Song of Solomon

1. What do you see in this book that tells you about the original reader?
   
   
   Song of Solomon could have either have been written to Solomon as story to learn from or to a group of other people heeding caution to the dealings of relationships.
   The first is the most likely assumption and the text seems to back that argument. In chapter 6:8-9 it says, “Even among sixty queens and eight concubines and countless young women...” alluding to the fact that Solomon had many women in his life, and in 3:6-10 it talks all about Solomon's carriage and army.
   Knowing that Solomon had a problem with women it was extremely likely that the book was written to him to show the value of marital relations between one woman and reminding him of the command God had given about marriage, specifically intermarrying with pagan women.
   
   
2. What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?
   
   
   The author is mosy likely someone who is close to him and knows him well. They probably have more authority to step out and say something that “in your face”. But they must care for him and long to see him living a more righteous life.

The author is very familiar with the outdoors and ways of shepherding, always equating the woman to the likeness of things in nature. He also knows about the buildings and lands, “Your neck is as beautiful as the tower of David...” (4:4), “...a well of fresh water streaming down from Lebanon's mountains”(4:15), “You are beautiful my darling, like the lovely city of Tizrah. Yes, as beautiful as Jerusalem” (6:4), “Your nose is as fine as the tower of Lebanon overlooking Damascus. Your head is as majestic as Mount Carmel...” (7:4)

3. What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the “main idea?”

The main theme of this book is portraying the beauty of sexual intimacy the way God created it to be. Yes, it speaks to Solomon, trying to show him the value in intimacy with one woman, but even now, it speaks volumes to the initial creation God intended.Talk of sweet smelling fragrances and perfumes is repeated a lot (4:10-11, 5:5, 5:13) and this would make sense that they talk about spices and fragrances, because people during this day would have been really smelly- working in the fields, with the animals, walking, battling, etc. all the time and not showering very frequently. Perfumes and good smelling things would have been used for the best of occasions.

We see the caution “Do not awaken love before it's timing” three times in the text. (2:7, 3:5, 8:4) We also see a progression of the knowledge of the possession they have of each other. In 2:16 it says, “My lover is mine and I am his” in 6:3 it says, “I am my lover's, and my lover is mine”, and the third is in 7:10, “I am my lover's and he claims me as his own.”

One sentence- A poetic analogy depicting the beauty and purpose of God ordained love through marriage.

4. What is the primary reason this book was written?
   
   
   This book was written to show the beauty and perfection of what God created sexual intimacy and marriage to be- a monogomus, intimate commitment. It shows the real thing, the purpose of marriage- walking through the good and the bad and enjoying the beautiful intention.
   It also shows the beauty of the relationship that God has with us- He is a jealous lover, wanting for Him to be the only thing we set our eyes on and we truly worship and adore.
   
   
5. What does this book show about the character and nature of God?
   
   
   He doesn't condemn wrongdoings but is gracious and merciful; He shows the correct way for things to be done- marriage between only two people and the purpose of sexual relations. Solomon definitely wasn't a good example of this, but God's redemption and bigger plan is so amazing. He creates beautiful things, but they must be done the way He intended for them to be done.
   He also shows that He is an amazing, passionate lover, deeply after the depths of our heart and souls. We can possibly view the “don't awaken love before it's timing” as a caution to us to be madly in love with Him and not to awake earthly love and passion until we are so grounded and lost in HIS love.
   
   
6. What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?
   
   
   If we look at the book from the interpretation of it being all about God we could say that in Chapter 8:6, Love is as strong as death.. Jesus is love. Love is stronger than death. Jesus defeated the grave.
   In general, looking at it from that perspective it's all about the ultimate pursuit of love. We are the virgin bride, God is the bridegroom, he is coming for us and we will be in perfect union with Him for ever more. Even in the depths and valleys of life we have a constant companion to lean on and overcome all things with. (8:5)

7. Personal Application:

Where is my love? Is it in earthly things or is it set on the Maker of heaven and earth? Am I waiting in anticipation for my earthly lover or and I madly in love with my Creator? In all reality I can't even learn how to love another person until I know how to love Jesus and receive HIS unrelenting love. My focus needs to be on Jesus, receiving love from Him and learning how to love in return.

8. Point of Passion: Family.
   
   
   The beauty of marriage-the foundation of every family. We can learn a lot about the intricacies and purposes of marriage in this book. In 2:15 it says, “Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming.” Foxes were the rodents of the vineyard, this could be seen as an analogy for the little things in life that destroy relationships. There are often so many little things in relationships that we just let go by the way side and don't actually deal with but the little things turn into big things and ruin the beauty of love. So deal with the little things, no matter how small they seem. Rid them from the vineyard of love so that what has been built will not be destroyed by something that could so easily be rid of.