The Song of Solomon: An Invitation to Intimacy

Preaching the Word

by Douglas Sean O'Donnell, R. Kent Hughes (Series Editor)

The Song of Solomon has been subject to a broader range of interpretation probably than any other book in the Bible. While scholars openly disagree on much of the Song, all will agree that it's a truly tough text. Wisdom Literature expert Doug O'Donnell offers this comprehensible guide to help uncoil its complexities and solve its riddles. Exploring the poetry, themes, and wisdom of this song from a Christocentric perspective, O'Donnell elucidates on the greatest subject of all time--love--showing how this "song of songs" is meant to teach us about biblical sexuality, human love, and God's heart for his people.

Genres: Christianity, Theology, Reference, Christian, Old Testament, Marriage

192 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 2012

About the author

Doug O'Donnell is the Senior VP of Bible Publishing at Crossway Books. He has authored or edited over a dozen books, including commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew, the Song of Songs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and 1-3 John. He earned his PhD from the University of Aberdeen.

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of the better volumes in this series. It has more of a feel of an actual commentary than just the republished sermons of a pastor than the other books in the series. There are some really helpful sections. However he takes the view that this is primarily about sex not about Christ and the church, which severely restricts it and leaves quite a lot of it feeling like eisegesis. Secondly, I've never read a commentary with the phrase 'deflowering her vagina' and tbh I'm not sure I'm that keen to.

[Loraena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last fall I took a class on Biblical hermeneutics and we had a discussion on canonicity and I learned that throughout the history of the church, Song of Solomon has been one of the most challenged books in the cannon. For whatever reason, it got me thinking and I wanted to study this oft-neglected book from a deeper level than just reading through as usual. I found this commentary and am so glad I did. O'Donnell is very thoughtful and tasteful, yet does not shy away from the subject matter. He graciously takes to task those who claim the book is a sex manual and says more accurately, it is an example of how we are meant to feel and emotionally respond as humans in sexual matters.

O'Donnel believes Solomon is likely the author, but definitely not a character in the story. He believes the couple in the story could be fictional or real, but that Solomon intends to show the beauty of committed love - how it COULD have been for him, had he himself chosen a better path. He also believes the book is a literal song, more specifically a musical or operetta of sorts that was divided into acts and sung by professional singers (male & female soloists with chorus) over the course of a 7-day wedding feast.

One of his most intriguing insights, I thought, is his observation that Song of Solomon is the counterpart to Proverbs. Where Proverbs speaks primarily to young men with all the "my son" verbiage, this speaks primarily to young women, often directly addressing the "daughters of Jerusalem" from the voice of a more experienced peer.

There were many other interesting and helpful things I could ramble on about, but I'd rather everyone just read it. Maybe it's just me, but I find it a bit ironic that one the most neglected and controversial books in the canon of scripture is on the topic of female sexuality and marital intimacy. I also find it personally encouraging that one of the longest uninterrupted female voices in scripture (if not THE longest) is on this topic as well.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

O'Donnell shares a fantastic commentary on Song of Solomon in this installment of the Preaching the Word series. The text is broken down onto 10 chapters, following the chronology of the Song. I so appreciated the depth provided via sound interpretation, as well as the application to relationships/marriage and the connections to Christ and the wider narrative of the Bible.

This was my first experience with this series, which I had assume based on its title was not necessarily for a lay Bible studier, but I'll be working through more entries soon (and knowing myself, probably reading them all)

Format: E-Book, via Hoopla
Rating: 5 stars
Book 22 of 20250

[Moses Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first commentary I have ever read on the Songs of Solomon but I found it to be very balanced in regards to the sexual ethics of the Bible and the authors tone reflected the intention of the Songs in that sex, in the right context, is a thing of joy!! The author also tied in the Gospel and Christ so that it is understood in the light Christ. Very pastoral, scholarly where he needs to be and a good bit of humor too!! If you're studying or gonna preach the Songs you need this in your shelf!!

[Nathaniel Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well crafted commentary on a very beautiful but challenging to interpret song. The author does a superb job of highlighting the song as a song, then as a song between a woman and a man passionately joined in marriage. The meditations are glorious. He contrasts the song with the modern culture, and even critiques the church in how we talk of sex (or more accurately how little we talk about it other than don’t do it). He also does a great job showing how the song whispers of Jesus. Rather than interpreting the song as an allegory where the woman is the church and the man is Jesus, he simply shows how the language and themes of the text blends itself with the language and themes of the other Scriptures that lead us to Jesus. The longing and desire for sexual intimacy between wife and husband points to the ultimate intimacy found between Jesus, the groom, and the church, his waiting bride. This song isn’t being interpreted properly if it is not first embraced as the beauty of love, intimacy, and sex enjoyed between a committed wife and husband. And such passionate desire will lead to Christ as all the Scriptures do, so says Jesus. I highly recommend this commentary in its execution of that interpretation.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully and tastefully written, (yet pulling no punches when it comes to the blunt meaning of the texts) Douglas shows that Song Of Solomon is about sex in marriage the way God intended it. I would highly recommend it for young people (not too young) that are planning marriage. The world has tainted sexuality and made it something it was never intended which is so tragic. I think if more people understood just how beautiful it could be, they just might be willing to skip the world’s way and do things God’s way. Douglas explains all of this very well.

[Aaron Battey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. A great book for all single people to read. O’Donnell classifies Proverbs as Gods book of wisdom for boys and Song of Solomon as His book of wisdom for girls, and I think he makes a good case for this. It’s a song about purity and joy in the context of marriage. It demonstrates to virgins the others pleasure of sexual fulfillment within a God honoring marriage, and it warns against giving away one’s purity until the time is right, until marriage. It’s essentially a poem, a song, written to virgins to wait for marriage. You won’t regret it.

[Garry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Application-heavy commentary. It is obvious that the author was operating from a strong structural-analysis heavy foundation, but choose not to share much of that with his audience. I cannot tell if that hurt or helped the book.
The commentary holds S of S to be an interaction with the romantic relationship between husband and wife. There are some further theological/eschatological applications.

[Katrina Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not agree with everything all his interpretations, but the book is full of practical applications. Great book for married couples to read.

[Joshua Harney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this personal, practical, and balanced approach to the Song.

[Andrew Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is interpreting the Song done right.

[Peter Krol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch commentary. Really insightful into both the text and how to teach it. O'Donnell ministered to me personally, and he inspired me to be more faithful in teaching this text myself.

[Wassenario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Very much appreciated the parallel of this book written to young women and Proverbs for young men

[Michael Abraham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book's filled with specific pastoral application. O'Donnell also interacts with a variety of views on interpretation of the book.

[Richard Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I led a Bible Study on the Song of Songs with all members quite mature, chronologically and spiritually. I selected this resource as having a good balance in its approach. Mr. O'Donnell was unafraid to tackle the obvious allusions and outright frank language as meaning what they say. He incorporated a good balance of "spiritualizing" that focused on Scriptures use of marriage as a metaphor, especially Christ and His Church.

My only complaint is that his final product ran on a bit. The Song itself is a bit repetitive so that is a factor. I think a good example of his "padding" the book is that Mr. O'Donnell took two chapters to discuss the last few verses of the Song.

[Mark Centers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for pastors and laymen. Devotional and convicting. a few interpretational chioces that I differ on but nothing a major. enjoyed it very much. it helped highlight areas of my life that are yet under the Lordship of Christ.

[Rev. House · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are very few commentaries that are engaging and enthralling enough to read cover-to-cover, like a novel. This is one of them.