Precept Austin

Song of Solomon Commentaries

Updated: Sun, 01/21/2024 - 12:17 By admin

ECCLESIASTES ISAIAH

SONG OF SOLOMON RESOURCES
Commentaries, Sermons, Illustrations, Devotionals

Introduction: The discerning reader should be aware that many of the commentaries on Song of Solomon interpret this book allegorically (See Interpretative Approach). The "danger" is that allegory searches for a hidden spiritual meaning that transcends the literal sense of the sacred text. For example, the respected commentator Matthew Henry (1662-1714) states that the Song of Solomon "is an allegory" and goes on to add "that after the title of the book (Song of Solomon 1:1) we have Christ and His church, Christ and a believer, expressing their esteem for each other." This is not the literal, natural meaning but an allegorical interpretation which begs the question of whose "allegory" or hidden meaning is correct, a problem which is not faced when one interprets the text literally. Commentaries that take a predominantly allegorical approach to the Song of Solomon are (with a few exceptions) not included in this list.

It is also notable that there is a paucity of preaching on this book. I have tried to include sermons that interpret the text literally, but as I read through or listened to these sermons (a sampling), there were frequent points of disagreement. Therefore be very discerning as you read/listen to sermons on the Song of Solomon. For example, out of my respect for the "prince of preachers" all of Spurgeon's sermons are included even though they are predominantly non-literal.


Babylonian love poem, eighteenth century BC:
“My beloved knows my heart
My beloved is sweet as honey
She is as fragrant to the nose as wine
The fruit of my feelings.”

CHART SUMMARY
of the Song of Songs

SONG OF SOLOMON
Union and Communion
The Courtship
(Falling in Love)
Song 1:2-3:5		 The Wedding
(United in Love)
Song 3:6-5:1		 The Maturing Marriage
(Struggling and Growing in Love)
Song 5:2-8:14
Fostering
of Love		 Fulfillment
of Love		 Frustration
of Love		 Faithfulness
of Love
Falling
in Love		 United
in Love		 Divided
in Love		 Devoted
in Love
Cultivating
Love		 Acclaiming
Love
Courtship
Before the
Marriage		 Procession for and Consummation of the Marriage The Honeymoon
is Over!
Song 5:2-6:13		 The Marriage Deepens
Love Matures
Song 7:1-8:14
Chief Speaker:
The Bride
("Darling")		 Chief Speaker:
The Groom
("Beloved")		 Chief Speaker:
Both		 Chief Speaker:
"Duet"

Theme - The joy and intimacy of love within a committed marriage covenant.
Song of Solomon foreshadows Christ, the Bridegroom's relationship with His Bride, the Church.
(Eph 5:32-note, Rev 19:7-8-note)
Date - Circa 950-965BC
Time Period estimated at about 1 year
Before Solomon plunged into gross immorality and idolatry
(Compare only 140 women in Song 6:8-note with 1Ki 11:1-4, 5-7, 8, 9-10)
Adapted from Charles Swindoll's book chart

SONG OF SOLOMON
Commentary
Literal Interpretation
Bruce Hurt, MD

SONG OF SONGS
Verse by Verse

DANNY AKIN
SONG OF SOLOMON

BIBLE.ORG RESOURCES

Resources that Reference Song of Solomon
Hint: Do a "control + find" when you open a "hit" and search Song as well as the full name.
This may take some practice but is guaranteed to yield some "gems"!
Recommended

BRIAN BELL
Sermon Notes

He tends to interpret the text literally.

In his introduction Bell says "Some say Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes for the Inquiring Mind, Proverbs for the Obedient Will and Song of Solomon for the Loving Heart! Which is better? – Neither one! – We need all 3 for a balanced life!"

CAMBRIDGE BIBLE FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
Commentary on Song of Solomon

Interprets the text literally.

ADAM CLARKE
Commentary

Clarke interprets the text literally.

LLOYD CARR
Audio - 4 Introductory Lectures

These audios are by Lloyd Carr who is also the author of a respected commentary on The Song of Solomon in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series (#2 ranked commentary in list of "Commentary Recommendations" below).

Rosscup writes that "This commentary is well-respected. Carr, evangelical, is very learned, using scholarly sources, yet lucid in his lengthy introduction, statement of theme (two people celebrating a literal love relationship), and verse by verse commenting, He often has something quite helpful."

CENTURY BIBLE COMMENTARY
Song of Songs

Note: Comments are lucid, generally literal and generally verse by verse.

THOMAS CONSTABLE
Expository Notes

Constable interprets the text literally

COMMENTARY RECOMMENDATIONS
Song of Solomon

Mathison writes "It is somewhat difficult to recommend a “Top 5” list on the Song of Songs because one’s inclusion of commentaries in the list will largely depend on whether one takes an allegorical or non-allegorical approach to the book. The list below is based on my own non-allegorical approach to the book.

1. Tom Gledhill — The Message of the Song of Songs (The Bible Speaks Today, 1994). (Amazon) Tom Gledhill’s commentary on the Song of Songs is accessible to any reader, but the fact that it is accessible does not mean that it is simplistic. In fact, in places it is truly profound and insightful. Gledhill sees the book for what it is - a poetic exploration of human love that points beyond itself to the Creator and Redeemer. Very highly recommended.

