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The “Intimate Kingdom" is a site focused on the role the Song of Songs plays in the Kingdom of God, and one's personal relationship with Christ and His body. (apart from the religion of "churchianity") Take a look around. If you like what you read so far - feel free to download the free eBook, and then subscribe to get new posts.

Recent Song of Songs Posts Below

The Wooing of the Virgin Daughters

The Bride has friends on each side of her

“…Therefore the virgins love you”, Song 1:3

The Song of Songs is arranged like scenes in a drama, with three main speakers.  It’s hard to know who is speaking at times, but there are clues within the text that can help.  Mostly we hear from King Solomon and the Shulamite Bride, but there is also a “chorus” group that occasionally shows up, called the “Daughters of Jerusalem.” They are the same as the “young virgins.” (or young women in some translations) 

Here is a breakdown of the first 4 verses, where they first appear in the story:

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There She Stands – Faced With The Bittersweetness Of Myrrh (Song 1:3)

Bottle of Anointing Oil with Myrrh

After violently pushing through competing lovers and loves, the Shulamite is finally in a place where she could be close enough to Solomon to be kissed by Him. It’s all she wants. She knows from experience that His expressions of love bring her joy and satisfaction, more than the best wine can ever do.  

But first, she is instantly overwhelmed with Solomon’s fragrance. It is an anointing cologne that the king wears that is unique to him, made up of costly spices. 

She breathes it in deeply, memorizing each of its bold, yet subtle nuances. One of the spices she recognizes is Myrrh. It fills her with emotions. Memories of her father’s death. And memories of King David’s death. 

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Better Than Wine – A Sobering Subject

Man at Cana wedding pouring wine from jug

We quickly sense in the opening cry of the Bride, that this Woman has tasted something in the love of Solomon that has completely changed her life. She is intoxicated by him, and every fiber of her being is filled with a self-giving purpose to exist. If she ever had any addictions or unhealthy habits, they are melted away. The passion of being newly in love has a way of doing that!

There is a principle that says, and I believe it is true: “The cure for addiction is not sobriety. It is connection.”

Meaning, “just saying no” is not the answer to the hole in the human heart, that fills itself with various substitutes for true intimacy. Cut something unhealthy out of your life – and feel no higher meaning for being alive in the first place – and it won’t be long before something else unhealthy comes rushing in to fill the void.

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Thirsty For A Kiss (Song 1:2 continued)

His Kisses Are Sweeter Than Wine

I wonder if the last post about the Woman’s determination to be kissed whet the appetite for more? Because at the deeper level of what’s going to happen, it all “starts with a kiss”… as the saying goes. Like a first sip of wine whose effect goes straight to the brain, a single kiss can light a new, unquenchable appetite for the Bride to not be satisfied with anything except the “full cup.”

So how perfect that the Song begins with kissing! 

Because kissing, from the standpoint of foreplay to sex, is a rich metaphor to explore.

For example…

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