• Introduction
1.
Celebrating the joy & security
of committed love in marriage
10 I am my beloved's,
and his desire is toward me.
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2.
The Song of Solomon is truly unique!
Most beautiful & unique of his 1,005 songs:
celebrates passionate love in context of marriage
Courted & married the Shulamite in youth
before political marriages marred his character
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3. The value of studying this unusual book:
The beautiful story of love & marriage
Learn to cultivate true love in marriage
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I. The Beautiful Story of Love & Marriage
A. 1st SCENE Love’s Passion (1:2-2:7)
Solomon & the Shulamite Share Admiration
& Affection
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She expresses her longings & affection
She
says:
Gender specifice pronouns reveal the speaker.
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth:
Refreshing!
for thy love is better than wine.
3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments
thy name is as ointment poured forth,
therefore do the virgins love thee.
Good name:
character,
reputation
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They exchange compliments & praise.
He says:
15 Behold, thou art fair, my love;
behold, thou art fair;
thou hast doves' eyes.
She says:
16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved,
yea, pleasant:
also our bed is green.
17 The beams of our house are cedar,
and our rafters of fir.
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Love grows: she expresses insecurity,
he adds security.
She
says: 1 I am the rose of Sharon,
and the lily of the valleys.
He says:
2 As the lily among thorns,
so is my love among the daughters.
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Love grows in its own time & way.
She says:
7 I charge you,
O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
by the roes, and by the hinds of the field,
that ye stir not up, nor awake my love,
till he please.
I charge you by all things beautiful & tender,
let love grow in its own time & way.
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I. The Beautiful Story of Love & Marriage
B. 2nd SCENE Love’s Promise (2:8-3:5)
The Springtime of Their Love
Was Followed by Anxious Searching
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Their young love flourished
like the spring.
She
10 My beloved spake, and said unto me,
relates Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
what 11 For, lo, the winter is past,
he said:
the rain is over and gone;
12 The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of the singing of birds is come,
and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs,
and the vines with the tender grape
give a good smell.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
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She dreams she cannot find him,
then finds him & holds him fast.
She says:
1 By night on my bed I sought him
whom my soul loveth:
I sought him, but I found him not.
2 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.
3 The watchmen that go about the city found me:
to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
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She dreams she cannot find him,
then finds him & holds him fast.
She says:
4 It was but a little that I passed from them,
but I found him whom my soul loveth:
I held him, and would not let him go,
until I had brought him into my mother's house,
and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
Love includes the challenge of seeking & finding:
up’s & down’s, drifting apart & drawing together,
alienation & reconciliation, confusion & clarity.
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She dreams she cannot find him,
then finds him & holds him fast.
She says:
5 I charge you,
O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
by the roes, and by the hinds of the field,
that ye stir not up, nor awake my love,
till he please.
I charge you by all things beautiful & tender,
let love grow in its own time & way.
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I. The Beautiful Story of Love & Marriage
C. 3rd SCENE Love’s Wedding (3:6-5:1)
After the Royal Wedding,
Solomon Praises the Beauty of His Wife
& She Invites Him into the Garden of Love.
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“Behold King Solomon” & his entourage
with his bride on their royal wedding day.
Friends share the celebration:
9 King Solomon made himself a chariot
of the wood of Lebanon.
10 He made the pillars thereof of silver,
the bottom thereof of gold,
the covering of it of purple,
the midst thereof being paved with love,
for [by] the daughters of Jerusalem.
Honored the occasion & his bride with new carriage!16
Solomon woos her
with passionate praise of her beauty.
He says: 1 Behold, thou art fair, my love;
behold, thou art fair;
thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks:
thy hair is as a flock of goats,
that appear from mount Gilead.
7 Thou art all fair, my love;
there is no spot in thee.
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Solomon says she is a garden,
& she invites him to enjoy her fruits.
He says:
He praises her moral purity!
12 A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse;
a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
13 Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates,
with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,
14 Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon,
with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes,
with all the chief spices:
15 A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters,
and streams from Lebanon.
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Solomon says she is a garden,
& she invites him to enjoy her fruits.
She says:
16 Awake, O north wind;
and come, thou south;
blow upon my garden,
that the spices thereof may flow out.
Let my beloved come into his garden,
and eat his pleasant fruits.
This love is exclusive,
yet free, inviting, giving, & sharing!
