Solomon's Song of Songs
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine (Song of Songs 1:2)
A while back, I read the Old Testament story, the Song of Solomon, which is also known as the Song of Songs. This lyrical poem in dialogue form, describes Solomon's love for a Shulamite girl and how he woos, wins and weds her.
What I liked about the Song of Solomon is that you're given a 'he said, she said and she thinks' perspective of their developing relationship and what's it like to fall in love and have that love reciprocated. There is passion and romance in this book of the Bible, especially in the words spoken by Solomon to his Shulamite bride on their wedding night
How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice! Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like that of Lebanon...(Song of Solomon 4:10-11).
Oh my!!!
The notes in my Bible does indicate however, that at the point when Solomon is wooing and wedding the Shulamite girl, Solomon already has 140 wives and concubines (Song of Solomon 6:8) and that after this particular marriage, he would have many more wives and concubines (see 1 Kings 11:3). But the Shulamite girl was very special to him, for it is only the Shulamite girl that Solomon writes about so beautifully, recording the only (or virtually the only) pure romance he had.
You have taken me to a beautiful place. Where I take escapes that a wonderfully romantic and full of love.