God’s Guidebook
To Happy Dating and Marriage

• Several authors are suggested by scholars, but the author set forth in this series is Solomon
– “The song of songs…” (1 Kings 4:32)
– “… which is Solomon’s” (1:1)
– Solomon is mentioned seven times (1:1,5;
3:7,9,11; 8:11-12) along with his royal luxury and costly imports (1:12-13; 3:6-11; 4:4; 5:14-15)

• Several authors are suggested by scholars, but the author set forth in this series is Solomon
– Geographical references are made to places in northern and southern Palestine (6:4)
– References are made to a variety of plants and animals (1 Kings 4:33)
– Reference is made to concubines (1 Kings 11:3)
– Reference is made to chariots (1 Kings 10:28-29)

• Song of Solomon is a love song written by Solomon using Hebrew poetry. It records literal and historical stages of true love (from 1:2 to 8:7) found between
Solomon and a Shulamite shepherd girl (6:13).
• Song of Solomon describes the development of pure and dignified love within a healthy marriage relationship. The ideal love and sexual intimacy that
God ordains for a married couple is found here
(Gen. 2:24). This is a much needed love song in our contemporary world of sexual immorality.

• Song of Solomon is divided into three different scenes: 1) courtship (1:2-3:5), 2) wedding / honeymoon (3:6 – 5:1), and 3) married life (5:2-8:14)
• Song of Solomon contains three main characters:
Solomon (“my beloved”), the Shulamite woman (“my love”), and the daughters of Jerusalem (friends of the couple)

• Falling in Love (1:1 – 3:5) – Courtship Days
( Cultivating Love )
• United in love (3:6 – 5:1) – Wedding Day
( Consummating Love )
• Struggling in Love (5:2 – 7:9) – Marriage
Frustration ( Caring Love )
• Maturing in Love (7:10 – 8:14) – Marriage
Faithfulness ( Conquering Love )

( Song of Solomon 1:1 – 3:5 )
• Longing of love in courtship (1:1-8)
• Expressions of love in courtship (1:9 – 2:9)
• Activities of love in courtship (2:10-17)
• Determination of love in courtship (3:1-5)

( Song of Solomon 1:1 – 3:5 )
• The Shulamite (1:2-4)
• The Daughters of Jerusalem (1:4)
• The Shulamite (1:5-7)
• The Beloved (1:8-10)
• The Daughters of Jerusalem (1:11)
• The Shulamite (1:12-14)
• The Beloved (1:15)
• The Shulamite (1:16 – 2:1)
• The Beloved (2:2)
• The Shulamite (2:3-9)
• The Beloved (2:10-14)
• The Shulamite (2:15 – 3:5)

( Song of Solomon 1:1 – 3:5 )
• Dating is a good opportunity to express love for each other
• Dating is a good opportunity to share respect and admiration for each other
• Dating is a good opportunity to gain knowledge of each other
• Dating is a good opportunity to develop a strong bond for each other

( Song of Solomon 1:2 – 3:5)
• Desire closeness (1:2-3)
• Verbalize confirmation (1:4)
• Admit contrition (1:5-6)
• Seek company (1:7-8)
• Express compliments (1:9-16)
• Accept contentment (1:17)
• Practice carefulness (2:1-7)
• Develop companionship (2:8-17)
• Determine commitment (3:1-5)

( Song of Solomon 3:1-5)
• Separation (v.1)
• Determination (v. 2-3)
• Celebration (v. 4)
• Limitation (v. 5)

• Look for someone that you can truly love; be highly selective; desire only one to be with
(S.S. 1:2,4; 2:4; Gen. 2:18-24; Eph. 5:22-33;
Col. 3:19; Tit. 2:4)
• Look for someone with inward, godly character, not just outward physical beauty
(S.S. 1:3; Prov. 22:1; Eccl. 7:1; Prov. 31:30;
1 Pet. 3:4)

• Look for someone with a good work ethic
(S.S. 1:5-7; Prov. 31:10ff; 1 Thess. 4:11;
1 Tim. 5:8)
• Look for someone who is kind, considerate, and appreciative of you; words that are plentiful, personal, positive, and pure
(S.S. 1:9-17; 2:1-6; 3:8-17; 1 Pet. 3:7)

ed
• Keep love within its proper bounds and not engage in physical intimacy until the proper time; exercise restraint; dating but waiting
(S.S. 2:7; 3:5; 1 Cor. 6:15-20; 1 Thess. 4:3-7)
• Spend time together in preparation for a lifelong companionship together (S.S. 2:8-17;
Gen. 2:18; Mal. 2:14; Mt. 19:6)

• Determine not to let anything stand in the way of true love (3:1-4; Prov. 12:4; 18:22;
19:14; 31:10-31)