Song of Solomon

I. Introduction
   A. Song of Solomon
      1. Example of love poetry
      2. Unique in the Scriptures
   B. A popular Near Eastern genre
   C. Let us consider the book

II. Song of Solomon: The Details
   A. Authorship
      1. Attested to Solomon (Song of Solomon 1:1)      
      2. Song of Solomon's presence in Scripture disputed 
         previously; generally accepted as inspired based on belief 
         that book is metaphor for relationship of God, believer
   B. Dating
      1. Solomon lives around 950 BCE
      2. Time of compilation unknown
   C. Audience
      1. Israel
      2. We can gain much also
   D. Purpose
      1. A description of young love
      2. To honor a legitimate romantic relationship of a man and 
         woman

III. Song of Solomon: The Story
   A. Initial Yearning, Fulfillment (Song of Solomon 1-2)
      1. Introduction: song of songs, of Solomon 
         (Song of Solomon 1:1)
      2. She: desirous of her man (Song of Solomon 1:2-4a)
      3. Others: rejoice in her (Song of Solomon 1:4b-c)
      4. She: description of herself; vinekeeper; wants to know 
         where man is (Song of Solomon 1:5-7)
      5. He: describes location; speaks of how she looks 
         (Song of Solomon 1:8-10)
      6. Others: will make ornaments for her (Song of Solomon 1:11)
      7. She: her reactions to his presence described 
         (Song of Solomon 1:12-14)
      8. He: her beauty (Song of Solomon 1:15)
      9. She: his beauty; their "house"; she as rose of Sharon 
         (Song of Solomon 1:16-2:1)
      10. He: she as lily among brambles (Song of Solomon 2:2)
      11. She: affection for him; description of romantic 
          interaction; his presence, summons to another place; 
          description of evening together (Song of Solomon 2:3-17)
   B. Further Interaction: Dream? (Song of Solomon 3)
      1. She: searches for him in the night; asks watchmen; finds 
         him; brings him to her mother's house 
         (Song of Solomon 3:1-5)
      2. She: description of him, pomp and circumstance on wedding 
         day; either description of Solomon or man described in 
         terms of Solomon (Song of Solomon 3:6-11)
   C. Further Yearning, Fulfillment (Song of Solomon 4-5)
      1. He: description of her; description of love for her, her 
         love; more description (Song of Solomon 4:1-16d)
      2. She: invitation to enjoy love (Song of Solomon 4:16e-f)
      3. He: acceptance of invitation (Song of Solomon 5:1a-d)
      4. Others: encourage enjoyment (Song of Solomon 5:1e-f)
      5. She: he has come; sensual description; he has departed; 
         watchman abuse her; her call of love to him 
         (Song of Solomon 5:2-8)
      6. Others: their great love; why does she call to them 
         (Song of Solomon 5:9)?
      7. She: praise and description of him 
         (Song of Solomon 5:10-16)
   D. In the Garden (Song of Solomon 6-7)
      1. Others: where is he (Song of Solomon 6:1)?
      2. She: in his garden (Song of Solomon 6:2-3)
      3. He: description of her, she as only child; very fair 
         (Song of Solomon 6:4-10)
      4. She: went down to orchard, found him 
         (Song of Solomon 6:11-12)
      5. Others: seek to see her (Song of Solomon 6:13a-b)
      6. He: does not want them to see her; description of her body 
         parts; his desire (Song of Solomon 6:13c-7:9a)
      7. She: picks up on his imagery; his possession of her; 
         invitation to go into garden, have fulfillment 
         (Song of Solomon 7:9b-13)
   E. Conclusion (Song of Solomon 8)
      1. She: Desire that he would be her brother, able to show 
         affection; seal of love; strength of love 
         (Song of Solomon 8:1-7)
      2. Others: speaks of their sister, what to do on marriage day 
         (Song of Solomon 8:8-9)
      3. She: image as city; evocation of Solomon, either as beloved 
         or as description of beloved; she as possession of beloved 
         (Song of Solomon 8:10-12)
      4. He: seeks to hear her voice in garden (Song of Solomon 8:13)
      5. She: begs him to make haste (Song of Solomon 8:14)
 
IV. Song of Solomon: Important Passages
   A. Song of Solomon 2:1
      1. Rose of Sharon, lily of valley
      2. Often used as descriptions for Christ
      3. Should they be?
   B. Song of Solomon 8:6-7

V. Conclusion
   A. Song of Solomon
      1. A celebration of love
      2. Highly metaphorical
      3. Quite stunning
   B. Value as description of relationship between Christ and 
      church minimal
      1. Predominant interpretation in past
      2. Christ and church as husband, wife (Ephesians 5:22-32)
      3. Images not quite designed to describe such relationship
      4. Nevertheless, love of Christ for church, church for Christ 
         not in doubt
   C. Exceptional affirmation of romantic love
      1. Not something shameful in its proper sphere
      2. Marriage relationship to be enjoyed (Proverbs 5:15-19, 
         Hebrews 13:4)
      3. A wonderful book to be used in that context!
   D. Let us gain appreciation for the Song of Solomon!
   E. Invitation/songbook