The Song of Solomon
in a Nutshell
The Song of Solomon
in a Nutshell
Embedded Files
in a Nutshell
The Song of Solomon, also called the Song of Songs or Canticle of Canticles, is a poetic celebration of love between a bride and her bridegroom. Traditionally attributed to King Solomon, the book stands out among the Scriptures as a lyrical dialogue between two lovers, filled with rich imagery, longing, delight, and mutual admiration. Though Jehovah is not mentioned directly by name, the book’s inclusion in Scripture speaks to the sacredness of love, desire, and marriage as part of His design.
At its surface, the Song is a romance between a shepherd-like king and a Shulammite woman, recounting their desire, separation, reunion, and eventual union. The lovers express both emotional and physical attraction, portraying the beauty and intimacy of a covenant relationship. The poem is filled with metaphors drawn from nature and the countryside of Israel, highlighting how love, when pure and unselfish, is a reflection of the goodness Jehovah intended in creation.
Beyond its literal meaning, many readers throughout history have understood the Song as an allegory. For Israel, it pictured Jehovah’s covenant love for His people. For Christians, it has been seen as a portrait of Christ’s love for the Church, deep, passionate, and enduring. Either way, the message remains: true love, expressed in faithfulness and mutual delight, is a gift from Jehovah.
Repeatedly, the Song urges restraint: “Do not arouse or awaken love until it pleases.” This call reminds readers that genuine love should be rooted in timing, commitment, and respect, not impulsive passion. The book closes with a longing for enduring love, as strong as death and unquenchable as fire.
The Song of Solomon affirms that romantic love and marital intimacy are not worldly distractions but sacred reflections of Jehovah’s goodness. Whether viewed as a celebration of human love or a symbol of divine love, the Song calls readers to honor love’s beauty, depth, and covenantal strength.
JJ Bowks, ©CDMI
The Bible in a Nutshell Series
The Bible in a Nutshell Series
Hebrew Scriptures
Hebrew Scriptures
(Old Testament Books)
Outline to the Song of Solomon
Outline to the Song of Solomon
I. Introduction and Theme of Love (1:1–2:7)A. Title and superscription – 1:1
B. The bride expresses her longing – 1:2–4
C. Her self-description and request – 1:5–8
D. The bridegroom’s admiration – 1:9–11
E. The couple’s mutual delight – 1:12–17
F. The bride’s celebration of love – 2:1–7
B. The bride expresses her longing – 1:2–4
C. Her self-description and request – 1:5–8
D. The bridegroom’s admiration – 1:9–11
E. The couple’s mutual delight – 1:12–17
F. The bride’s celebration of love – 2:1–7
II. The Courtship and Anticipation of Marriage (2:8–3:5)
A. The lover’s arrival and call – 2:8–14
B. The response and warning – 2:15–17
C. The dream of searching for the beloved – 3:1–5
III. The Wedding Day and Night (3:6–5:1)
A. Solomon’s procession – 3:6–11
B. The bridegroom praises the bride’s beauty – 4:1–7
C. The invitation to intimacy – 4:8–15
D. The bride welcomes her beloved – 4:16
E. The consummation of the marriage – 5:1
IV. The Separation and Reunion (5:2–6:3)
A. The bride’s delayed response and loss – 5:2–8
B. The bride praises the bridegroom – 5:9–16
C. The bridegroom praises his bride again – 6:1–3
V. Continued Praise and Deepening Love (6:4–8:4)
A. Description of the bride’s beauty – 6:4–10
B. The bride’s visit to the garden – 6:11–13
C. Praise of her physical beauty – 7:1–9
D. The bride’s longing and invitation – 7:10–8:4
VI. Conclusion: Enduring and Exclusive Love (8:5–14)
A. The power of love and its strength – 8:5–7
B. The bride’s devotion and maturity – 8:8–12
C. The bridegroom’s final words and her response – 8:13–14
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