1. The Song of Solomon5 Studies Study 2, Songs 1 - 3 7th July 2010
2. Last time’s study on a single slide Study 1, Introduction & Background The superlative name – THE SONG OF SONGS The author and timing – Solomon, probably around 960 BC The pattern – Solomon’s 3 books & the 3 sections of temple The book of love – between Bridegroom and Bride The key to unlocking its content – Judaism (God and Israel), Christianity (Christ and Saints) The characters – almost all dialogue is Bride, Bridegroom or Virgins (>95%) The structure – 12 Israelitish songs (3 – 25 verses in length) The warning – “thou art unto them as a very lovely song... they hear thy words, but they do them not” (Ezekiel 33v32)
13. Virgins (2 verses)1 v. 1 Introduction and Title 1 v. 2-3 Her desire for her beloved 1 v. 4-6 Her modesty and self-effacing humility 1 v. 7 Her desire to be with her beloved 1 v. 8 Exhortation to labour and patiently awaiting his coming
14. Notice the changes in person Song 1 (chapter 1 v 1-8) – The Bride In The King’s Chamber 1v1The song of songs, which is Solomon's. 2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. 3Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 4Draw 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. 5I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 6Look 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. 7Tell 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? 8If 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.
15. Song 1 (chapter 1 v 1-8) – The Bride In The King’s Chamber 1v1The song of songs, which is Solomon's. 2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. 3Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 4Draw 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. 5I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 6Look 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. 7Tell 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? 8If 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. “Kiss” – a token of love (“a kiss of charity” 1 Peter 5v14) “Better than wine” – the intoxicating love of the Bridegroom, connect with emblems? “Ointment” – 165 of its 193 appearances this Hebrew word (shemen) is translated “oil”. Association with oil in tabernacle/temple service and also used for anointing
16. Song 1 (chapter 1 v 1-8) – The Bride In The King’s Chamber 1v1The song of songs, which is Solomon's. 2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. 3Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 4Draw 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. 5I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 6Look 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. 7Tell 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? 8If 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. “Draw me... into his chambers” “The king's daughter is all glorious within [NKJV “within the palace”, ESV “in her chamber”]: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.” (Psalm 45v13-15)
17. Song 1 (chapter 1 v 1-8) – The Bride In The King’s Chamber 1v1The song of songs, which is Solomon's. 2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. 3Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 4Draw 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. 5I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 6Look 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. 7Tell 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? 8If 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 am so black; but [you are] lovely and pleasant [the ladies assured her]...” (Amplified Bible) Bride self-effacing >> “I am black... as the tents of Kedar” “Black” = shachor = ‘dusky’; “Kedar” = son of Ishmael = ‘dusky (of the skin or the tent)’ = goat’s hair curtains, blackened by sun. Indicates persecution (as Revelation 7v16) Virgins exalt her >> “Comely... as the curtains of Solomon” “Comely” = suitable, or beautiful; “Curtains of Solomon” = of the tabernacle/temple
18. Song 1 (chapter 1 v 1-8) – The Bride In The King’s Chamber 1v1The song of songs, which is Solomon's. 2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. 3Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 4Draw 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. 5I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 6Look 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. 7Tell 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? 8If 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. “Fairest among women” – the book is full of superlatives, this phrase is repeated three times (other appearances are 5v9 and 6v1) “Flock... kids... shepherds’ tents” – references to shepherding, as also found in the description of the Bride in both chapters 4 (v. 1, 2) and 6 (v. 5, 6). We are waiting for the Chief Shepherd to appear (1 Peter 5v4)
24. Angel (1 verse)1 v. 9-11 The Bridegroom lovingly praises his bride 1 v. 12-14 The comfort of his love 1 v. 15-2 v. 4 Their joy and loving communion 2 v. 5-7 Longing for the marriage
25. Change to plural voice Feminine Masculine Song 2 (chapter 1 v 9 to chapter 2 v 7) – The Bride In His Garden Retreat 9I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. 10Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. 11We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver. 12While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. 13A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. 14My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi. 15Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. 16Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. 17The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir. 2v1I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. 2As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. 3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. 5 Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. 6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. 7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. Parallels, with change of gender
26. Song 2 (chapter 1 v 9 to chapter 2 v 7) – The Bride In His Garden Retreat 9I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. 10Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. 11We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver. 12While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. 13A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. 14My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi. 15Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. 16Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. 17The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir. 2v1I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. 2As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. 3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. 5 Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. 6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. 7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. “Spikenard” – only appearance outside Songs = Mary anointing Jesus for burial (Mk. 14v3) “Myrrh” – association with death and burial (Jesus: John 19v39) “Camphire” = kopher = ‘a cover’ = also translated “ransom” (e.g. Exodus 30v12)