2. Lloyd Carr — BORROW The Song of Solomon (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, 1984).  Lloyd Carr’s contribution to the Tyndale series of commentaries is a very helpful work on the Song of Solomon. Like Gledhill, Carr takes a non-allegorical approach to the book, and provides numerous insights. Borrow The Song of Solomon : an introduction and commentary

3. Richard S. Hess — BORROW - Song of Songs (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms, 2005). (Amazon) Among the more advanced commentaries written from an evangelical perspective, the work by Richard Hess is probably the most helpful. In addition to careful exegesis, Hess provides insightful reflections on the theology of the book. This is something missing in too many commentaries. Highly recommended.

4. Tremper Longman — BORROW Song of Songs (New International Commentary on the Old Testament, 2001). (Amazon) For those seeking a thorough exegetical commentary, Longman’s work in the NICOT series is a good resource. He approaches the book as a poem (or more precisely an anthology of poems) about the male-female relationship, which itself is analogous to the relationship between God and His people.

5. Iain Provan — Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (NIV Application Commentary, 2001). (Amazon) I have already mentioned this volume in the post on Ecclesiastes. The section of the book on the Song of Songs should prove just as helpful to preachers and others looking for practical application. (Keith Mathison)

  • (C) James Rosscup has the following reviews…

Deere, Jack S. “Song of Songs,” BORROW Bible Knowledge Commentary - Old Testament  - A well-studied conservative treatment following the two character view, Solomon and a woman. He is clear, explains most matters that need explaining, and shows good expertise in the Hebrew word meaning and movement of the book. He develops the beauty of a love relationship as God intends it.

Glickman, S. Craig. A Song for Lovers. Downers Grove: lVP, 1976. - After he wrote his Th. M. thesis at Dallas Seminary in 1974 on “The Unity of the Song of Solomon”, he wrote this. He gives his own translation, paraphrase and practical comments on the love relationship within marriage. The is generally done well.

  • (D) Below are commentaries recommended by the Third Millennium Ministries…

Carr, G. L. (1984). Vol. 19: Song of Solomon: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Gledhill, Tom. (1994). The Message of the Song of Songs. The Bible Speaks Today. IVP Academic.

Hess, Richard S. (2005). Song of Songs. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms. Baker Academic.

Longman III, Tremper. (2008) Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series). IVP Academic.

Longman III, Tremper.. (2001). Song of Songs. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Eerdmans Pub Co.

Longman III, Tremper., and Garland, David E. (2008). Proverbs-Isaiah. Expositor's Bible Commentary. Zondervan; Revised edition.

Provan, Iain. (2001). Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

JAMES DENNISON, JR
Song of Solomon

Structure and Biblical Theology
Northwest Theological Seminary

JOHN DUMMELOW
Commentary on the Bible
Song of Solomon

Literal Interpretation

Introduction: At the first blush we are surprised to find in the Bible a poem on human love. But we must remember that the mutual attraction of the sexes is of God's ordaining. So far from being intrinsically evil, it contains for both parties an immeasurable possibility of blessing. And the love which is here sung is ordered, regulated, legitimate. The imagery is too suggestive, and the description of physical charms too minute, for our taste, but it was produced by an Oriental for Orientals. More reticence does not necessarily imply truer purity. No doubt we should have welcomed a clear recognition of the intellectual, ideal, and spiritual side of marriage, but it would be a mistake to argue that the poet was a stranger to this better part. And such love as Song of Solomon 8:7 describes is based on broader foundations than those supplied by mere sensuous charms alone.

Again, whilst it is admitted that the poem was not meant to be understood either typically or allegorically, all true human love is, in the Apostle's sense of the word, a mystery (Ephesians 5:28-33) which carries the Christian's mind upward to the union of the soul with Christ. Sensuous thoughts and images are never to hold us prisoners. The earthly is a steppingstone to the heavenly. Spenser tells us that, having in the green time of his youth composed two Hymns in praise of Love and Beauty, 'and finding that the same too much pleased those of the like age and disposition, which being too vehemently caried with that kind of affection, do rather sucke out poyson to their strong passion, then hony to their honest delight,' he afterwards resolved, 'by way of retractation, to reforme them, making, in stead of those two Hymnes of earthly or naturall love and beautie, two others of heavenly and celestiall.' In this he is a safe guide”

All the glory and the grace of things,
Witchcraft of loveliness, wonder of flesh,
Fair symmetry of forms, deep harmonies
Of line and limb”are but as shadows cast
From hidden light of Beauty and of Love

It would be a dull eye that missed the beauty of the poem. Its author responded immediately to every charm of Nature or of Art. Above all was his soul attuned to Nature. He carries us along with him into the open air, to the vineyards, the villages, the mountains. He awakes us at daybreak to catch the scent of the forest trees, to gather the apples and the pomegranates, to listen to the grateful plash of falling waters. How he loved the flocks of wild pigeons, the crocuses, the fields embroidered with lilies: His verse is fragrant with the breath of spring. And the soul of artistry within him was moved by the pomp of the court, the magnificence of a royal litter, the glittering whiteness of an ivory tower, the proud display of warriors' shields, the ornaments and costly dress of women. No other poem in the Bible can be compared with this. It still merits the title, prefixed by the men who inserted it in the Canon, 'The Song of Songs,' the most beautiful, the one that most nearly corresponds with the ideal of its class. At the first blush we are surprised to find in the Bible a poem on human love. But we must remember that the mutual attraction of the sexes is of God's ordaining. So far from being intrinsically evil, it contains for both parties an immeasurable possibility of blessing. And the love which is here sung is ordered, regulated, legitimate. The imagery is too suggestive, and the description of physical charms too minute, for our taste, but it was produced by an Oriental for Orientals. More reticence does not necessarily imply truer purity. No doubt we should have welcomed a clear recognition of the intellectual, ideal, and spiritual side of marriage, but it would be a mistake to argue that the poet was a stranger to this better part. And such love as Song of Solomon 8:7 describes is based on broader foundations than those supplied by mere sensuous charms alone. (Read the entire Overview of Song of Solomon - Interesting!)

