The Song of Songs by Solomon Analysis - Research Paper Example

?Research Paper An Analysis of Song of Songs Literary Form of Song of Songs The Song of Songs is characterized by the common features of Hebrew poetry. It is full of erotic images and figurative languages (Tanner). In its full 8 chapters, there is no mention of God, so much so that the reason of its inclusion in the Bible is debated upon. However for some bible scholars, Song of Songs is considered as an allegory which has a deeper spiritual meaning which we need to discover (Constable). The allegorical interpretation presents Solomon as Yahweh and the Shulammite girl as his beloved Israelite people. Other scholars views Song of Songs as Israel’s salvation as it has been picturesque in the Chapter 3 of the Bible. It is not foreign in Hebrew literature to represent Yahweh as a lover and the Shulammite girl as Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, the relationship of God and Israel has been compared to lovers, in the book of Hosea 2:19-20, God has told Israel that He would take her as wife likewise in Isaiah 62:4-5 that almost same message would want to be delivered. This paper , however will not focus on the allegorical interpretation of the Song of Songs, as scholars of the contemporary times have presented it from its literal interpretation which reflects the stages or the development of human love. Such interpretation has more value to our current generation which seemingly has thread way from the Christian value of loving and faithful relationship. The Position of Song of Songs in the Bible King Solomon is known for his wisdom which brought him fame and fortune. It made him attractive to women. It was presented in I Kings Chapter verse 11:3 that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. In 1King Chapter 3:4-10, Solomon asked Yahweh for wisdom so he could identify right from wrong. Yahweh was very pleased that for Solomon did not asked for wealth, long life nor death for his enemies but rather asked for wisdom. And thus, Yahweh gave him wisdom and even the things that he did not wish for. However, he had sinned against Yahweh brought by his womanizing. King Solomon defied Yahweh, to the extent of worshipping other gods and idols. At the end, there was no account that King Solomon ever repented from his sins and submitted himself again to Yahweh in the book of Kings. It somehow reflects that Solomon was corrupted by his fame and glory. Thus Ecclesiastes reflects his emptiness and questioning the worthiness of life. Song of Songs which is an account of faithfulness, lasting commitment and fidelity in a relationship was placed after Ecclesiastes to show that hope and love have triumphed over sin and emptiness. Interpreting the Song of Songs The first chapter of the book reveals that its author is King Solomon, the son of King David to Bathsheba. The succeeding verses and chapters illustrate the courtship, engagement, wedding and the enduring love that evolve between King Solomon and the Shulammite girl. Chapters 1:2— Chapter 3:5 beautifully narrates the courtship of King Solomon and the Shulammite girl. Though, the Shulammite woman felt insecure because of her darkened skin brought by her taking care of their vineyard. It is significant to note that in this period of their relationship, the Shulammite woman has been very vocal and was the first to express his longing for Solomon. On the other hand, Solomon expressed his deep admiration for her, as he likened her to Pharaoh’s chariot and to a flower Sharon. The following verses convey the blossoming of flower and the passage of winter, which can be likened to the feeling of bliss that young couples feel on the early stages of a relationship. At the same time, the first few verses of Chapter 3 where the Shulammite woman dreamt of losing Solomon clearly reflects the fear of losing one’s relationship and her search for him reflects her desire in having a relationship for keeps . It should also be noted that the opening verses of chapter 1 is related to the concluding verses of Chapter 8. It speaks of the vineyard and the role of the Shulammite’s brother in a seeming attempt of keeping her integrity as well as the virginity. Chapter 8:8-9 in relation to chapter 1 and 8, personality of a person which includes gender is very important to King Solomon which I think very well represented through Shullamites brother who’s protecting the person along with her dignity as a woman. Seemingly her brothers are contemplating on the possible physical temptations that may come to their little sister. They were thinking how their sister can keep herself chaste until her wedding day. The “wall” is suggestive of a barrier to an opening. The brothers wanted their little sister to grow up as a “wall” to keep her purity until the right moment. Apparently, the Shulammite woman has kept