Song of Songs

Before getting started, I need to make a preliminary comment on interpretation. This book is frequently interpreted as an allegory. For example, some would argue that this book describes God's love for Israel or His love for the Church. The primary problem with this interpretation is that there is no indication in the text that this is an allegory. The only cause for viewing it as an allegory is to be able to explain the very physical and sexual nature of the book. I believe that this book is best interpreted at face value for what it is. Love poetry.

Authorship and Audience

Based on Song of Songs 1:1, this book was written by Solomon. He is mentioned throughout the book (1:5; 3:7, 3:9, 3:11; 8:11, 8:12) and the poem probably describes his first romance before his sinful, polygamous escapades which occurred later in his life (11:3). As far as the audience of the book is concerned, this book was most likely written as one of Solomon's many songs (1 Kings 4:32) which he shared with the nation of Israel.

Date and Historical Context

Assuming Solomonic authorship, Solomon's reign is the backdrop for this book (1 Kings 1 - 11 which spanned from 971 to 931 B.C.). That being said, the book has no connection with 'historical' events other than a few points in Solomon's life.

Literary Context

If we are to interpret this book literally, this book is very different than the rest of the books in the Bible. That being said, it does contain a lot of allusions to a garden which harkens back to the Garden of Eden where love was first enjoyed. It is often considered part of wisdom literature because it was written by Solomon and has a poetic nature.

Theological Theme

The nature of true love. This book describes aspects of what true, biblical love between a man and a woman looks like.

Observations

• For various reasons, many readers and commentators downplay the obvious physical and sexual nature of this book. God created sex. It is humans who have perverted it and twisted it into something it was never intended to be. This book emphasizes the role of physical intimacy over against "the two distorted extremes of ascetic abstinence and lustful perversion outside of marriage".¹
• This book was and is counter-cultural. In the Ancient Near East, love (and sex) was viewed primarily as a functional means of procreation. This book challenges this view of love by presenting the beauty of love for love's sake. In our day, love is equated with sex and visa-versa. This book argues that love and sex are not the same thing (contrary to what our culture says). Sex is an expression of love to be enjoyed within the realm of a loving, marriage relationship, but the two are not the same thing. Additionally, love requires exclusive commitment (e.g. 2:16), pain (e.g. 5:2-8), and provision (e.g. 2:3-6).
• Notice the many garden metaphors which hearken back to the Garden of Eden.

Notes

1. "Song of Solomon," Grace to You, March 29, 2010, accessed March 24, 2018, https://www.gty.org/library/bible-introductions/MSB22.