EASY ENGLISH COMMENTARY
Interesting simple translation and comments

ELLICOTT'S COMMENTARY
Song of Songs

GENE GETZ
Song of Solomon
Life Essentials Study Bible

Click the videos below for Dr Getz's practical points related to the beautiful Song of Solomon

JOHN GILL
Commentary
Not listed as his approach is not literal

--

GOTQUESTIONS
Related to the
Song of Solomon

DAVE GUZIK
Song of Solomon Commentary
Generally Literal Approach

MATTHEW HENRY
Commentary
Not listed as his approach is not literal

--

H A IRONSIDE
A Profile Song Of Solomon A Book Of Love
Generally Literal Interpretation

Rosscup: Many have considered this book one of the most helpful for a lighter, practical exposition. (Commentaries for Biblical Expositors: An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Works)

JAMIESON, FAUSSET, BROWN
Commentary Critical and Explanatory
on the Whole Bible
Not listed as his approach is not literal

--

KEIL & DELITZSCH
Commentary on the Old Testament
Caveat: Approach not always literal

STEVE KRELOFF
Messianic Jewish Pastor
Expository Series on
Song of Solomon
Literal approach
Practical Application

Comment - Although this is only available in Mp3, if you are interested in a serious study of the Song of Solomon, this 16 message series (plus 2 other messages related to "Biblical Marriage") is highly recommended. If you listen to nothing else, take 46 minutes to listen to Pastor Kreloff's well reasoned analysis in his introduction.

The following two messages are from the 9 part series on Biblical Marriage (Click)…

MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES
Commentaries, Sermons, Devotionals

ROBERT ALDEN

BAKER'S EVANGELICAL DICTIONARY OF BIBLICAL THEOLOGY

Song of Solomon, Theology of - "The allegorical method… lacks any external justification. The Song gives no indication that it should be read in any but a straightforward way. The discovery and publication of formally similar love poetry from modern Arabic literature as well as ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia signaled the end of the allegorical approach to the text, but left the church with a number of questions about the theological meaning of the Song. The Song serves an important canonical function with its explicit language of love. Allegorization in early times arose from the belief that such a subject was unsuitable for the Holy Scriptures."

Other Dictionary articles related to Song of Solomon…

WILLIAM BARRICK

KENNETH BOA

BIBLE CHARTS

KENNETH BOA

IAIN D. CAMPBELL

ALAN CARR

G. LLOYD CARR

DAVID COLBURN

COMPANION BIBLE

DONALD E. CURTIS

SAMUEL IVES CURTIS

RICHARD DAVIDSON

JAMES DENNISON

MARK DEVER

MARK ELLIOT

WESTON FIELDS

SINCLAIR FERGUSON

THOMAS FOUNTAIN

TONY GARLAND

GOSPEL COALITION

JAMES GRAY

JOE GUGLIELMO

JAMES M. HAMILTON JR

JAMES HASTINGS

PAUL HAUPT

ANDREW HWANG

HAROLD HOLMYARD III

HOLMAN BIBLE DICTIONARY

DAVID HOLWICK

EDWIN HOSTETTER

ISBE

GORDON H. JOHNSTON

ARTHUR H. LEWIS

J. HAMPTON KEATHLEY, III

HENRY LAW

DAVID MALICK

JOHN MACARTHUR

MacArthur comments on the Interpretive Challenges: The Song has suffered strained interpretations over the centuries by those who use the “allegorical” method of interpretation, claiming that this song has no actual historical basis, but rather that it depicts God’s love for Israel and/or Christ’s love for the church. The misleading idea from hymnology that Christ is the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys results from this method (Song 2:1). The “typological” variation admits the historical reality, but concludes that it ultimately pictures Christ’s bridegroom love for His bride the church. A more satisfying way to approach Solomon’s Song is to take it at face value and interpret it in the normal historical sense, understanding the frequent use of poetic imagery to depict reality. To do so understands that Solomon recounts (1) his own days of courtship, (2) the early days of his first marriage, followed by (3) the maturing of this royal couple through the good and bad days of life. The Song of Solomon expands on the ancient marriage instructions of Genesis 2:24, thus providing spiritual music for a lifetime of marital harmony. It is given by God to demonstrate His intention for the romance and loveliness of marriage, the most precious of human relations and “the grace of life” (1Pet 3:7).

