Faith & Reason Nexus

Song of Solomon:

• Author: Solomon
• Time Written: Probably early in Solomon’s life.

Position in the Bible:

• 22nd Book in the Bible
• Holy Bible
• Chapters: 8
• Verses: 117
• Words: 2,661
• 22nd Book in the Old Testament
• 5th and last of 5 Poetical books (Job-Song of Solomon)
• Followed by 44 Books

Observations about Song of Solomon:

• Solomon mentioned 7 times in the book.
• A love song abounding in metaphors and oriental imagery.
• Arranged like scenes in a drama.
• Three main speakers: the bride (a Shulamite girl), the king (Solomon), and a chorus (daughters of Jerusalem).
• Solomon’s harem had 700 queens, 300 concubines, with more to be chosen.

Themes in Song of Solomon:

• Depicts the wooing and wedding of a shepherdess by King Solomon.
• Explores the joys and heartaches of a shepherdess with King Solomon.
• Considered the greatest of Solomon’s songs.
• Alludes to 21 species of plants, 15 species of animals, and 15 geographical locations from Lebanon to Egypt.

Notable Details:

• “Shulamite” possibly derived from the town of Shunem.
• 49 words appear in Song of Solomon that are not found anywhere else in the Bible.
• Explores dimensions of love: attraction, desire, companionship, pleasure, union, separation, faithfulness, praise.