SONG of SONGS

A Biblical-Theological, Allegorical, Christological Interpretation

James M. Hamilton Jr.

Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. esv Text Edition: 2007.”

Scripture quotations marked (nasb) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by Permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked (niv) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2015 James M. Hamilton Jr.

ISBN 978-1-78191-560-8

Printed in 2015

by

Christian Focus Publications Ltd.,

Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-shire,

IV20 1TW, Scotland, U.K.

www.christianfocus.com

Cover design by Daniel van Straaten

Printed and bound by Bell & Bain, Glasgow

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying. In the U.K. such licences are issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, Saffron House, 6-10 Kirby Street, London, EC1 8TS www.cla.co.uk.

for Jillian Ashley Hamilton

as one from two we enjoy

the music of this the

most sublime

Song

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: The Song of Songs in Biblical Theology: How to Read the Most Sublime Song

What is the Song of Songs?

How Should We Read It?

The Song’s Setting: Thorns and Thistles, Rivered Garden

The Song’s Plot: Garments of Skin, Exposed and Unashamed

The Song’s Hero: David’s Son, the new Adam

The Song’s Meaning: Poetry, Allegory, Typology, Oh My!

Conclusion

Chapter 2: The Exemplary King (1)

Main Point

Context

Preview

Song 1:1: Title and Tie to the Canon

Song 1:2–7: The Bride and the Daughters of Jerusalem

1:2–4a, The Bride Longing for the King

1:4b, Daughters of Jerusalem

1:5–7, The Bride to the Daughters and the Shepherd King

Song 1:8–17: The King and the Bride

1:8–11, The King to the Bride

1:12–14, The Bride about the King

1:15, The King to the Bride

1:16, The Bride to the King

1:17, The King about the Relationship

Conclusion

Questions for Discussion

Chapter 3: The Flower and the Fruit Tree (2)

Need

Main Point

Context

Preview

Song 2:1–3: The Flower and the Fruit Tree

Song 2:4–7: The Bride’s Longing and Warning

Song 2:8–17: The Song of Spring

Conclusion

Questions for Discussion

Chapter 4: Like Columns of Smoke from the Wilderness (3)

Need

Main Point

Context

Preview

Song 3:1–5: The Bride’s Longing

Song 3:6–11: The King’s Arrival

Conclusion

Questions for Discussion

Chapter 5: The Consummation of the Covenant (4)

Need

Main Point

Context

Preview

Song 4:1–7: Flowing with Milk and Honey

Song 4:8–15: Living ...