Many can relate to the Shulamite of a life born in pain. A cursory read through the Song of Songs gives us a glimpse into a woman who had a hard, if not abusive past. But then enters Solomon, and her life will never be the same again! Who is this man? And what is it about him that makes the music of this love Song so melodious?
Regardless of whether Solomon wrote it, (authorship seems to be debatable for almost every book of the Bible to some degree) it is noteworthy that his name is mentioned in the Song seven times.¹ This doesn’t include multiple references to things that would apply to him and the time period in which he reigned as king of Israel.
At the least, I think it can be said with confidence that in this book Solomon is a “sign and wonder.”
“Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.” ~ Isa. 8:18
A sign points to and pictures something, and Solomon in this book points to and pictures the love of Jesus Christ for His bride.
Perhaps another way of saying it is a “shadow.” And like a shadow there are grey areas, but the reality always stands near the shadow if only we get our focus up off the ground to see Him!
Solomon at His Best
We know from Solomon’s history that he didn’t end well. Temptations overtook him. However, sin does not negate God’s promises and ultimate purpose. Many shadows of Christ sinned “royally.” (no pun intended) Solomon’s father, King David, was one of them. He committed adultery with Bathsheba (Solomon’s mother) and craftily arranged her husband’s death to cover his guilt. And yet David is clearly a “sign and wonder..” Many of his Psalms, for example, were understood and quoted as prophetic in nature for the Messiah.
One of the prophecies given to King David was that from his lineage the Messiah would come to sit on the throne of an eternal reign. Even the religious scholars of Jesus’ day who were confused about so much, knew that the Messiah would be a ‘son of David.’ ² It is in this sense that Solomon, by far the greatest king that ever reigned since David, can be seen as a shadow of the King of Kings. When Jesus Christ came He fulfilled all the prophecies of all the ‘shadows’ and declared unto a nation in bondage, “The Kingdom of God has come upon you.” John the Baptist who prepared the way for this message recognized what was happening when he called himself the “friend of the Bridegroom”.³ It was the long awaited time for God to obtain His Shulamite Bride! And a most beautiful bride too, that invites anyone in, both Jew and Gentile.
“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch,
and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.” ~Jer 23:5
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More thoughts about Solomon? Please share below.
Your comments are valuable and welcome.
¹ Song 1:1, 1:5, 3:7, 3:9, 3:11, 8:11, 8:12
² Matthew 22:41-46, also see 1 Chron. 17:11-14, Isa. 9:6-7, 11:1-4, Lk. 1:32-33, Jer. 23:5-6
³ John 3:29