her purity her marriage. Chapters 3:6-5:1 narrate the wedding ceremony that took place. Prior to the wedding, was a glamorous parade of King Solomon and his trusted warriors towards the house of his would be bride. Chapter 3:7-8 is trying to picture out to the reader how he has been very significant as a king during his time. In the parade, it shows how the people recognized him as a noble person and a great leader to his people. King Solomon wore a royal crown which was made by her mother Bathsheba especially for this most awaited event .From the lengthy description of the wedding in this book, we can say that marriage is an important element of a relationship, which is upheld by the Christian community. The physical union of King Solomon and his wife was explicitly narrated in these chapters (Chapter 4:4-5) and speaks of the place of sexual engagement as an important element of marriage life. It is important to note that it took place after wedding ceremonies and within the marriage. This made King Solomon honored that the Shulammite woman has kept her virginity. It is relevant that King Solomon is very sensitive in respecting the opposite gender. Even if as a wife, he is giving the just treatment to women and honors them the way he thinks they should be. He used to compare women with positive attributes of natures that must be protected primarily because aside from the fact that this is a part of God’s creation, nature is where we live. King Solomon must have been very loving and very sweet to the woman that he loves by even comparing her to the nature of clean water, delicious fruits and other things that is very helpful for a human being like him and his people. (Chapters 4:12–15). Solomon praised his bride's virginity .She had kept herself a virgin for the man she would marry. She was like a garden full of beautiful and pleasing plants that was now open to Solomon. The king exalted the bride’s virginity and her faithfulness in keeping herself solely for him. These verses refer to the pleasures of her sexual love, and her “garden” could refer to her vagina which had been kept locked all her life. To this, the Shulammite woman responds in Chapter 4:16 by giving him the choice and what ever the choice that he may choose, the woman is very much willing to give to King Solomon. Chapters 5:2-8:4, describes the early days of their married life. In this chapter, the Shulammite woman dreamt of King Solomon running away from home, seemingly because of the Shulammite woman’s turning down the invitation of King Solomon for lovemaking, unto which she felt guilty. Such instances do happen in a couple’s married life. In Chapter 5:6, where she was desperate to make things up with King Solomon, she searched but could not find him. This verse can be interpreted as the Shulammite woman’s constant fear of losing him. This can be understood in the context that King Solomon had many wives and concubines. We can further connect this fear to the earlier verses where she demand King Solomon to “catch us the foxes, the little foxes that damage the vineyards, for our vineyards are in bloom” (Chapter 2:15). The Shulammite may be referring to the other woman of Solomon and she is prodding him to take bold initiatives of solving the potential problems that may harm their relationship. Foxes are considered harmful to farms and fields as it destroy crops and fruits. In every relationship, there are obstacles and hindrances which pose as challenges but if surpassed by the couples make their relationship sweeter and stronger. This segment in the Song of Songs presents that the relationship between King Solomon and the Shulammite woman is not all bliss but are confronted with temptations and challenges. Chapter 7 carefully weaves the enduring love between the husband and wife. It speaks of the freedom to grow in physical intimacy as a fruit of marriage commitment to one another. The picture of a woman, leading Solomon as an older sibling manifest their desire for public display of affection, which during those time is not acceptable unless it is done with a close blood relatives. It was perhaps for this reason that the wife wished that her husband was her brother. Chapter 8:6-7 ‘Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm, for stern as death is love, relentless as the nether world is devotion; its flames are a blazing fire. Deep waters cannot quench love, nor do floods sweep it away. Were one to offer all he owns to purchase love, he would be roundly mocked’, marks the concluding section of the book. It reflects a reality or the fear of insecurity and probably jealousy on the part of the woman, that she is demanding Solomon to make her as seal over his heart. We need be reminded that love has its angle of jealousy. In Proverbs 6:34 jealousy is used in a context of adultery and it enrages a man. Jealousy is a reality in