Today’s passage: Song of Solomon 3:1-11
Helpful thoughts:
- In today’s passage begins a series of dreams had by the Shulammite woman as she longs to be with her soon to be husband.
- In verse 5, after relaying the first portion of the content of her dream (Which includes the consummation of their relationship – Verse 4), the Shulammite asks her friends to help her refrain from her desires until the time is right.
- Verses 6-11 depict a royal wedding procession. There are a couple of possible reasons why King Solomon is specifically named here, even though the day of his wedding is said to be in the past tense (Verse 11):
- This could be the Shulammite calling her shepherd husband a “king” and seeing their marriage being just as significant and grand as a royal wedding.
- This could be Solomon reminding the reader just how important the wedding day is, pointing to it’s significance for the couple and also those who know and love them.
Questions to consider:
- What does it mean to say, ‘Whom my soul loves?” What kind of love is this that gives the Shulammite woman’s physical desires substance? How can what we read her saying give evidence that her desire is not lust, but love?
- How does verse 5 further evidence that love? What role can good Christian friends have in keeping each other pure?
- Why is the marriage celebration such a big event? What all is being celebrated? Therefore, (Depending on your role in society, the church, etc.) who all wants to be able to join in the celebration?