1. The Song of Songs Love and Courtship

2. “ Now young people face a social frontier of their own. They hit puberty around 13 and many don’t marry until they’re past 30. That’s two decades of coupling, uncoupling, hooking up, relationships and shopping around. This period isn’t a transition anymore. It’s a sprawling life stage, and nobody knows the rules. Once young people came a-calling as part of a courtship. Then they had dating and going steady. But the rules of courtship have dissolved (emphasis MRW). They’ve been replaced by ambiguity and uncertainty. Cell phones, Facebook and text messages give people access to hundreds of ‘friends.’ That only increases the fluidity, drama and anxiety.” David Brooks, New York Times 2007

3. The Song of Songs Love and Courtship

4. The Song of Songs First, a few comments: God leaves room for the judgement of the parents This is not going to be an in-depth verse-by-verse study The Characters

5. The Song of Songs Why do I court?

6. Outline of Song of Solomon I. Opening words of mutual desire II. His invitation for her to join him III. Her dream of him and their union IV. The Wedding V. Her dream of him and their separation VI. Her invitation for hin to join her VII. Closing words of mutual desire

7. The Song of Songs Whom do I court?

8. The Song of Songs Whom do I court? Shulamite: –possessed a good name (1:3) –humble (1:5-6) –industrious (1:6, 8) –caring (3:1) –demonstrates purity (3:5) –mature/discerning

9. The Song of Songs Whom do I court? The Beloved: – hard worker (1:7) –kind (1:8-10) –protector (2:3) –considerate of others (5:1) –demonstrates purity (3:5) –mature/discerning

10. The Song of Songs The Courtship

11. The Song of Songs The Wedding Day