Canticles: Solomon's Love Song

[Olde Tymer]

.
Song is commonly treated as a parable that speaks of the love that Christ has for
his church. Well, that approach is unacceptable. I much prefer the literal approach,
to wit: Song as a romantic fantasy.

FAQ: Was Solomon's Song inspired?

REPLY: To my knowledge, everything in the old testament is in there because God
urged selected folks to put specific information into the record.

● 2Tim 3:16-17 . . All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be
adequate, equipped for every good work.

● 2Pet 1:20-21 . . Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in scripture
ever came from the prophets themselves, or because they wanted to prophesy. It
was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.

FAQ: How does this "specific information" you speak of in the Song equip the man
of God?

REPLY: Song has a lot to say about the effect that true heart-felt romantic love has
on people in normal relationships which, I can tell you from personal experience, is
very beneficial for Christians who grew up in dysfunctional homes and/or coming
out of a religion that made them feel guilty about their thoughts and feelings for the
opposite sex.

Buen Camino (Pleasant Journey)
_

 

[Olde Tymer]

.
● Song 1:1 . . Solomon's song of songs.

Solomon penned quite a few songs; something like 1,005 (1Kings 4:32). Whether
he wrote the music too or just the lyrics; I don't know; maybe. He was a very
intelligent guy, but that doesn't necessarily mean he was a musician; nor even that
he could carry a tune; but then he didn't have too. Solomon had a number of
professional singers on the payroll. (Ecc 2:8)

"song of songs" suggests a colloquialism like Sadaam Hussein's "mother of all
wars". In other words: this particular song may have represented Solomon's best
work to date.

In a number of places throughout Song, speakers don't address anyone in
particular. In point of fact, quite a bit of dialogue throughout Song is what's called
soliloquy; defined by Webster's as a poem, discourse, or utterance of a character in
a drama that has the form of a monologue, or gives the illusion of being a series of
unspoken reflections. In other words: talking with and/or to one's self.

We will also be running across places where the soliloquy isn't vocal; rather,
imagined; viz: thoughts.

The Juliet in this musical story is assumed to be a girl called Shulamite (Song
6:13), from the Hebrew word Shuwlammiyth (shoo-lam-meeth') which is
apparently a pet name rather than a real name. It means peaceful; defined by
Webster's as untroubled by conflict, agitation, or commotion, i.e. quiet, tranquil,
and devoid of violence and force.

The "untroubled" aspect of her pet name caught my attention because it strongly
suggests, at least to me anyway, that Song's Juliet didn't lose her composure under
duress; in other words; she wasn't likely to throw a hissy fit when things didn't go
her way.

That's a fitting pet name for the girl because later on in Song, she's spoken of as a
dove; a bird well-known the world over as having a gentle personality.

Personally I don't much care for the name Shulamite because it's not all that
feminine, and it suggests an ethnic identity rather than a pet name; so from here
on in I will be calling her Shulah.

BTW: Solomon's Hebrew name Shelomoh (shel-o-mo') compliments Shula's; it too
means peaceful, which is pretty much the same meaning as hers. However, I don't
really care for the sound of that name either so I'll be referring to him as Shiloh
from here on in. (cf. Gen 49:10)

So there's the star of the story and his co-star: Shiloh & Shua together has a good
ring to it.
_

 

[Olde Tymer]

.
● Song 1:2a . . May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.

A lover's kiss doesn't always have to be mouth-to-mouth. For example kissing the
hand used to be common courtesy in some parts of the world, same as greetings
consisting of kissing on the cheek. However, I think we can safely assume that
Shulah had an affectionate kiss in mind rather than courtesy. A kiss on the shoulder
would suffice for that purpose. That kind of a kiss, though maybe not very
passionate, is at least intimate.

● Song 1:2b . . for your love is better than wine.

That phrase makes better sense when kept with the first half of the verse; which
refers to kissing on the lips.

So; better in what way?

Alcohol, in just the right amount, can soothe people's nerves and improve their
mood.

