INTRODUCTION
Song of Solomon is one of the books that have been mistaken by most bible readers who interpret it differently from its initial intended revelation. Song of Solomon is a book that speaks of true and pure love that a married couple shows to each another. Most people take it literally to show the blossoming love life between Solomon and the queen of Sheba. Even though that was the context that Solomon used to write the scripture, it has a very different meaning that relates to the love that Christ has for the church, his bride. In this research paper, we shall analyse Song of Solomon chapter three by looking at its literal meaning and the revelation that Solomon sought to bring to the attention of the readers. As mentioned earlier, the passage is literally the love relationship between the queen of Sheba and Solomon. Solomon was the wisest king and his fame had spread all across the world. Among the many people that came to behold and partake of Solomon’s wisdom was the queen of Sheba, which led to a blossoming love between the two.
In analysing the text, we shall look at the events that had just taken place before the writing of the scripture, and the audience that the passage was directed to. The analysis will also look at some of the words used and analyse each verse to ensure a detailed overview. We shall also be using some of the scriptures in other passages of the bible that relate to the scripture in order to bring out the appropriate meaning. We shall also look at the context in which the passage was written and why it was necessary for Solomon to use the approach. Song of Solomon one of the easiest passages to read in the bible as most people can relate to the topic. The language used is also simple and interesting and if understood well in its context, it remains the most fundamental passages that God uses to express the love he has for the church.
BACKGROUND
The title of the book is derived from the author of the book and the fact that it was a song. The original Hebrew translations call it the song of song, to emphasize on what the passage is all about. Solomon wrote the passage during his reign as king of Israel, which is between 971 and 931 BC. The audience of the passage was the Israelites, considering the fact that Solomon was their king by then. There is a repeat mention of the daughters of Jerusalem, which is also significant in knowing who the audience of the passage were. The beloved was wallowing in a love relationship that made her unsettled. She hence cautioned other women, the bride of Christ, not to consider the way of salvation if they are not ready to pay the price. It is ironical that she describes how the love satisfy her, yet cautions other against it. This is just to inform the church that once they are into the love, they will never be settled until when they accept and do the will of the master.
It should be noted that Solomon had so many wives and concubines, yet they never brought him the satisfaction like the beloved offered unto him. after enjoying and feeling the love, he decided to write a book about his beloved. This is also significant of the relationship that Christ shares with the church. A Christian believer may have many other things on the side that can promise her satisfaction and fulfilment, yet all this are in vain, if they do not find and embrace the love that Christ has for them. On the other hand, God craves for the relationship of man and his fellowship. That is why he sent his only son to die for the sins of mankind and mend the broken relationship that existed between them. Despite the fact that God has other creatures that give glory to His name, he craves for constant fellowship with man. He will therefore run after man, through all directions until when he gets his undivided and constant fellowship.
CONTEXT
- Love relationship between the lover and the beloved (God and the church)
The lover and the beloved show a unique attraction towards each other. This is significant of the relationship that God desires to have with the church. The beloved seems to be unsettled without experiencing the love of her lover. There is a constant craving for attention from the beloved as she finds satisfaction and solace in her lover. The same way, the church can only find contentment by accepting and appreciating the love that God showers unto them. Once a believer accepts Christ and walks according to His will, he enjoys the blessings of Christ.
- The physical aspects of the lovers that make them get attracted to each other (deep fellowship)
There are a number of physical aspects that have been described in the chapter that signify the attraction that the lovers have towards each other. This implies that for God to be pleased with the church, he looks at their conduct. God loves to be worshipped and adored, given priority in everything and above all, enjoys prolonged fellowship with man. On the other hand, there are also some aspects of God that attracts the church to Him. This included his love, mercy and grace that he supplies without measure. As the church shows such affection to God, he reveals his nature unto them and hence making the relationship to blossom.
- The reaction of friends on the love relationship of the lover and beloved (Christian witnesses)
The relationship between God and the church has a witness, just like any other relationship. The witness could be the church itself or the nonbelievers. The way they react to the relationship will prove how much investments they make into it. In the context, friends are pleased with how the love and the beloved are relating and at times filled with jealousy of them. It is important for the church to live a life that is worth of God’s will, which will in turn attract other people to the relationship. God has called the church as witnesses of his goodness. This hence implies that the more praises we shower to the maker and testify of his goodness, we preach his message to other people who will also desire to be part of the relationship.
- The efforts that the lover and the beloved put in to ensure the success of their relationship (continued fellowship through prayer and reading the word)
Just like any relationship, the church is commanded to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. This implies that it takes a lot of effort for the love relationship to blossom. In chapter three, we realise that the beloved, church, had lost the affection that it had for the lover, God, and is once longing for it. God will hence work at creating a spiritual void within a believer, who will in turn search for its fulfilment. One the affection was lost, the beloved was not settled, and she could not sleep and went out at night in search of the beloved. Once she found him, he would never let him go. This are hence the efforts that a believer need to apply everyday to ensure that the fellowship and reunion he has with the make is not lost.
- The longing within the lover and the beloved to be together (spiritual hunger and thirst for righteousness)
Through out the book of Solomon, you can feel the longing that the two lovers have for each other. Each one feels empty without each other because of the nature they were created. Man was mainly created to worship God and have fellowship with him. This implies that man will never find any satisfaction or fulfilment unless he has constant fellowship with God. In his commandments to Moses, God said that he is the only God and therefore man should love him with all his strength, mind and might. Man is the only creature that was created for worship and he will hence create that hunger within man to always seek and worship him. We realise that man and God are always seeking each other’s fellowship, the moment they find it, it marks an end to their search as they enjoy ministering to one another.
