Song of Songs Chapter 3: Solomon's Wedding + the Biblical Context for Sex

Today we are continuing our series through Song of Songs and diving into chapter 3! For the past two weeks we've been talking about how we need to reframe our perspective of sex and Christian relationships, and getting really practical as to how the Bible calls our relationships to look like. It's been such a joy for me and I honestly had no idea that all of this was in Song of Songs, but I'm so grateful for what the Lord has taught me and that you're here learning right alongside me!

As we jump into chapter 3, I want to preface this by saying that at some points in the rest of the book, we read about dreams that the maiden has about Solomon. That can make it a little bit difficult to understand as we jump from dreams to reality, but I'll do my best to clarify and explain as much as I can!

We're starting off reading about the maiden having a dream, where she longed for Solomon intently and wanted to be with him. I'd like to note that this isn't a bad thing; it's a normal and natural feeling to desire your partner. It's important that we don't desire anyone or anything over God, but there is a place for longing in our relationships. In her dream, she goes out and searches for Solomon urgently, and after a bit of looking, she found him. Verse 4 says that she "held him and would not let him go, till [she] had brought him to [her] mother's house, to the room of the one who concieved [her]." She didn't want to be far from him, and she celebrated when they were close again.

The second part of this verse is in the context of marriage. In the dream, they were safe in the covenant of marriage, and they had her mother's approval (which is evident through the fact that they went to her mother's house). They were intimate and close - and it was celebrated. Again, the maiden emphasizes the importance of not arousing or awakening love until it so desires. Sex is a beautiful thing, but only within God's design can it be truly celebrated and experienced to the fullest.

Throughout the rest of this short chapter, she describes their wedding. Verse 6 describes the wedding precession, where Solomon comes up in a grand entrance. He has 60 warriors by his side (or what we would consider groomsmen), all armed with swords and experience in battle, which was a sign that he was a powerful man who could protect his bride. He made the best carriage for his wife, made with wood from Lebanon, silver, gold, and love. While it doesn't quite match our idea of a modern day wedding, it's so sweet to see the care and joy that was poured into their wedding, and how intentional Solomon sought to provide for his bride.

I also think it's really interesting to note how verse 11 mentions Solomon wearing a crown that his mother gave him, connecting to earlier in the chapter where they went back to the maiden's mother's house. I wholeheartedly believe that family is so important to the health and strength of a couple, and this really connects here biblically as well. Both Solomon and the maiden's mother supported and celebrating their marriage alongside them, and that is so special. I've experienced first hand a unique kind of love that comes with involving my family in my relationship, not in a way that invades our privacy, but that creates a village of people who walk alongside of us and pray for us.

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While this chapter was a shorter one, it's so sweet to read about Solomon and his bride, and their love story. They are a reminder of what God's design for marriage and intimacy looks like, and that the Bible does in fact include a lot of romance! Intimacy and love is a gift and a blessing from the Lord, but to be able to fully enjoy that gift, we have to abide in His plan and guidance - which makes it all the more sweeter. I'm loving this series more every week, and I hope you are too! Next week, we're diving into chapter 4, and it's a good one! :)