1. AUTHOR. — Solomon, according to the ordinary view.

2. DATE. — Probably in the early part of his life.

3. LITERARY CHARACTER. — The book is in the form of a poetical dialogue, the speaker being Solomon, the Shulamite and the daughters of Jerusalem.

4. LEADING TOPIC. — Probably the marriage of Solomon with an Israelitish maiden, furnishing the occasion for an ideal representation of pure and steadfast love.

5. CHIEF PURPOSE. — To commend faithful love between husband and wife, and per haps to typify the mutual love of God and his people.

6. GENERAL ANALYSIS.

(a) Love of the maiden and her lover, Ch. 1-2:7.

(b) Remembrance of a former meeting, Ch. 2:8-3:5. 64

(c) The wedding at Jerusalem, Ch. 3:6– 5:1.

(d) The wife longs for the absent lover, who reappears and praises the bride, Ch. 5:2–6:9.

(e) The bride recalls her early home, Ch. 6:10-8:4.

(f) The king accompanies her on a visit to her country home, Ch. 8:5–14.

7. RELATION TO OTHER O. T. BOOKS. — This is unlike any other Old Testament book. Psalm 45 seems to commemorate the marriage of Solomon with a foreign princess. The figure of marriage is used in other places to describe the loving relation of God and his people.

8. FACTS TO BE NOTED. — Scholars are not agreed about the meaning and purpose of this book. Wrong ideas are easily suggested by the translation and arrangement of the Common Version. It is not at all certain that the traditional view of the meaning of the book is the correct one. There is much to favor the position of those who hold that the Song is meant to present a contrast between the pure affection of the shepherd lover, and the grosser passion of the royal harem.