The irreplaceable nature of the affection the two lovers have for each other. (Jesus the only way to salvation)
Despite some of the drifts that the beloved makes from her lover, she cannot find a replacement. She tries other things but realises that there is nothing that can cause and bring her the satisfaction that the lover brings, this reveals the unique relationship between God and man, which cannot be replaced by any material gain or any other human relationship. It is therefore important for man to put God first in everything and not try to replace his affection with other material things. This is because the love that God has for the church is unconditional and unchanging. This is why the beloved could still find her lover after drifting away and get the satisfaction that she needs.
STRUCTURE
Verse 1
Upon my bed by nightI sought him whom my soul loves;I sought him, but found him not;I called him, but he gave no answer.
Here, the search for the love begins, it signifies the strained relationship that existed between the beloved, church, and the lover, God. The beloved was uncomfortable and as craving for a love that had vanished from her life.
Verse 2“I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares;I will seek him whom my soul loves.” I sought him, but found him not.
The beloved could not handle the void and emptiness in her heart, which prompted her to go out searching for him. he however searched for him in the wrong places and did not therefore find him.
Verse 33 The watchmen found me, as they went about in the city.“Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”
The beloved went about asking if anybody knew about the love that would satisfy her heart, but seems like she found no answer.
Verse 44 Scarcely had I passed them,when I found him whom my soul loves.I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
After her long search in wrong places, she finally found him. Christ met her on the way of her search. This means that God will always reveal himself to those who search for him diligently.
Verse 55 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the hinds of the field,that you stir not up nor awaken love until it please.
After the hustles of finding the love of her heart, the beloved sounds a warning to other believers never to let go off the love of Christ. Once they have received the knowledge of his saving grace and tasted it, it will be impossible to live without Him.
Verse 6
6 What is that coming up from the wilderness, like a column of smoke,perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant powders of the merchant?
In this verse, the beloved has finally found the love of her heart is now mesmerized at the blessings she is enjoying. The journey from the wilderness signifies a change from dryness to abundance. The sweet smell from myrrh and frankincense is the peace that the beloved is about to receive from God.
Verse 77 Behold, it is the litter of Solomon!About it are sixty mighty men of the mighty men of Israel,
Solomon here is the representation of Christ, who has come with a package that will ensure the believer is protected from any form of evil. The beloved can now rest assured that all her needs are met, through the arrival of Christ in the heart.
Verse 88 all girt with swords and expert in war,each with his sword at his thigh, against alarms by night.
When Christ is given a place in the heart of mine, he sends angels who are well equipped to handle the needs of each believer. This is an emphasis of the protection that a believer will get once God has His place in their hearts.
Verse 9
King Solomon made himself a palanquin from the wood of Lebanon.
Christ comes for his bride riding on a chariot, which is significant of victory. Chariots were used to fight and had the power to jump over any obstacle. This is an assurance of a victorious life for believers who prioritize Christ in their lives.
Verse 10He made its posts of silver, its back of gold, its seat of purple;it was lovingly wrought within by the daughters of Jerusalem.
A vivid description of the chariot is given here by the beloved, which is also a way of witnessing to other believers and nonbelievers. The chariot was made to perfection and with the most precious materials of the time.
Verse 11Go forth, O daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon,with the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, on the day of the gladness of his heart.
The verse is an encouragement to other believers and nonbelievers to also join in the banquet. She encourages them to give praises and adoration to him so that they also become partakers of His flawless love. This is a call for salvation on the multitude, they should take advantage of the fact that the Lord is near them and not waste the opportunity of welcoming Him into their hearts.
COMMENTARY: phrase and word meaning
Gave no answer: withdrawn His manifestation of love
The city: the church or gathering of believers
Streets and squares: everywhere, through prayer and reading the word
Watchmen: church ministers and preachers
Found him: Christ met her
Mother’s house: the gathering and unity of believers
Conceived me: the church that mentored her to the ways of Christ
Wilderness: place of emptiness
Litter: place of fellowship and reunion with Christ
Solomon: Christ
Crown: worship and praises
Wedding: reunion of Christ to believers
CONCLUSION
The passage is all about the love that Christ feels for the church and the blessings that await those who diligently seek him. The verse also speaks of the role that the church, other believers play in strengthening their love for Christ. After accepting Jesus in their hearts, it is important for a Christian believer to find a place where he or she can constantly fellowship with other believers for strength. There is also an emphasis on the importance of testifying Christ to others and encouraging them to also be partakers of the same grace. The great commission that Christ had for his disciples was to go into the world and make disciples. Believers are therefore encouraged to tell of the goodness of the Lord and encourage other believers to accept Christ.
Bibliography
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Murphy, Roland Edmund, and Samuel Deàn McBride. The Song of songs: a commentary on the Book of Canticles or the Song of Songs. Vol. 22. Fortress Press, 1990.
PRIGGE, Margrit. The Song of Solomon. Lulu. com, 2009.
Rappoport, Angelo Solomon. Myth and legend of ancient Israel Vol. 1. The Gresham publishing company, ltd., 1928.
Richard S. Hess, “Non-Israelite Personal Names in the Book of Joshua,” Catholic Biblical Quarterly (58) 205-214.
Sasson, Victor. "King Solomon and the dark lady in the Song of Songs." Vetus testamentum (1989): 407-414.