Outline

I. The Courtship: “Leaving” (Song 1:2–3:5)

A. The Lovers’ Remembrances (Song 1:2–2:7)

B. The Lovers’ Expression of Reciprocal Love (Song 2:8–3:5)

II. The Wedding: “Cleaving” (Song 3:6–5:1)

A. The Kingly Bridegroom (Song 3:6–11)

B. The Wedding and First Night Together (Song 4:1–5:1a)

C. God’s Approval (Song 5:1b)

III. The Marriage: “Weaving” (Song 5:2–8:14)

A. The First Major Disagreement (Song 5:2–6:3)

B. The Restoration (Song 6:4–8:4)

C. Growing in Grace (Song 8:5–14)

MONERGISM

JOSEPH R NALLY

Christ in Song of Solomon: There has been a long tradition of relating this book to Christ by drawing analogies between the experiences of the two lovers and the experience of Christ and his Church. In fact, the image of God as the husband and of his covenant people as his wife is also found in the Old Testament (e.g., Jer. 2:2; Hos. 2:14-20). Because Christ claims the Church as his bride (cf. Eph. 5:22-33), one legitimate application of Song of Songs is to realize that the love described in the book is in many ways similar to the love that Jesus has for the Church (e.g. this is the predominant use of the Song of Songs in the Westminster Standards). At least three central dimensions instruct modern readers about the nature of this love: self giving, desire, and commitment. Jesus delights in us and gives himself to us in love. He desires us wholly for himself, and he feels deeply both the pain and pleasure of his relationship with us. Christ gave his very life for the Church and even now devotes himself to her good as a loving husband. The Church looks to Christ for protection and affection; she honors him for his wondrous care and seeks his glory every day. Both Christ and the Church long for the day of their final union, the day of the great wedding feast at Christ's return (Rev. 19:7, 9).

JOHN PHILLIPS

BILL MCRAE

J VERNON MCGEE

MARK MCGINNISS

WILLIAM MOOREHEAD

G CAMPBELL MORGAN

NIV STUDY BIBLE - Borrow NIV Study Bible 

Interpretation - To find the key for unlocking the Song, interpreters have looked to prophetic, wisdom and apocalyptic passages of Scripture, as well as to ancient Egyptian and Babylonian love songs, traditional Semitic wedding songs and songs related to ancient Mesopotamian fertility religions. The closest parallels appear to be those found in Proverbs (see Pr 5:15–20; 6:24–29; 7:6–23). The description of love in 8:6–7 (cf. the descriptions of wisdom found in Pr 1–9 and Job 28) seems to confirm that the Song belongs to Biblical wisdom literature and that it is wisdom’s description of an amorous relationship. The Bible speaks of both wisdom and love as gifts of God, to be received with gratitude and celebration. This understanding of the Song contrasts with the long-held view that the Song is an allegory of the love relationship between God and Israel, or between Christ and the church, or between Christ and the soul (the NT nowhere quotes from or even alludes to the Song). It is also distinct from more modern interpretations of the Song, such as that which sees it as a poetic drama celebrating the triumph of a maiden’s pure, spontaneous love for her rustic shepherd lover over the courtly blandishments of Solomon, who sought to win her for his royal harem. Rather, it views the Song as a linked chain of lyrics depicting love in all its spontaneity, beauty, power and exclusiveness—experienced in its varied moments of separation and intimacy, anguish and ecstasy, tension and contentment. The Song shares with the love poetry of many cultures its extensive use of highly sensuous and suggestive imagery drawn from nature.

 

WILLIAM ORR

GREG W. PARSONS

MYER PEARLMAN

ROBERT RAYBURN

Dr. Rayburn gives 3 messages with both audio and written transcripts…

HARRY REEDER

RELEVANT BIBLE TEACHING

AREND REMMERS

GRANT RICHISON

RICK SAFRIET

RAY STEDMAN

STUDY GUIDE

CHARLES SWINDOLL

Why is Song of Solomon so important? This book remains singular within the Old Testament for at least two reasons: its character as a single poem and its subject matter, particularly the frank discussion of love between a married couple. The Song of Solomon’s willingness to broach the topic of physical love within marriage has made many of its readers throughout history uncomfortable, so much so that Rabbi Aqiba had to vigorously defend the book’s place in the Jewish canon even as late as AD 90 at the Council of Jamnia.2 But as a testament to the beauty of the marriage relationship in its fullness, Song of Solomon stands out with its uniquely detailed vision of this beautiful reality.

What's the big idea? The fullness of the union that takes place at marriage is described in some of the most splendid poetic language in the entire Bible. In a world where so many speak of God’s special gifts with coldly clinical or apathetic statistical language, the passion of Solomon’s poetry refreshes a world thirsty for the truth about marriage. Solomon began his rendering of this relationship with the two lovers in courtship longing for affection while expressing their love for one another (Song of Solomon 1:1–3:5). Eventually, they come together in marriage, the groom extolling his bride’s beauty before they consummate their relationship (Song 3:6–5:1). Finally, she struggles with the fear of separation, while he reassures his bride of his affections for her (Song 5:2–8:14). All of this reinforces the theme of the goodness of marriage. Some suggest the book also pictures in a more general way Christ’s love for His bride, the church.

How do I apply this? From courtship to marriage to the assurance of love, Song of Solomon poetically presents a broad range of events and feelings in the days leading up to and during marriage, offering encouragement toward an enduring love amid the petty jealousies and fears sure to threaten even the strongest of relationships. We should heed the Song’s sublime words by continuing to value marriage as one of the bedrocks of society, appreciating the goodness and the beauty borne out of the union of two people in holy matrimony. Would you consider your marriage a sign of God’s goodness and beauty working in your life, or has it become something less than that over time? Song of Solomon reminds us that both marriage and the physical union that follows originate in God; we should therefore consider each of them as evidence of His grace working itself out in the world.