"He bringing forth food from the earth, wine that gladdens the heart of man" (Ps
104:14-15)

But given the choice, I think most of us would rather be with a lover than with a
bottle because lovers, on the whole, make us feel much, much better than booze. A
lover can make people feel better about themselves too whereas a bottle often
makes drinkers experience a certain amount of self-loathing.

I cannot remember ever feeling like singing whenever I was drinking; but this one
girl I was dating back in the day made me feel so good that I was constantly
humming old love songs that I hadn't thought of in years. Pretty amazing.

"There are three things which are too wonderful for me; four which I do not
understand: The way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the
way of a ship in the middle of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid." (Prov
30:18-19)
_

 

[Olde Tymer]

.
● Song 1:3 . . Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, your name is like purified oil;
therefore the maidens love you.

We're convinced that Song is just as much a fantasy as Mozart's Magic Flute. The
reason being that in Ecc 7:28, Solomon complained that he was unable to find even
one good woman among a thousand. In other words: in my estimation, Shulah was
a daydream; viz: the kind of girl that Solomon always wished to meet, but never
did. She was a girl who only existed in his imagination; and that's where she
stayed.

If you could read my mind, luv,
What a tale my thoughts could tell.
Gordon Lightfoot 1970

The Hebrew word for the "oils" actually describes something greasy, i.e. a paste or
a cream or possibly a wax; or something with the consistency of honey. So
apparently Shiloh's fragrance was produced by something smeared on rather than
splashed on.

The words "purified oil" are from a Hebrew word that actually means "poured
forth". Well; an open container of any strong-smelling chemical would eventually fill
a whole room with its odor.

Shiloh's name-- i.e. his reputation --was like an open container of perfume in an
enclosed room; in other words: everybody knew Shiloh just as Boaz was well
known to be a man of standing in Jerusalem (Ruth 2:1) and "therefore the maidens
love you" likely means that Shiloh was a man that any girl would be proud to be
seen with, i.e. he was very eligible; viz: a good catch.
_

 

[Olde Tymer]

.
● Song 1:4a . .Take me away with you— let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his
chambers.

At this point in the Song, there's been no mention of a married relationship
between the guy and the girl; but that doesn't mean that Shulah's thoughts are
improper, rather, perfectly normal and to be fully expected. I pity a guy in love with
a girl who has no interest in sleeping with him.

● Song 1:4b . . We rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than
wine. How right they are to adore you!

We mustn't forget that a man wrote this song, likely thinking himself it's main
character, viz: the starring role; so of course he'd picture himself the most
irresistible male on the block; and a king to boot. Well; I've seen for myself how
girls react to celebrities.

Good Morning America often has musical groups performing outside in the street
and one particular day it was Enrique Iglesia.

While Enrique was singing, security hoisted a young girl up on the stage and he
began singing his song directly to her. She began choking up and fighting back
tears, and then he got down on both knees right in front of her; all the while
crooning a very emotional Latin love song and looking right up into her eyes.

And then something happened that was just overwhelming. The girl was wearing a
tank top that went down only about mid ways leaving her tummy exposed so you
could see her belly button. Enrique gently pressed the palm of his hand on her bare
tummy while he was kneeling there singing and looking right up into her eyes. She
really lost it then and just about died.

Do you think that girl would have hesitated to bear Enrique's children? I tell you
she would have gladly endured quints for that man right then and there. And it's
not just the cute celebrities that have that effect on young girls.

My son and I attended an Aerosmith concert back in 1998 and I was utterly
astounded at the number of gorgeous buxom young girls crowding security in front
of the stage trying to get Stephen Tyler's attention. I don't know how many of you
out there have seen a mug shot of Stephen Tyler but I can assure you he looks
more like the Witch of Endor than a rock star, but there he was, charming those
girls right out of their better judgment.

So then, we shouldn't be surprised that Shulah said to herself: "Let the king bring
me into his chambers." Young girls were thinking the very same thing about Elvis
Presley back in the early days of his career.
_