Banner of God’s Love
Song of Solomon 2:4— “…his banner over me was love.”
- The Song of Solomon is a “love song” (1:1-2). There are 177 verses.
- Some form of the word “love” is found 66 times (once in every 21⁄2 verses)!
- Historically, it is about a romantic relationship between Solomon and a h•umble Shulamite maiden.
- Jews view it as an allegory of Jehovah’s love for Israel.
- Christians depict it as a type of Christ’s love for His church and the individual believer.
- Combining these two views we may say the Song of Solomon is simply a picture of God’s love for His people.
DIFFICULTIES: No other book has more diverse opinions among Bible scholars as this book. Its poetic structure makes interpretation difficult. First, it not written chronologically—Thoughts, desires, anticipations, reminiscences and dreams are expressed as present happenings. Secondly, sometimes it is hard to discern who is talking (bride or bridegroom). Speakers change abruptly without noting who is speaking.
There are several views of the love story behind this song. Here is one commonly accepted interpretation:
A young Shulamite girl worked in the vineyards of King Solomon. One day Solomon came to inspect his vineyard disguised as a shepherd. During his visit he was instantly attracted to this beautiful Shulamite girl. A romantic relationship ensued between them. However, the Shulamite was unaware Solomon’s true identity.
Throughout the book they express their love for each other…
- 1:2 …thy love is better than wine.
- 1:15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes.
- 2:2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
- 2:5 …I am sick of love.
- 7:6 How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights
After a season Solomon leaves, but promised to return.
Finally, one day she hears a procession of chariots. She wonders,
“Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense…?” (3:6).
The cry is passed along, “Behold, King Solomon is coming!” Then someone tells her, “King Solomon is asking for you!”
Then she recognizes his voice, “The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills…” (2:8-10). King Solomon is actually her shepherd lover who has returned to take her away. “My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.” (Picture of the rapture?)
In our text she joyfully describes what it was like to be taken from the vineyards into Solomon’s palace.
- The BRINGING into His company (“He brought me…”)
This Shulamite could never have come into His presence if he had not brought her (cf. 1:4).- Only Christ can bring you into God’s banqueting house(John 14:6).
- No man seeketh after God. It is Christ seeking us to bring us unto God. 1 Peter 3:18— For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.
- The BANQUET that He caters (“He brought me to the banqueting house…”).
PARTIAL SERMON: see PDF for full sermon
