‘They Serve as Shadows’ ~ An Introduction to the Characters in the Song of Songs

What do I mean by saying the characters in the Song of Songs are “shadows?” It means that the two main people in the Song, although historically real, were living out a prophetic purpose bigger than themselves. Certain details of their lives were unfolding to become signposts to represent and reveal a spiritual reality that was to follow in Christ. To this day, we can read their creative expression of passionate love in the Song, but when divine light is cast upon it, we can suddenly see!  We see the Lover who has loved us from before time, fully embodying all that the mere shadows can only vaguely convey.

◆ “Behold, I and the children whom God has given me are for signs and for wonders…” ~Isaiah 8:18
◆ “These are a shadow of the reality to come, but the body is Christ.” ~Colossians 2:17

Excited yet? I definitely am. :-) So let’s get into a brief introduction to these characters in the Song. It might not be necessary for those who are already familiar with the book, but right now it will help establish consistent names that we’ll use in the upcoming study. 

THE MAIN SINGER/SPEAKERS:

♕ Solomon:  

First there is King David’s son, Solomon, who is mentioned right away in verse 1. Solomon was certainly one of the greatest leaders in history, even a ‘king of kings^⁠1,’ if you will, who was blessed with supernatural wisdom, and brought the nation of Israel into an extended time of unity, prosperity, and rest from war. In fact, the name Solomon means “Peace,” and during his best years becomes for us a shadow and type of Jesus Christ, whose Messianic title is the “Prince of Peace^⁠2.” (Not to miss mentioning: also the “Son of David^⁠3.”)  Keeping it simple though, in the Song of Songs, Solomon is most often referred to by the Woman who loved him, as her “Beloved.⁴”  

❤︎ The Woman:  

I will usually capitalize “Woman” when referring to this nameless person in the Song, because she is somewhat of a mystery. (although I have my thoughts, of course) :-)  Solomon calls her his bride, (or spouse) his sister, his dove, and other lovely nicknames. In one place she is called “the Shulamite,” which is partially a hint to where she may have come from, but in the Hebrew, it is also a creative feminine twist on the name Solomon, also meaning “peaceful,” and “complete and whole!” She is a shadow and type of a corporate entity – both male and female – who elsewhere in the bible is called the “Bride of Christ.”

❖ The Daughters of Jerusalem:  

Occasionally there is a chorus of maidens who dialogue with the Shulamite in the Song. They are young friends who follow her, help her, and provide her safety when traveling. They are curious and seem interested in romance, but do not fully understand, or enjoy, the kind of mature and all-consuming love that the Shulamite has with her Beloved.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT ROLES:

⚒︎ There are also the Woman’s resentful brothers, or “her mother’s sons,” as it is worded. I’m not sure yet if they have a speaking role in the Song. They are briefly mentioned as causing their sister to work very hard for them, before her relationship with Solomon blossomed. Her father is probably deceased, as an orphaned girl would culturally be put into the care of a brother or uncle. Her mother is also briefly mentioned, but there’s no indication if she is alive or not, and she has no speaking role.

⚑ The city watchmen are another group of characters who have no singing part in the song.  They attack the Shulamite in one of the scenes.

 ♫ Finally there may be one other “father-figure” voice, who represents God , singing/speaking a singular verse in the middle of the book.

With all these characters, we’ll be examining them in more detail as they are revealed in the Song.

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

In closing, it is beautiful to imagine Solomon and the Shulamite composing this Song in life together, as it was meant to be sung – with God as their witness. Although we don’t have the exact melody, there are enough spiritual metaphors given in their story to point the way for us to see God’s love in a whole new light! 

¹ Matthew 12:42 /  ² Isaiah 9:6  /  ³ Mark 12:35-37 /  ⁴ Hebrew, DỘd. But it is also connected to the name Jedidiah, that God gave Solomon in the womb, meaning “Beloved of God.”