First Love

Song of Solomon 1:1-17

The song of songs, which is Solomon's. ” (Song of Solomon 1:1)

The Song of Solomon is a love song.   It is written in the form of a duet between Solomon and his lover, with each expressing their love for the other.   While it describes a real love story, it is an allegory illustrating the relationship of God with his people.   In Revelation 2:1-5, God warned the church of Ephesus that he was not pleased because they had left their first love.   The Song of Solomon demonstrates that first love.    

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.  Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.  Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. ” (Song of Solomon 1:2-4)

When a young couple first falls in love, they just want to be held and kissed.  Nothing else compares with being together, and they are thrilled just to hear their lover’s name spoken.    They are thrilled to be invited to activity they would normally avoid like the plague simply because they will be together.  They are filled with love for each other. 

“I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.  Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. ” (Song of Solomon 1:5-6)

A book I read described love as being happy with the other person just as they are.   The woman describes herself as sunburned and her hands are rough from working in the fields and not being able to care for herself like others might.  She doesn’t have perfect makeup or finely manicured hands.  She doesn’t think of herself as a great beauty, but she knows she is attractive.  She is not the trophy wife or the best girlfriend ever, she is just herself.    He loves her for who she is rather than what she does or what she looks like. 

“Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.   I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.  Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.  We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver. ” (Song of Solomon 1:7-11)

Knowing he can’t leave his job, she wants to come and spend the noon hour with him.  She doesn’t want to spend her time with others.    Because he loves her, he tells her how to find him.  To him she is the most beautiful woman alive, even though others may think she is less beautiful.    He finds her as exciting and attractive as crack military troop on parade.  Her cheeks are like jewels and her neck is a beautiful as a gold necklace.  He looks forward to buying her some jewelry to compliment her looks. 

Though we are aware of all our imperfections, Christ sees us as perfect.  He is looking forward to the time when he can give us the things he wants to share. 

“While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.  A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.  My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi. ” (Song of Solomon 1:12-14)

To the woman, everything about Solomon is attractive.  The only desire is to spend time with him.  They are drawn together like bees to a sweet smelling fi. 

“Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.  Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.  The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir. ” (Song of Solomon 1:15-17)

To the man she is so beautiful, with the soft gentleness of a pigeon or dove.  It is such a pleasure to be with her, just laying out on the grass under the trees.   Their joy comes from being together, not from what they have or their surroundings.