2nd April 2026

2nd April 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Song of Solomon 4v1-5v1) 


Message (Scott Woodburn)


If Solomon was the hero of the Song then his words in today's passage should be seen as romantic, loving and praiseworthy. But if Solomon wasn't the Shepherd figure then what he says to the Shulammite is simply an attempt to seduce her and it wouldn't be his first time. We have said before that Solomon had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (1 Kings 11v3) meaning that his love carriage had been well used. It was Sinclair Ferguson who said that these are the words of a sexually promiscuous serial adulterer.


He would tell the Shulammite that she was beautiful (4v1) with no flaw to be found in her (4v7). She had captured the King's heart (4v9) causing Solomon to extol her beauty and to say that her love was better than wine (4v10). But the King was no fool and he understood that the Shulammite was like a locked garden and a fountain sealed up (4v12). She did not yet want to give herself to Solomon but the King wasn't prepared to take no for an answer. He wanted to visit this woman's garden, he wanted the wind to blow and to unlock her love (4v16), the King wanted to bed the Shulammite.


The daughters of Jerusalem agreed and they urged the couple to eat, drink and be drunk with love (5v1). But no matter how many flowery words Solomon used, the Shulammite was not prepared to compromise. Her body, her garden was not for Solomon but it was for her beloved. The Shepherd would be welcome to come and enjoy her (4v16b) but to the King she would remain a closed garden and a sealed up fountain.


If my approach to the Song is correct and Solomon is not the hero then his words must be considered as the "smooth words" of Proverbs 2v16. He had become intoxicated with a woman who should have been off-limits (Proverbs 5v20) and he was prepared to say whatever it took in order to add the Shulammite to his one thousand conquests.


Brothers and sisters, nothing ever changes and in our anything-goes society we should learn to be wise when listening to the words of others. It might be the partner who constantly tells you how beautiful you are or it might be a promise from someone offering you the world. Consider everything you hear in the light of Scripture, guard your heart against all manner of seduction and teach your children not to believe everything they hear. Furthermore, let your yes be yes and your no be no, leave no room for flattery in order to get your way (Proverbs 26v28).


As always Christ is our great example. "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2v22-23). May our words be true, our hearts secure and our gardens locked against the flattery of this dying age.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q31 What is effectual calling? Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
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