J. PAUL TANNER

THIRD MILLENNIUM

VALLEY BIBLE CHURCH

JAMES VAN DINE

PAUL VAN GORDER

Introduction - The Song of Solomon is the closing book of the poetical section of the Old Testament. It is probably censured more and read less than any other book. Critics have said it is indecent, and it may appear to be so to the unspiritual mind. Remember, however, that the Eastern people were a passionate people, both in love and hate.

The highest affection known to man is a husband's love for his wife. Jesus spoke of this devotion when He said, ''For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh'' (Matthew 19:5).

Some people say that the Song of Solomon is just a love song and therefore has no place in the Bible. A superficial reading of the book might lead to this conclusion. But when you consider the tremendous truth found in Ephesians 5-- that the union of a husband and wife is an earthly illustration of the heavenly relationship between Christ and His church-- then the Song of Solomon takes on a new meaning. The child of God sees the love of Christ for His church portrayed through the love of a man for his wife. One of the greatest needs of the church today is a deep, personal love for Christ… The key word of the Song of Solomon is ''beloved.'' The key verse is: ''I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine'' (Song 6:3). Let us consider the teaching of the book by looking at several important facets of the love-relationship between the bride and the bride-groom.

BRUCE WALTKE

SHERWOOD E WIRT

EDWIN YAMAUCHI

HENRY MORRIS
Defender's Study Bible

Introduction to Song of Solomon Like the book of Ecclesiastes, the Song of Solomon (also known as “Song of Songs” and “Canticles”) is both fascinating and enigmatic, both providing striking testimonials (as in the book of Proverbs) to the unique, wide-ranging, wisdom of Solomon. Like the other two books, it claims to be from Solomon (Song of Solomon 1:1). Solomon was said to have written over a thousand songs (I Kings 4:32), but this was his “Song of songs!”

The book was evidently written early in Solomon’s reign, long before his many wives turned his life away from devotion to his first love. Although there have been a number of interpretations of this book, the most obvious interpretation is no interpretation at all. That is, it is simply what it purports to be—a romantic love poem describing the love of young Solomon and a Shulamite maiden who became his first bride.

There is nothing unseemly, of course, about a book of the Bible depicting the beauties of pure courtship and marital love. The union of male and female in holy matrimony is intrinsic to the creation itself (Genesis 2:24-25). In this sense, the narrative of the Song can be considered as an idyllic picture of courtship and marriage that might apply, with varying details, to all true love and marriage as ordained by God.

In a secondary sense, the account may also be considered as a type of the love of Christ and His church, the “Bride of Christ” (compare Ephesians 5:22-33; Revelation 21:2; 22:17). This analogy should not be pressed too far, of course, as the book should primarily be studied in accord with its own clear intent, that of describing and honoring the God-ordained union of man and woman in true love and marriage.

STUDY BIBLE
Notes on Song of Solomon

(1) KJV Bible Commentary - Hindson, Edward E; Kroll, Woodrow Michael. Over 3000 pages of the entire OT/NT. Well done conservative commentary that interprets Scripture from a literal perspective. Pre-millennial.  User reviews - it generally gets 4/5 stars from users. 

Very well done conservative commentary that interprets Scripture from a literal perspective   

The King James Version Bible Commentary is a complete verse-by-verse commentary. It is comprehensive in scope, reliable in scholarship, and easy to use. Its authors are leading evangelical theologians who provide practical truths and biblical principles. Any Bible student will gain new insights through this one-volume commentary based on the timeless King James Version of the Bible.

(2) The King James Study Bible Second Edition 2240 pages (2013) (Thomas Nelson) General Editor - Edward Hindson with multiple contributing editors. Pre-millennial. See introduction on How to Use this Study Bible.

(3) NKJV Study Bible: New King James Version Study Bible (formerly "The Nelson Study Bible - NKJV") by Earl D Radmacher; Ronald Barclay Allen; Wayne H House. 2345 pages. (1997, 2007). Very helpful notes. Conservative. Pre-millennial. 

LANGE'S COMMENTARY
Song of Solomon

Comments on Verses at top of page are generally Literal
Comments in Doctrinal, Ethical section are generally allegorical

LIGONIER DEVOTIONALS
SONG OF SOLOMON

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS
Manners and Customs of Bible Lands

Song 1:5 - Tent Material Picture: Tent Material The Bedouin's home is his tent, which is made of black goat's hair. He calls it beit sha'ar , i.e., "house of hair." It is made of coarse, heavy fabric, and serves to protect the family in winter from the cold winds; in the summer the sides are usually lifted, and the tent serves as a sunshade. This goat's hair cloth that is used in making these tents is porous when it is dry, but becomes waterproof after the first rains have shrunk it together. The Song of Solomon refers to these black goat's hair tents thus: "I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar" (Cant 1:5).

Song 1:7 - How Goats Differ From Sheep. Most of the Palestinian and Syrian sheep are white, whereas most of the goats are black. The goats like the slopes of the rocky mountains, whereas the sheep prefer the plains or mountain valleys. The goats are especially fond of young leaves of trees, but the sheep would rather have grass. Goats will feed during all the day without the heat of summer affecting them; but when the sunshine is hot, the sheep will lie down under a tree, or in the shade of a rock, or in a rude shelter prepared by the shepherd for that purpose. Song of Solomon makes mention of this rest time for the sheep: "Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon" (Cant. 1:7). The goats are bolder, more venturesome, more playful, more apt to clamber to dangerous places, more apt to break into the grainfields, more headstrong, more vigorous, and more difficult to control than are the sheep.

