The Key To Understanding Song Of Solomon Is "Abandon"

This is Solomon’s song of songs, more wonderful than any other. [Song of Solomon 1.1]

I first referenced this verse in an article written in 2006 not long after I first began intentionally and methodically reading the Bible and writing something in response. That article was titled Erotic Writing and, I believe, definitely worth the read. That initial response was the beginning a journey.

After 17 years of intentionally and methodically reading the Bible and writing something in response, I wrote another article in 2023 specifically referencing Song of Solomon 1.1: All I Am Going To Say. Again, I believe this article, too, is worth the read specifically for its brevity and the prayer that concludes it. That prayer revealed a milestone in my relationship with God.

Then, in 2025, Song of Solomon 1.1 was again referenced in my article Wonderful Song?. In this article, it is obvious (particularly in my prayer) that I was experiencing a shift in thinking... 

It should be understood that by the year 2025 that a notable focus (revelation, understanding) on idolatry had become obvious in all my writing - a focus on idolatry that still prevails to this day in my daily responses. It is this focus on idolatry that leads me to what is said here today in 2026...

The two main characters of Song of Solomon, the young man and the young woman, reveal in shocking detail what a genuine relationship with God looks like. 

The titillatingly sexual references of Song of Solomon graphically (and effectively) convey the absolute 'abandon' of the young woman giving herself to the young man. Jesus Christ demanded no less abandon:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)] 

The young man's enthrallment with the young woman clearly speaks of God's graphically unrestrained 'abandon' for mankind. Jesus described that relationship as well:

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

God's 'ultimate abandon' of Himself to enter earth and to physically die on a cross for those He loves is undeniable. Remarkably, the following sentence is included in the Song of Solomon:

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. [Song of Solomon 8.6, bold added]

The graphic nature of Song of Solomon quite effectively conveys just how serious (and jealous) God was from the beginning about our relationship with Him. 

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7]

God remains just as serious (and jealous) about our relationship with Him through Jesus Christ today. 

God is fully committed to His people. However, relationship with God does not exist unless His people are fully committed to Him. Grace does not apply where faith is not found (see Romans 4). Idolatry and adultery are the same thing. The Bible's message is clear, but man's selfish lust for 'forbidden fruit' (idolatry/adultery) clouds his vision of what the Bible says, and therefore of God.

The key to understanding Song of Solomon is "abandon."

Father, I never imagined just how much my thoughts on Song of Solomon would change over twenty years of committed methodical reading of Your Word... but they clearly have. In the (truly more wonderful than any other) text of Song of Solomon, I find today confirmation of my need to continually and completely abandon myself, giving up my own way, taking up my cross, and following Jesus, as He abandoned Himself for me. May my words here help others to grow in You as I can see that I am growing in You. So be it.