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Books of the Bible |
The author is generally assumed to be Solomon. Other theories do not have substantial support.
Along with being generally credited to Solomon, it is also assumed that it was written early in his reign, before his attachments to his foreign wives led him astray. A date of around 965 B.C. is commonly accepted.
The literal sense of the book is clearly to glorify marriage and love. In a number of ways the book emphasizes the importance of chastity before marriage.
The book uses a literary device where we have a statement of an event then a reflection back to another event, it does not, therefore, appear in what would be a strictly chronological sequence.
Reflections on the wedding day (1 - 2:7)
Reflections during the courtship days (2:8 - 3:5)
Reflections on the wedding day (3:6 - 5:1)
Reflections on adjustment to marriage (5:2 - 8:4)
A final reflection (8:5 - 14)
If set and written during the reign of Solomon this book reflects the highest pinnacle of culture in Jewish society. The kingdom reached its peak during those years in most ways, economically, politically and culturally.
See the outline. There are many different interpretations possible, this is one of the most plain.
The Shulamite; Solomon (the Beloved); the bride's attendants; the brothers (or relatives) of the Shulamite
The book is a combination of the expressions of love within marriage and an allegory for the love that God shows to us. It particularly is used to illustrate God's love for Israel and also the love of Christ for the Church. It is risky to make too many allegorical assumptions from the Song of Solomon because there are not any strong indications that it is to be taken that way. We do best to treat it as a serious love poem or drama with allegorical potential.