What is the Song of Songs?

Answer 1

A:Song of Songs, also known as Song of Solomon, is believed to have originally been an operetta. Although this poem is attributed to Solomon, the language and style indicate that it was actually written after the end of the Babylonian Exile.

It tells the sexual experiences and thoughts of a black woman, but seems to have no real historical or religious significance. However, some find in it a portrayal and praise of the mutual love of God and his people, or an inspired portrayal of ideal human love. Perhaps a little erotica helped keep the faithful interested.

Verse 2:4 suggests that the 'rose of Sharon' longs for love and that this encounter followed a drinking session: "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love." Verses 2:5-6 set the scene for the rest of the story - his left arm under her head as he sleeps, and she tells the daughters of Jerusalem (the throng outside?) not to wake him. She is sexually satisfied, but perhaps this is not the love she pines for (3:1-2): "By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not."

Another View:

The 'Song of Solomon' was authored by King Solomon, the son of King David (see 1:1; 3:7, 9, 11; 8:11, 12). Arguments for references to Solomon as a stylistic device allowing this book to be written at a later period are inconclusive when one considers the fact that Solomon was known for wisdom and poetry (see 1 Kings 4:29-34) which partially substanstiates his authorship here.

This is an unique book in Scripture. It is the story of a young country girl (Shulamite coming from a small village in Galilee) who works the Kings fields and her skin reflects the long days in the sun. King Solomon pursues her and made periodic visits to see her. Finally, he proposed and after much thought by the young girl, she accepted.

This book shows us not only who God is and what He does, but it tells us what God desires for His people. The Song of Songs provides a look at how God created us male and female to live in happiness and fulfillment. People are sexual beings and this book provides an extraordinary variety of expressions of love but also condemns unchaste relations outside of marriage - especially experimentation before marriage.

Because of the explicit language in this book, Jewish sages forbade men to read this book before they were 30 years old - presumably keeping women from reading it althogether. Yet the sexual content within the book is presented in a godly marriage. All who are married or intend to marry should read this book to better understand God's design for marriage.