OUTLINE OF THE SONG OF SOLOMON
Introduction:
“Nowhere in Scripture does the unspiritual mind tread upon ground so mysterious and incomprehensible as in this book, while the saintliest men and women of the ages have found it a source of pure and exquisite delight. That the love of the divine Bridegroom should follow all the analogies of the marriage relation seems evil only to minds so ascetic that martial desire itself seems to them unholy.
The interpretation is twofold: Primarily, the book is the expression of pure marital love as ordained of God in creation, and the vindication of that love as against both asceticism and lust—the two profanations of the holiness of marriage. The secondary and larger interpretation is of Christ, the Son and His heavenly bride, the Church (2 Corinthians 11:1-4, refs).” — Scofield.
This book “has always been received and esteemed by the ancient Jews as a valuable part of the sacred writings, calling it “the Holy of Holies”; forbidding their children to read it, because of the sublimity and mysteriousness of it, until they were at years to understand it.” — John Gill’s Expository.
Author: Solomon.
A Brief Summary of the Book: The Bridegroom representing Christ, —the bride, the Church.
1) Spiritual communion between the Bride and the heavenly Bridegroom, Song of Solomon 1:1-2:7.
2) The Bride misses her companion and seeks him, Song of Solomon 2:8-3:5.
3) The ardent discourses of the Bride and the Bridegroom on their mutual love and the graces of each other, Song of Solomon 3:6-8:14.
Key Thought: “My Beloved,” the believer’s title for Christ, Song of Solomon 2:16.
Companion Passage: Psalms 45.
Side Lights:
The Heavenly Bridegroom:
1) His love covers all defects of the Bride, Song of Solomon 4:7.
2) He rejoices over her, Isaiah 62:5.
3) He gave his life for her, Ephesians 5:25.
4) He will come to claim her as his own, Matthew 25:6.
The Bride:
1) Loves the Bridegroom, Song of Solomon 2:16.
2) Feels her unworthiness, Song of Solomon 1:5.
3) Has been purified and dressed in spotless robes, Revelation 19:8.
4) Wears the jewels of Divine grace, Isaiah 61:10.
5) Issues the invitations to the wedding, Revelation 22:17.
The Marriage Supper:
1) Prepared by the Father for the Son, Matthew 22:2.
2) Costly preparations made, Matthew 22:4.
3) Invitations to, a great honor, Revelation 19:9.
4) Invitations scorned by many, Matthew 22:5.
5) Invitations include all classes, Matthew 22:10.
6) Neglect of wedding garment leads to exclusion from, Matthew 22:11-13.