27. Song 2 (chapter 1 v 9 to chapter 2 v 7) – The Bride In His Garden Retreat 9I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. 10Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. 11We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver. 12While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. 13A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. 14My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi. 15Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. 16Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. 17The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir. 2v1I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. 2As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. 3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. 5 Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. 6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. 7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. Notice the reciprocal love between the Bride and the Bridegroom “thou art fair... thou art fair”. Throughout the book there is deep connection between the sayings of the two “Cedar... fir” = evergreen; “rose of Sharon... lily of the valleys” = quite common flowers
28. Song 2 (chapter 1 v 9 to chapter 2 v 7) – The Bride In His Garden Retreat 9I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. 10Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. 11We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver. 12While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. 13A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. 14My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi. 15Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. 16Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. 17The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir. 2v1I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. 2As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. 3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. 5 Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. 6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. 7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. “lily among thorns” = Bridegroom’s response to the Bride’s modesty (marks her out) “banqueting house” = house of vineyard / wine; “his banner” = Eastern weddings custom “I am sick of love” or NET / NRSV “I am faint with love”
33. Bride (4 ½ verses)2 v. 8-9 Her excitement at signs of his coming 2 v. 10-13 The Bridegroom’s call 2 v. 14 His desire for his bride 2 v. 15 Preparations at his coming 2 v. 16-17 The bride’s response
34. Indicates change in speaker Song 3 (chapter 2 v 8-17) – The Bridegroom’s Call 8 The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. 9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. 10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. 11For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; 12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; 13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. 14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. 15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. 16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. 17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. Masculine
35. Song 3 (chapter 2 v 8-17) – The Bridegroom’s Call 8 The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. 9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. 10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. 11For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; 12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; 13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. 14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. 15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. 16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. 17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. “Like a roe or a young hart” – both clean animals in the law (Deuteronomy 14v5). Both fleet and sure footed. Both also appear together in verse 17 and ch. 8 v. 14. Link with miraculous healing in kingdom, see Isaiah 35v6 “lame man leap as an hart” “The voice... behind our wall... through the lattice” – the Bridegroom begins to reveal himself to the Bride, but still separated
36. Song 3 (chapter 2 v 8-17) – The Bridegroom’s Call 8 The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. 9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. 10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. 11For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; 12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; 13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. 14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. 15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. 16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. 17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. “Rise up... the winter is past... flowers appear... arise” – language of resurrection/revival “Dove” – 31 references to dove in scripture, 6 in Song of Songs. Clean bird in law, used in sacrifice (Leviticus 5v7: “pigeon” = dove). Purity and innocence (Psalm 55v6-8). Most important in context of Songs is they have a single mate for life, not forsaken until death “Foxes” – used in Ezekiel 13v4 to symbolise false prophets. They spoiled Israel’s vine
37. Song 3 (chapter 2 v 8-17) – The Bridegroom’s Call 8 The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. 9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. 10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. 11For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; 12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; 13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. 14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. 15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. 16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. 17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. “Until the day break...” – also appears in Songs ch. 4 v. 6. “Break” in Hebrew literally means ‘breathes’, breathing life into new day. NET: “Until the dawn arrives...” “The mountains of Bether”, bether = ‘section’, ‘part’, ‘piece’. Not a literal mountain, links back to dividing of an animal for ‘cutting a covenant’ (only other appearances of this word are in this context: Genesis 15v10, Jeremiah 34v18-19)
38. Some brief conclusions A lot of instruction can be gained through simply understanding the different speaking parts. Watch out for Introductions Changes in gender Use of plural / singular The use of particular plants and animals is very deliberate (and enlightening) Embedded throughout the Songs is a description of Christ (both his first and second coming)
