solomon is important in Jewish tradition because portions of it were sung at the annual Feast of Passover. This book of songs was written by King Solomon of Israel (Song 1:1). One factor which substantiates this fact is that ancient Jewish tradition has held that he was the author. Furthermore, the style and vocabulary are very similar to the Book of Ecclesiastes, which was also written by Solomon. All the cities mentioned in the book point to an undivided kingdom, which continued only until just after Solomon's death (Song 6:4).   There are also references to horses, royal luxury, an abundance of wealth, and numerous plants and animals from the area of Palestine, all of which seems to identify Solomon as the author of the book (1 Kgs. 1:27-33). The references to Solomon's harem, which housed his wives and concubines (Song 6:8), would place the writing of the book at approximately 950 B.C.   The Song of Solomon Its been the most misunderstood book in all of Scripture. Perhaps this is because it is the only book of Scripture in which the main plot is about "human love." The interpretation of has book has been a subject of debate for centuries. Some view the book as a literal, historical depiction of pure human love and marriage.   They would suggest that no figurative or allegorical meaning was ever intended. Within this group are those who say that Solomon was only writing a book of profane love and wedding songs which have little or no spiritual value. Another interpretation of the book is that its meaning is allegorical and that all that is said is figurative. Supporters of this view say that Solomon wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to show the Lord's love for Israel and His love for the Church and each believer.   As the "bride" of Christ, the Church and Israel are required to return that love as if bound by wedding vows. The typical interpretation acknowledges the historical setting, but believes that the characters and relationships are typical of Christ and the Church. Some suggest that the speakers are Solomon and the Shulamite woman, a view rarely held.   In contrast, most believe that there are three people involved in the narrative: Solomon, the Shulamite, and the shepherd lover (Song 1:7; 4:7 -15). The historical perspective is of importance in that Solomon and the Shulamite woman are describing the ramifications of pure love, while the shepherd is trying to turn the woman's heart away from Solomon.   It is the emphasis of the shepherd to show that the woman has been taken from her homeland to the palace of King Solomon as his bride, yet she would rather be at home with the shepherd, close to all hat she holds dear. The typical aspect of the characters revolves around the relationship of God with His people.   Solomon represents God and Christ, and the Shulamite woman (as the bride) refers to His chosen people, Israel, and to believers (Is. 54:5, 6; Jer. 2:2; Eph.5:23-25). Finally, the shepherd lover is a picture of the world and its entrapments, which seek to destroy the bond that is formed between God and His people. [Source for Introduction of chapter: Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible KJV edited by Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D. AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN 37422]