Song of Solomon 1-8

Possible Purposes for Song of Solomon
1. It's a love story and shows that Christianity doesn't avoid the sexual intimacy
2. It's typological and can give us greater understanding for Christ's love for the church

Romance is in the eye of the beholder
1. I liken you, my darling, to a mare (1:9)
2. Your hair is like a flock of goats (4:1, 6:5)
3. Your waist is a mound of wheat (7:2)
4. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon (7:4)

The Story of ‘Song of Solomon’
It seems this book is a series of flashbacks from the life of Solomon and cherished wife
The flashbacks are not necessarily in chronological order

1. The Wedding Day (1:1-2:7)
2. The Bride remembers the courtship (2:8-3:5)
3. The Betrothal, engagement (3:6-5:1)
4. The Bride’s Troubled Dream (5:2-6:3)
5. The King’s meditation on his bride (6:4-7:10)
6. The Bride longing for her home (7:11-8:4)
7. The Renewal of the vows (8:5-8:14)

Typological value

1. The 1st time the king came, he was feared by the future bride
2. The 2nd time the king came as a lowly shepherd, and was loved by the future bride
3. The 3rd time the king came, again, as himself, and was recognized by the bride

In like manner...

1. The 1st time God came, on Mt. Sinai, He was feared b/c of the law
2. The 2nd time God came, the incarnation, He was loved, as the 'good shepherd'
3. God is coming again, at the marriage supper of the lamb, and will be recognized by the bride