Song 2:11 - The Fig Tree A Sign Of The Season - The fig tree (Fausset's Bible Dictionary) shows sign of foliage later than some of the other fruit trees of Palestine. The unfolding of the fig leaves and the deepening of their color is thought of as a sign that summertime is at hand. Jesus made reference to this idea: "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh" (Matt. 24:32; Mark 13:28). The lover in the Song of Solomon indicated that winter was past and summer was at hand because "the fig tree putteth forth her green figs" (Cant. 2:11-13).

Song 4:13 - Pomegranates (Fausset's Bible Dictionary). There are several varieties of sweet and sour pomegranates in the land. The juice of the sour variety is used in the absence of lemons for the purposes of that fruit. The pomegranate was greatly esteemed as a fruit in early Bible times, for it was mentioned by Moses as one of the excellencies of the Promised Land (Deut. 8:8). The Song of Solomon makes mention of the pomegranate fruit, trees, and spiced wine from its juice (Cant. 4:13; Cant. 6:11; Cant. 7:12; Cant. 8:2).

Song 5:4 - The Use Of Keys. (Fausset's Bible Dictionary - Key in Song 5:4-5).The Oriental key of modern times is like the key of Isaiah's days, and most certainly not like the small occidental variety. Isaiah 22:22 says: "The key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder." Dr. Thomson tells of seeing different keys in Palestine that would be large enough to lay on the shoulder of a man. He saw one key about a foot an a half in length. The keys were usually made of wood. The lock is placed on the inside of the gate or door, and to make it possible for the owner of the house to unlock it, a hole is cut in the door, and he thrusts his arm through this hole, and then inserts the key. In Song of Solomon 5:4, the bride says: "My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door." She saw him thrust his hand through the hole, that he might unlock the door and then go in.

Song 7:2 Binding The Grain Into Sheaves. The cut grain is gathered on the arms and bound into sheaves. The Psalmist makes reference to the mower filling his hand, and the binder of sheaves filling his bosom (Ps. 129:7). And Song of Solomon speaks of an heap of wheat (Cant. 7:2), and Joseph in his dream saw "binding sheaves in the field" (Ge 37:7). Thus the cut grain was gathered in the arms and bound into sheaves.

Other books that can be borrowed

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN THE BIBLE

  1. Today's Handbook of Bible Times & Customs by Coleman, William L
  2. Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners & Customs : How the People of the Bible Really Lived by Vos, Howard Frederic
  3. Manners & Customs of the Bible (The New Manners and Customs)  Freeman, James M., 1827-1900 Published 1998
  4. The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times: Gower, Ralph, 1933- Published 1987
  5. Manners and Customs of Bible lands By: Wight, Fred Published 1983
  6. Manners and Customs in the Bible By: Matthews, Victor Harold Published 1991
  7. Handbook of life in Bible times By: Thompson, J. A. (John Arthur), 1913-2002 Published 1986
  8. Illustrated dictionary of Bible manners and customs By: Deursen, A. van (Arie), 1891-1963 Published 1982
  9. The Illustrated Guide to Bible Customs & Curiosities by Knight, George W. 
  10. Orientalisms in Bible lands, giving light from customs, habits, manners, imagery, thought and life in the East for Bible students By: Rice, Edwin Wilbur, 1831-1929 Published 1910
  11. Bible manners and customs By: Mackie, G. M. 1854-1922 Published 1898
  12. Teach it to your children : how kids lived in Bible days By: Vamosh, Miriam Feinberg, author
  13. Everyday life in Bible times : work, worship, and war  By: Embry, Margaret Published 1994
  14. Everyday living : Bible life and times : fascinating, everyday customs and traditions from the people of the Bible  Published 2006
  15. The Land and the Book; or, Biblical illustrations drawn from the manners and customs, the scenes and scenery, of the Holy land  By: Thomson, William M. (William McClure), 1806-1894 Published 1880
  16. Eastern manners illustrative of the Old Testament history By: Jamieson, Robert, 1802-1880 Published 1838
  17. Scripture manners and customs : being an account of the domestic habits, arts, etc., of Eastern nations mentioned in Holy Scripture Published  1895

TOMMY NELSON
Love Song:
A Study in the Song of Solomon
Mp3's

I have not personally listened to his series on Solomon but my son an elder at Austin Stone has listened to this set and found it to be excellent preparation for his marriage.

Click here for this classic series of sermons listed below

  • The Art of Attraction
  • The Art of Dating
  • The Art of Intimacy
  • The Art of Conflict
  • The Art of Deepening
  • The Art of Faithfulness

NET BIBLE NOTES
Includes notes, pictures, hymns

Recommended: NETBible notes while somewhat technical can be helpful and in the Song are more lengthy than NET Notes on many other books. You can also select Constable's Notes (literal approach). As you scroll the the left panel, the notes are synchronized and will scroll to the same passage. This is a very helpful feature.

