The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, is one of the more controversial books in the Bible. The debate over its inclusion centered around its passionate tone and sexual imagery that is presumed to be more in keeping with romantic entanglements between humans than it is our relationship with the Lord.
Still, the Song of Solomon was included, apparently because it does have something important to teach us about love, both divine and human. The Lord, who intentionally made human beings to be sexual creatures, is not embarrassed about or unaware of the physicality of our love. While not considered a book of law or history, the Song of Solomon won a place in scripture among the writings, alongside such other works of poetry as Psalms and Proverbs.
One of the more confusing aspects of this book is that it can sometimes be difficult to tell just who is speaking. Sometimes it is the lover (the king, presumably Solomon); other times it is the beloved (a foreign princess); and at other times it appears to be a chorus of Israelites. Different translations make educated guesses at "who's who", but I have found the New International Version to be closest to my own opinion.
In chapter 1, we are introduced to the characters who are already very taken with each other. The princess, we learn, is dark-skinned and beautiful (vs. 5-6, 8 and 15). The king responds with expressions of praise about the attractiveness of the beloved. Along the way, the friends make comments and observations to help bring the lovers together.
Some of the poetic imagery may make us giggle in the 21st century, such as when the king says, "I liken you, my darling, to a mare" (vs. 9) and "Your eyes are doves" (vs. 15). We would do well to remember that every culture naturally produces expressions that are familiar to itself. Solomon compared his beloved to attractive animals he would have known and appreciated from his experience: horses and doves.
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