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I. The Beautiful Story of Love & Marriage
D. 4th SCENE Love’s Reconciliation (5:2-6:3)
Marital Love Includes Seeking & Finding,
Alienation & Reconciliation.
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She dreamed she did not open
when he knocked; later they reconciled.
She says:
2 I sleep, but my heart waketh:
it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh,
saying, Open to me, my sister, my love,
my dove, my undefiled: His tender, fervent plea
for my head is filled with dew,
and my locks with the drops of the night.
3 I have put off my coat;
Why do you bother me
how shall I put it on?
at the most
I have washed my feet;
inconvenient time?
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how shall I defile them?
She dreamed she did not open
when he knocked; later they reconciled.
She says:
6 I opened to my beloved;
but my beloved had withdrawn himself,
and was gone:
my soul failed when he spake:
I sought him, but I could not find him;
I called him, but he gave me no answer.
The damage was done—
I was heartsick—
All my efforts failed—
No one helped me! 22
She greatly admired her husband
as “the chiefest among ten thousand.”
She says: 10 My beloved is white and ruddy,
the chiefest among ten thousand.
11 His head is as the most fine gold,
his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.
16 His mouth is most sweet:
yea, he is altogether lovely.
This is my beloved, and this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem.
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After reconciliation, she yields herself
to his care with a greater sense of security.
She
says:
2 My beloved is gone down into his garden,
to the beds of spices,
to feed in the gardens,
and to gather lilies.
3 I am my beloved's,
and my beloved is mine:
he feedeth among the lilies.
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I. The Beautiful Story of Love & Marriage
E. 5th SCENE Love’s Captivity (6:4-8:4)
The Two Lovers Are Captivated by Each Other.
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Great King Solomon finds his wife
the prize catch—the perfect mate!
He says:
8 There are threescore queens,
and fourscore concubines,
He praises her
and virgins without number. as his one & only!
9 My dove, my undefiled is but one;
she is the only one of her mother,
she is the choice one of her that bare her.
The daughters saw her, and blessed her;
yea, the queens and the concubines,
and they praised her.
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She invites him into the garden
of love to enjoy her delicious fruit.
She says:
10 I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.
11 Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field;
let us lodge in the villages.
Complimented,
12 Let us get up early to the vineyards;
she feels valued,
let us see if the vine flourish,
secure, wanted!
whether the tender grape appear,
and the pomegranates bud forth: Yes, spring is here,
there will I give thee my loves.
come & taste all
13 The mandrakes give a smell, my delicious fruits!
and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits,
new and old, which I have laid up for thee,
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O my beloved.
Love grows in its own time & way.
She says:
4 I charge you,
O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
that ye stir not up, nor awake my love,
till he please.
I charge you by all things beautiful & tender,
let love grow in its own time & way.
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I. The Beautiful Story of Love & Marriage
F. 6th SCENE Love’s Security (8:5-14)
Solomon & His Bride Express Mutual Love
& Commitment
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he bride expresses
their undying indestructibleFinality!
love.
She 6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart,
says: as a seal upon thine arm:
for love is strong as death;
jealousy is cruel as the grave:
the coals thereof are coals of fire,
which hath a most vehement flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can the floods drown it:
if a man would give all the substance
of his house for love,
it would utterly be contemned.
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Her brothers doubt her maturity,
but she has proven her maturity.
Brothers say:
If she is strong
8 We have a little sister,
in character,
and she hath no breasts:
we will honor
what shall we do for our sister
& adorn her!
in the day when she shall be spoken for?
9 If she be a wall,
we will build upon her a palace ofIfsilver:
she is weak,
and if she be a door,
we will protect her!
we will inclose her with boards of cedar.
She
10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers:
says:
then was I in his eyes as one that found favour. 31
II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
A. Love Has Its Own Way to Grow
Repeated for emphasis:
love grows, it cannot be rushed, pushed,
bribed, demanded, intimidated, or forced
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Love grows in its own time & way.
She says:
7 I charge you,
O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
by the roes, and by the hinds of the field,
that ye stir not up, nor awake my love,
till he please.
I charge you by all things beautiful & tender,
let love grow in its own time & way.
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II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
A. Love Has Its Own Way to Grow
Unselfish character: genuinely seeking
the welfare of other people—
NOT “What’s in it for me?”
Consideration, kindness, courtesy—
NOT “Am I being noticed & pampered?”
