My wife and I read the Song together each year. If you were to do something like that, and each had a different version of the Bible, you might see some differences in the headings that indicate who is speaking. There is a reason for that. Those headings are not in the original Hebrew. Context along with some help from Hebrew forms help to understand who is speaking.
Because of this, there are varieties of
understandings about the key figures of this “drama.” Many see it as one man (Solomon) and one
woman (the Shulamite). But one professor
saw it as a woman (Shulamite) resisting a man (Solomon) because of her love for
another (a shepherd). Given this, I am
going to share several broad outlines of the Song for you to consider as you
read.
·
My own outline:
o
Ch. 1-2: The Relationship
o
Ch. 3-4: Dealing with Estrangement
o Ch. 5-7: Dealing with Separation
o Ch. 8: The Conclusion.
·
From the KJV Bible Commentary, somewhat like the
professor mentioned above.
o
Separation Accomplished and the Shulamite
Reflects Sadly Upon the Ab sense of Her Shepherd-Lover, 1:2-5:8.
o Seduction Attempted and the Shulamite Remains Steadfastly Loyal to the Absent Shepherd, 5:9-7:10.
o Salvation Accomplished and the Shulamite Rejoices in the Presence of the Shepherd-Lover, 7:11-8:14.
·
From the MacArthur Study Bible:
o
1:2-3:5: The Courtship: “Leaving”
o 3:6-5:1: The Wedding: “Cleaving”
o 5:2-8:14: The Marriage: “Weaving”
·
Finally, from the Wycliffe Bible Commentary:
o
The mutual affection of bride and bridegroom,
1:1-2:7
o
The bride speaking of her bridegroom. Her first dream about him,2:8-3:5.
o
The bridal procession. The bride’s second dream. Her conversation with the daughters of
Jerusalem, 3:6-6:3.
o The bridegroom’s further praise of his bride’s beauty. Her desire for him, 6:4-8:4.
o Final expressions of mutual love, 8:5-14.
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