marriage. However, though the Shulammite woman is hounded by jealousy, it also reflects of her true love, a love that wishes to go beyond the physical pleasures of sexual intimacy. In this chapter, their commitment and love goes far beyond. The couple emerged from their trials successfully .They have overcome the curse of insecurity, and infidelity by their love for one another. The Shulammite woman has asked Solomon to treasure her. She described the love they shared as more powerful than death. No one can purchase love. It is only available as a gift. The affirmation that love is strong as death in verses 6-7 is the climax of the poem. The woman was prepared to be a loyal and faithful wife. Relevance of Song of Songs in Our Modern Life King David snatched away Bathsheba from his husband Uris, which eventually became the mother of King Solomon. However, Yahweh was displeased with what King David had done and so he punished him (2 Samuel 12-13) that there will be deaths among his children by swords .In 2 Samuel 13:23 -34, we learned of King David’s first born son, named Amnion who have lusted and have shamed his own sister Tamar. This has sown deep hatred and caused Absalom to kill his own brother Amnion .King Solomon, is no different from his father, just as his father David have taken Batheba from his husband , and from his brother Amnon who have lusted for his own sister, Solomon have taken so many wives and concubines. They all have sinned and disobeyed Yahweh in the name of lust and infidelity. Lust has driven them to incestuous desire and death to their own kin’s. Lust has driven King David to sin. Lust has driven King Solomon to turn his back against Yahweh. Yet, in the end, these have not given them happiness but emptiness and death. Currently in our generation today, lust and infidelity is very rampant. There are massive crimes of incest and rape. The rising number of children coming from broken homes, the phenomenon of HIV and AIDS could be seen as God’s modern day punishment to humanity because of our infidelity not just to our partners but infidelity from our covenant with God. In this midst, Song of Songs is a helpful guide to our personal relationship with our fellows, lovers and most especially to God. The love that emanates between Solomon and the Shulammite woman, if taken as a separate and independent story apart from King Solomon’s “womanizing” and that of his brother and father King David shows an ideal relationship of man and woman. It reflects the sacredness of marriage, and the place of sexual relationship between husband and wife. The love that exists between King Solomon and the Shulammite girl is a model for premarital, marital, and post-marital relationship of a man and a woman. Sex is part and parcel of human love, which should be reserve for marriage and practice with marriage partner alone. Song of Songs can be very helpful if this book will be use as a private guide for marriage preparation and enrichment. It illustrates how couples can overcome common problems on their relationship. The Songs of Solomon must also be part of the learning process of our youth today who have veered away from the sanctity of marriage. Marriage is an elevation of love to another level. Marriage is unison; an act of uniting two lives into one that leads into yet another level: building a family. Family is the basic unit of the society, thus it must be well-founded and built. Marriage is the foundation of a family and it is in this premise that a functional family that helps to develop and nurture the society, all boils down to marriage. The Song of Songs, though written a historical epoch, thousand of years ago, still serve as a well of inspiration and hope for Christians today. Infidelity and low moral standards have dictated the course of the society at present. Broken marriage and dysfunctional families have shuttered the lives of many individuals that people tend to be more selfish, self centered and individualist. If people will only internalize sincerely, the essence and sanctity of love and life, the world will have more than enough time and effort to think about more constructive matters such as social responsibilities and love of country. People can be more understanding and who knows; even peace in the world can be of a great possibility. Reference Carr, Lloyd. "Is the Song of Songs a Sacred Marriage Drama." Journal of Evangelical Theological Seminar (1979): 103-114. Constable, Thomas L. Notes on Songs of Solomon. Soic Light Publishers, 2010. The New American Bible (Second Edition).New York: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1979. Hess, Richard. Song of Songs. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2005. Tanner, J. Paul. "The Message of the Song of Songs." Tanner, J. Paul. Bibliotheca Sacra. Singapore: Dallas Theological Seminary, 1997. 142-161. Read More