Song of Solomon 1:1–2: “The song of songs, which is Solomon’s. The Shulamite: Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— / For your love is better than wine.”

July 18th, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

1 Kings 4:32 tells us that King Solomon wrote 1005 songs, and this one is called “the song of songs.” This was THE song, his #1 hit. There are many possible interpretations of the Song of Songs. Some see it simply as a sensuous love song between Solomon and his first wife; while others, especially Jewish rabbis, teach that it depicts the spiritual relationship between God and the nation of Israel. Most Christian expositors understand it to be a picture of the love between Jesus Christ and His church. Some Christians also see it as a biblical guide to married love.

The song’s story is placed in the 10th century BC. Solomon, Israel’s richest king, owned a vineyard in the northernmost part of Galilee, near the foothills of the mountains of Lebanon. While visiting his vineyard, he met a country girl, a Shulamite, who captured his heart. For sometime he pursued her, making visits to see her at her country home, until he finally asked her to marry him. Assuming the story is a picture of Jesus’ love for us, His bride, then this is saying that God pursues us, that we personally matter deeply to Him, and that He desires to have a meaningful relationship with us.

As Paul the Apostle was praying for the Ephesians, he prayed that they would “be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge” (Eph. 3:18–19). The love of Jesus Christ for us is so deep, so rich, so intense that we can never completely grasp the full depth of it.

“LORD, we are embarrassed by Your love since You seem to love us so much more than we show our love to You. Help us to show You love this day by walking in obedience to Your truth.”