My actual title for this post is: Can an Allegorical Interpretation of Song of Solomon be Justified Biblically? It’s too long and not pithy enough, so let’s go with What’s the Point of Song of Solomon?
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This is a question I have meditated upon for some time. I have dealt with those who disdain the idea of allegory. Allegorical interpretation is, for them, a gross misuse of Scripture that was particularly, and regrettably, popular among the church fathers. Of course, we cannot escape the idea that some Scripture should (and indeed must) be taken allegorically (see Gal. 4:24).
This issue is particularly relevant when dealing with Song of Solomon. In recent years the book has become more increasingly understood as a manual in erotic love. I must confess I’ve always found this line of interpretation difficult to swallow. I will admit that many of my initial issues with such thinking is on account of certain presuppositions:
For starters, I find it difficult to imagine that a poem/song should serve as a manual. Don’t get me wrong here. I understand the instructional value of songs quite well. The Psalms certainly instruct us, as does the Song of Moses, and other biblical songs. But they’re not how-to manuals.
Second, I have a hard time, personally, taking love-advice from Solomon. This is probably my shortcoming, but to me, he doesn’t exactly personify the quintessential lover if you know the rest of his history as recorded in the Bible. And yes, I know some folks don’t believe Solomon is the author. I accept the traditional assumption that he is, and I accept that the book is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and that it can certainly be helpful in many respects because of that. Also, I respect Solomon, his wisdom, and his accomplishments – but these do not erase his flaws and sins (which are more shocking on account of his great wisdom). I don’t stand in judgment over Solomon, God’s anointed. I’m just sharing some thoughts.
Third, I’m the evangelical sort who tends to think that the whole Bible is about Jesus. When the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, ‘…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus’ (1 Tim. 3:15), Song of Solomon is a part of the ‘sacred writings’ he is referring to.
Follow the logic:
A. The Whole Bible is About Jesus
B. Song of Solomon is in the Bible
= Song of Solomon is About Jesus
So my presuppositions caused me to search. Is their biblical precedent, is there exegetical proof, is there a biblical-theological line that can demonstrate that a Christ-centered interpretation of Song of Solomon is valid?
For starters, I point you to the article by James Hamilton HERE from the Westminster Theological Journal. I found it extremely helpful when I discovered it a couple of years ago. His argument for a legitimate parallel to the story of the Song and the story of the gospel is as follows, in summary form:
The Song is about Israel’s shepherd king, a descendent of David,who is treated as an ideal Israelite enjoying an ideal bride
in a lush garden, where the effects of the fall are reversed
(James M. Hamilton Jr., The Messianic Music of the Song of Songs: A Non-Allegorical Interpretation).
Next, I point you to Psalm 45:1-7:
Psalm 45:1 TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO LILIES. A MASKIL OF THE SONS OF KORAH; A LOVE SONG. My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. 3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! 4 In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! 5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you. 6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; 7 you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
I remember hearing a very well known preacher say that you shouldn’t read Song of Solomon as being about Christ (if you’re a man) because that’s just weird, because, you know, he’s a dude. How then do you deal with Psalm 45? You could certainly make the point, and I agree, that Psalm 45 is not about erotic love. But consider the following:
Psalm 45 is explicitly called a ‘love song’ (I remind you that the superscriptions are actually part of the Scripture, not something added). And as a love song it is written by men (the sons of Korah) about, and for, a man (the king). This king is then called God. And as God, he has a God, who anoints him with ‘the oil of gladness.’ Though the author may never have imagined such an application, this is a crystal clear reference to the Trinity in the form of a love song. Perhaps the sons of Korah had King David specifically in mind, yet no sane commentator would miss the application of the psalm to Christ, regardless of the authors’ initial intention. It’s just too clear to miss.
Perhaps the application is not as clear in Song of Solomon, but I think it is equally as valid and relevant. Hamilton’s article makes a compelling case. The Son of David, Solomon in the case of the Song, is the messiah (lower case ‘m’), the anointed one of God. Jesus Christ is the greater Solomon, the true Son of David, the Anointed One (Messiah with an upper case ‘M’). He is the ideal Israelite with his ideal bride in his lush garden. That’s our future, Christians – with Jesus. ‘Yes, he is altogether lovely’ (Song 5:16).
On top of this you can add the Book of Hosea to the list of relevant biblical data. Here a real man and real woman get to live out God’s loving relationship with His idolatrous people. This real man and real woman have real children and each child’s name represents an aspect of God’s great plan of redemption for the nations. God is not above using allegory, even in the context of marriage, sex, and child-bearing – even with the use of real people as living illustrations.
Here’s the crux of the issue:
Ultimately, to use a phrase from Tim Keller, we must ask who the Bible – all the Bible – is about. Is it about Jesus, or about you? For you’ll read it in one of those two ways. If it’s about you then why not look at Song of Solomon as a textbook for love. If you become like Solomon you can really have a sizzling romantic life and happy marriage (see how that worked out for wise Solomon). But if it’s about Jesus, then you get to rejoice as a bride in your Groom, who unlike Solomon, will not forsake you for concubines and encourage your idolatry (see Nehemiah 13:26).
I may come across as snide, but I want to make clear that I love and appreciate Solomon the man. I am only pointing out the glaringly obvious fact that he is a sinner – just like me. And I certainly won’t be writing any love manuals any time soon (though I may write a love poem or two for my wife). I will however be happy to point people to our greater Solomon, the Lord Jesus Christ, the ‘lover of my soul.’ Get right with him, fall in love with him, rejoice in his beauty and grace and just see what that will do for your marriage – more than any manual could, that’s for sure.
Luke 11:31 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
i enjoyed your lesson, but I lean toward a totally different way in reading this wonderful book.