OUR DAILY BREAD
Devotionals for
Sermon and teaching illustrations
Radio Bible Class

See these devotionals below

  • Song of Solomon 1:1 No Wonder!
  • Song of Solomon 2:10 Say It!
  • Song of Solomon 2:14 Eyes Only For Her
  • Song of Solomon 2:15 Tiny Evils, Big Fall
  • Song of Solomon 2:15 Catching Foxes

REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE
Study Notes on
Song of Solomon

ROB SALVATO
Sermons

C H SPURGEON
All his Sermons on
Song of Solomon
Note: Spurgeon is included in the list but his approach is often allegorical and not literal

RAY STEDMAN
Song of Solomon

DEREK THOMAS
Song of Solomon
Sermon Series

BOB UTLEY
Song of Solomon
Commentary

G I WILLIAMSON
The Song of Songs:

Primarily Literal Interpretation

Series on the Song of Solomon - seems to focus on the literal aspects and intimacy in marriage. All of the titles below are on the same page - you will need to scroll down

  • Song of Solomon 1:1 Getting the Right Perspective
  • Song of Solomon 1:2-2:7 The Beginning of True Love
  • Song of Solomon 2:8-3:5 Getting to Know You
  • Song of Solomon 3:8-5:2 Lover's Lib
  • Song of Solomon 5:2-6:9 The Test of True Love - Part 1
  • Song of Solomon 6:10-8:4 The Test of True Love - Part 1
  • Song of Solomon 8:5-7 The Love that Excels
  • Song of Solomon 8:8-14 Summing it All Up

THIRD MILLENNIUM
Study Notes
Song of Solomon

OUTLINE & REFERENCES

NOTES ON THE TEXT

Song of Solomon 1

Song of Solomon 2

Song of Solomon 3

Song of Solomon 4

Song of Solomon 5

Song of Solomon 6

Song of Solomon 7

Song of Solomon 8

TODAY IN THE WORD
Song of Solomon

Note: The Devotionals in the Right 2 Columns can be found in the respective chapters of the commentary (in the left column). Scroll down to the devotional.

  • Song of Solomon 1:1-4
  • Song of Solomon 1:5-8
  • Song of Solomon 1:9-14
  • Song of Solomon 1:15-17
  • Song of Solomon 2:1-7
  • Song of Solomon 2:8-9
  • Song of Solomon 2:10-14
  • Song of Solomon 2:15
  • Song of Solomon 2:16-17
  • Song of Solomon 3:1-5
  • Song of Solomon 3:6-11
  • Song of Solomon 4:1-5
  • Song of Solomon 4:6-7
  • Song of Solomon 4:8-9
  • Song of Solomon 4:10-11
  • Song of Solomon 4:12-16
  • Song of Solomon 5:1
  • Song of Solomon 5:2-3
  • Song of Solomon 5:4-7
  • Song of Solomon 5:8-16
  • Song of Solomon 6:1-3
  • Song of Solomon 6:4-7
  • Song of Solomon 6:8-10
  • Song of Solomon 6:11-13
  • Song of Solomon 7:1-10
  • Song of Solomon 7:11-13
  • Song of Solomon 8:1-4
  • Song of Solomon 8:5-9

STEVE ZEISLER
Peninsula Bible Church

OUR DAILY BREAD
DEVOTIONALS

(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

No Wonder! Song of Solomon 1:1-4

We love Him because He first loved us. —nkjv 1 John 4:19

Today's Scripture & Insight: Song of Solomon 1:1-4

“He’s perfect for you,” my friend told me. She was talking about a guy she had just met. She described his kind eyes, his kind smile, and his kind heart. When I met him I had to agree. Today he’s my husband, and no wonder I love him!

In the Song of Solomon the bride describes her lover. His love is better than wine and more fragrant than ointments. His name is sweeter than anything in this world. So she concludes that it’s no wonder he is loved.

But there is Someone far greater than any earthly loved one, Someone whose love is also better than wine. His love satisfies our every need. His “fragrance” is better than any perfume because when He gave Himself for us, His sacrifice became a sweet-smelling aroma to God (Eph. 5:2). Finally, His name is above every name (Phil. 2:9). No wonder we love Him!

It is a privilege to love Jesus. It is the best experience in life! Do we take the time to tell Him so? Do we express with words the beauty of our Savior? If we show His beauty with our lives, others will say, “No wonder you love Him!” By:  Keila Ochoa

Lord, You are beautiful! No wonder we love You! Deepen our love for You today, we pray. Help us see Your beauty in new ways.

Share this prayer from our Facebook page with your friends: facebook.com/ourdailybread

God’s Word tells us of His love; our words tell Him of our love.

Say It!

My beloved spoke, and said to me: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." — Song of Solomon 2:10

Today's Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:10-14

All too often we take for granted the ones we love. Perhaps we get caught up in the day-to-day process of living and working, and we neglect to share our true inner feelings. “She knows I love her,” we tell ourselves. But we never tell our spouse.

Maybe you grew up in a family where positive, loving feelings were never expressed in words, so you don’t know what to say. Perhaps you’re afraid you’ll say the wrong thing, or that if you try to express your feelings you won’t be able to control them. That’s okay, even if you cry.

An advertisement reads, “Say it with flowers!” Maybe that’s how you tell that special someone of your love. Or perhaps you say it with a well-chosen card. My wife loves dark chocolates, so I often give her candy and a card on special occasions. She appreciates these tokens of love, but I’ve learned over the years not to let the card or the gift do all the work of saying what I really feel inside. I also need to say the words, “I love you.”

