12th March 2026

12th March 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Song of Solomon 1v1) 


Message (Scott Woodburn) 


These devotions have so far been considering various introductory topics related to Solomon's great song and while today's devotion is no exception it is the last of the introductions. Who are the main characters in the Song? There are three.


The heroine of the Song is the woman who is also called the "Shulammite" (6v13). This isn't her name but it hints at her brithplace as a Shulammite is someone from the village of Shulam. Some have identified her as Solomon's first wife Naamah the mother of Rehoboam (1 Kings 14v21). Others have pointed out that Abishag who kept the elderly King David warm was also a Shulammite (1 Kings 1v3-4) and was described as being very beautiful. Perhaps she was the heroine of the Song? The truth is that we can't be certain.


If we don't know her name we can be sure of who she loved. The second character of the Song is the one that we call the "Shepherd" who was described as having flocks (1v7) and grazing among the lilies (6v3). I think we can describe this man as the hero of the story and the Shulammite's one true love.


The other main figure is Solomon himself who appears from the wilderness (3v6) to woo and seduce the Shulammite. Some interpretations have Solomon as the hero of the Song but I prefer not to see him in this position. The fact that he comes from the wilderness is a hint that perhaps we are not supposed to see him in a glowing light and his appetite for many women is seen as a negative in 8v11.


As you read the Song you may also notice that above some verses it might say "He" or "She" or "Others." Here the translators of the original Hebrew text have done us a wee favour by guiding us to their best estimate of who is speaking by looking at the gender of the original words. Even so, we can't always be certain - for example not everyone is sure that it is Solomon who speaks in chapter four.


There are some other characters like the daughters of Jerusalem who I think are other members of Solomon's hareem but they play a lesser role than the three main figures of the Shulammite, the Shepherd and Solomon. Who would the woman choose? Well that is the thrust of the song - her choice was a life in the hareem or a life of covenant faithfulness.


The world is full of such choices but I'm mindful of Christ's words to the Ephesians when He urged them to remember their first love (Revelation 2v4). I think we would be wise to do the same. This world cannot last and only a fool would live for today with no regard for tomorrow. In all decisions great and small, may we choose to follow Christ.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q13 Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created? Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.
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