Patience—NOT “I want what I want
when I want it” applied to life & relationships
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II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
B. Godly Character Is the Foundation of True Love
Solomon & the Shulamite maintained
godly character in courtship & marriage
“thy name is as ointment [perfume]”
“A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse;
a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.”
“I am a wall”
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II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
B. Godly Character Is the Foundation of True Love
Respect God & each other as made in His image
Avoid conduct which erodes moral character
Coarse, profane, & abusive language
Alcohol, illegal drugs, & misuse of legal drugs
Lascivious dress & entertainment, pornography,
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& fornication
II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
C. Maturity Is Essential
Marriage requires maturity
If a door (easy access, lack of mature character):
“inclose her with boards of cedar” (restrict her)
If a wall (maturity & strength of character):
“build upon her a palace of silver” (honor her)
“I am a wall, & my breasts like towers:
then was I in his eyes as one that found favor”—
a mature man saw me as a mature woman
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II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
C. Maturity Is Essential
Signs of a mature man & a mature woman
Putting God 1st in all decisions
Faithful in public worship, godly in private life
Ready to accept responsibilities as husband,
wife, & parents
Good stewards of money & material possessions
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II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
D. Express Love, Care, Compliments, & Admiration
“You are the one, the right one, the only one”
“All beautiful you are, my darling;
there is no flaw in you” (NIV)
“My lover is radiant & ruddy,
outstanding among ten thousand” (NIV)
“My dove, my perfect one, is unique,
the only daughter of her mother, the favorite…”
(NIV)
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II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
D. Express Love, Care, Compliments, & Admiration
Create an atmosphere for renewed passion
“My lover spoke & said to me, Arise,
my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me.
See! The winter is past; the rains are over…” (NIV)
“One glance of your eyes” took my heart (NIV)
You are an oasis— “Let my lover
come into his garden & taste its choice fruits” (NIV)
II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
E. Be Patient with Cycles of Seeking & Finding
These cycles help love grow stronger
She withdraws like a dove “in the clefts
of the rock,” he coaxes & reassures her of his love
She dreams of searching for him,
a sign of a setback or insecurity—she finds him!
After marriage she had a similar dream:
he sought her, she rejected him, later reconciled!
II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
E. Be Patient with Cycles of Seeking & Finding
Love embraces the challenge of working
to strengthen the marital relationship
Reconciliation includes reflection, inquiry,
self-evaluation, adjustment, & apology
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II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
F. We Must Build an Atmosphere of Security,
Loyalty, Fidelity, & Peace to Have Harmony
Each mate contributes to these bonds of love
Solomon is like an apple tree giving shade
& fruit—he honored her with a banquet:
“his banner over me was love”
Guard lest little foxes “spoil the vines”
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II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
F. We Must Build an Atmosphere of Security,
Loyalty, Fidelity, & Peace to Have Harmony
We work to maintain mutual & exclusive love
“My beloved in mine, & I am his”
“I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine”
“I am my beloved’s,
and his desire is toward me”
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II. Learning to Cultivate True Love in Marriage
F. We Must Build an Atmosphere of Security,
Loyalty, Fidelity, & Peace to Have Harmony
The right atmosphere produces undying
& indestructible harmony of hearts: marital love!
An atmosphere of anger, abuse, intimidation,
manipulation, broken vows, deceit, distrust,
suspicion, & insecurity destroys harmonious love!
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he bride expresses
their undying indestructible love.
She 6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart,
says: as a seal upon thine arm:
for love is strong as death;
jealousy is cruel as the grave:
the coals thereof are coals of fire,
which hath a most vehement flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can the floods drown it:
if a man would give all the substance
of his house for love,
it would utterly be contemned.
46
• Invitation
1.
Celebrating the joy & security
of committed love in marriage
10 I am my beloved's,
and his desire is toward me.
47
• Invitation
2. The value of studying this unusual book:
The beautiful story of love & marriage
Learn to cultivate true love in marriage
48
• Invitation
3. God’s greatest gift of love: forgiveness in Christ!
The gift above all gifts!
16 For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
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• Invitation
3. God’s greatest gift of love: forgiveness in Christ!
We must receive the gift!
15 And he said unto them,
Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that believeth not shall be damned.
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• Invitation
3. God’s greatest gift of love: forgiveness in Christ!
Saints who sin can be restored!
16 Confess your faults one to another,
and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.
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