Everyone needs to hear words of love. In the Song of Solomon, the lovers frequently used endearing terms when speaking to each other.

Today, tell that special person “I love you,” not just with candy or flowers but with words. By:  David C. Egner

THINKING IT OVER
When was the last time you said "I love you" to a special person in your life? Think of a quality you appreciate in that person and tell him or her about it.

A word of love can make a world of difference.

Eyes Only For Her

O my dove, . . . let me see your face, let me hear your voice. — Song of Solomon 2:14

Today's Scripture: Revelation 19:6-10

I was privileged to officiate at Steve’s marriage to Karen. God had brought this couple together, and it was obvious that they were deeply in love.

When the wedding day finally arrived, all preparations had been made. The bridesmaids’ dresses were ready, the flowers were in place, the rehearsal was complete. As the ceremony began, Steve and I walked in first. We stood at the front as the bridesmaids came down the aisle and took their places. The flower girls came next, dropping petals as they walked. They were cute as could be, and all eyes were on them—all except Steve’s. Then I heard him sigh. Karen had stepped into his vision. He hadn’t been concerned about the bridesmaids, or even the flower girls. He was watching for his bride. He had eyes only for her.

The church is Jesus Christ’s fiancée—His betrothed. He loves her with a sacrificial, unending love. He died to redeem her. And the day is nearing when Christ will return to earth to take His bride unto Himself. The joyous marriage supper of the Lamb will follow (Rev. 19:7-9).

As part of the church, we are the bride of Christ. He loves us. He has eyes only for us.

Do we have eyes only for Him? By:  David C. Egner

From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.
—Stone

God loves every one of us as if there were but one of us to love. —Augustine

Catching Foxes

Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards. Song of Solomon 2:15

Today's Scripture & Insight: Song of Solomon 2:14–17

While talking on the phone with a friend who lives by the seaside, I expressed delight at hearing seagulls squawking. “Vile creatures,” she responded, for to her they’re a daily menace. As a Londoner, I feel the same way about foxes. I find them not cute animals but roaming creatures that leave smelly messes in their wake.

Foxes appear in the love poetry of the Song of Solomon, an Old Testament book that reveals the love between a husband and wife and, some commentators believe, between God and His people. The bride warns about little foxes, asking her bridegroom to catch them (2:15). For foxes, hungry for the vineyard’s grapes, could tear the tender plants apart. As the bride looks forward to their married life together, she doesn’t want vermin disturbing their covenant of love.

How can “foxes” disturb our relationship with God? For me, when I say “yes” to too many requests, I can become overwhelmed and unpleasant. Or when I witness relational conflict, I can be tempted to despair or anger. As I ask the Lord to limit the effect of these “foxes”—those I’ve let in through an open gate or those that have snuck in—I gain in trust of and love for God as I sense His loving presence and direction.

How about you? How can you seek God’s help from anything keeping you from Him? By:  Amy Boucher Pye

Lord God, You are powerful and You are good. Please protect my relationship with You, keeping out anything that would take my eyes off You.

God can guard our relationship with Him.

Tiny Evils, Big Fall

Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, . . . so does a little folly o one respected for wisdom and honor. — Ecclesiastes 10:1

Today's Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:16-10:10

It started as a seedling on the slopes of the Colorado Rockies some 500 years ago. For centuries it had stood tall, enduring violent winds, lightning strikes, blizzards, even avalanches. Now, however, the once-towering tree is just a mound of decaying wood.

What caused its demise? A horde of beetles had attacked it, gnawing away until that skyscraper of nature surrendered to those tiny pests and toppled over.

That’s also the tragic story of many Christians. For long years they stood tall for God. They resisted temptations, weathered crises, and were bold in the strength divinely provided. But little sins began to eat away at their lives—little lies, little compromises with greed or lust, sins that gradually eroded their character. And suddenly they fell.

Song of Solomon 2:15 states, “Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines.” This colorful Old Testament verse should sound a loud alarm in our consciences. We must not tolerate the little evils that eat away at the roots of our lives. Otherwise, our once-strong witness for Christ will become a silenced casualty of sin. Let’s confess those “tiny” evils to God now, before they lead to a big fall. By:  Vernon Grounds

Nothing between, like worldly pleasure,
Habits of life, though harmless they seem,
Must not my heart from Him ever sever—
He is my all! There's nothing between.
—Tindley

A big fall begins with a little stumble.

 

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DISCLAIMER: Before you "go to the commentaries" go to the Scriptures and study them inductively (Click 3 part overview of how to do Inductive Bible Study) in dependence on your Teacher, the Holy Spirit, Who Jesus promised would guide us into all the truth (John 16:13). Remember that Scripture is always the best commentary on Scripture. Any commentary, even those by the most conservative and orthodox teacher/preachers cannot help but have at least some bias of the expositor based upon his training and experience. Therefore the inclusion of specific links does not indicate that we agree with every comment. We have made a sincere effort to select only the most conservative, "bibliocentric" commentaries. Should you discover some commentary or sermon you feel may not be orthodox, please email your concern. I have removed several links in response to concerns by discerning readers. I recommend that your priority be a steady intake of solid Biblical food so that with practice you will have your spiritual senses trained to discern good from evil (Heb 5:14-note).

GA4