Song of Solomon 1

Song of Solomon 1:1

I. TITLE (1:1)The song of songs is introduced as Solomon’s; it could also mean “concerning Solomon.”

Song of Solomon 1:2

II. THE SHULAMITE IN SOLOMON’S COURT THINKS OF HER ABSENT SHEPHERD-LOVER AND TELLS THE COURT LADIES ABOUT HIM AND ABOUT HERSELF (1:2-8)1:2-4 The Shulamite is longing for the kisses of her shepherd-lover; then, imagining that he is present, she tells him that his love is better than wine. Comparing his virtues to fragrant ointment, she sees this as the reason why he is loved by the other virgins, but she longs for him to come and claim her as his own. The daughters of Jerusalem will try in vain to follow. King Solomon has brought the Shulamite into his chambers, presumably to add her to his harem, but it was quite against her own will. When the daughters of Jerusalem adopt her sentiments concerning her beloved as their own, she comments that their appreciation of him is justified. 1:5, 6 Unlike the pale court ladies, the rustic Shulamite has spent much time in the sun as a keeper of the vineyards. Hence she is tanned and dark, but lovely. 1:7, 8 Her thoughts wander to her lover. She wonders where he is feeding his flock, where he is making it rest at noon. And she can’t understand why she can’t be with him instead of being a veiled woman in the presence of others, who were, to her, less worthy men. The daughters of Jerusalem sarcastically suggest that she could find him by following the footsteps of the flock.

Song of Solomon 1:9

III. SOLOMON WOOS THE SHULAMITE MAIDEN BUT SHE IS DEAF TO HIS FLATTERY (1:92:6)1:9, 10 Solomon now begins his courtship of the Shulamite. She reminds him of a caparisoned prize filly among Pharaoh’s chariots. He sees her cheeks adorned with choice ornaments and her neck draped with chains of gold. 1:11 Using the editorial we, he offers to enrich her with golden ornaments and studs of silver. 1:12-14 The Shulamite is unaffected by the king’s flattering words and luring offers. She can think only of her lover. While the king sits at his table, she has her own source of fragrancea little sachet of myrrh that she keeps next to herself as a memento of her shepherd. He is as fragrant to her as a cluster of henna blooms in the vineyards of En Gedi. 1:15 Again Solomon tries to woo her, this time extolling her beauty and comparing her eyes to those of a dove. 1:16, 17 But the Shulamite switches the conversation in her own mind, at least, by telling her lover how handsome he is. She pictures the great outdoors as their house, the grass as their bed, and the overhanging cedar and fir branches as their roof. The setting of their romance is uniformly pastoral, not a palace.