Many people wrongly put Solomon’s sins that happened at the end of his life as characteristic of his whole life from start to finish (this is called eisegeting the text or the process of interpreting a text or portion of text in such a way that the process introduces one’s own presuppositions, agendas, or biases into the Song and ought not to be done), therefore he is sleeping with all his wives all his life and then conclude that Solomon in the Song must be the bad lustful king. And then interpret Solomon’s words and actions reading his sinful life into the text rather than what the text is saying itself. Like king Solomons name was better than any other, king of kings, and that he was the chief among ten thousand. This sounds like the perfect guy encouraging his wife he loves by complimenting her inner beauty and not a bad guy wooing her away from her shepherd lover.
There are two main more literal views of the Songs of Songs. One view has Solomon courting and marrying his bride. The other has a shepherd marrying his and her true love all the while Solomon is trying to woo her away from your true shepherd lover. (commonly called the trio) I will examine these two views. It all depends on where you start. What absolute truths do you start with.
Red corresponds to red, blue to blue. View 1 and their reasoning and view two (the trio theory). View 1 and 2 agree at some points but view 2 reads the information about Solomon’s sinful life into the Song to account for what they see as “flattery”
View 1. Solomon is in the Song of Songs. Solomon slept with his many wives when he was old. The true lover in the Song is perfect and young, see the brides description of her lover Solomon the king Song 5:10-16 and Song 1:2-4 . He loves her faithfully despite her sinning.
View 2. Solomon is in the Song of Songs. Solomon slept with his many wives all his life (in the debated text of Eccl. 2:8 You either interpret it “musical instruments” or “concubines”)therefore Solomon couldn’t be the faithful lover in the Song. The true lover in the Song is perfect. He loves her faithfully despite her sinning.
View 1 Solomon was both king and shepherd Ecc. 2:7
View 2 Solomon is only a king and not also the shepherd in Song 1:8
View 1 Solomon is complimenting his wife’s character also. The inner beauty is liked to an outer appearance of something. In 1:9 its a mare. In 1:10 it is jewels. Song 1:9 is not just a compliment to the outward “dazzling” appearance of a mare in battle harnessed to pharaohs chariot. Is also a compliment to her character because her dazzling appearance is due to her inner beautiful character that is praiseworthy Proverbs 31:28-30 and Would a slow and fearful horse in battle harnessed to a popper look dazzling? Of course not. A swift and fearless horse harnessed to a poor mans wagon? It might look a little odd to some people, but still “dazzling” non the less. It’s the character of the horse in battle that makes the horse worthy of honor and praise for a good husband praises his wives noble character Prov. 31:28-30. This is complimenting and praising not flattery. Her swift fearless pursuit of a close intimate relationship with Solomon was beautiful like a mare in battle for her king.
View 2 Solomon is not complimenting her character, this is an outward compliment only and is Solomon flattering her 1:9-11 away from the shepherd in 1:7.
View 1 Since the Song doesn’t have Solomon flattering but it is him complimenting her inside and out then the Song illustrates how a perfect husband loves in various contexts of a courtship and marriage relationship. You take the Song for how the Song illustrates Solomon’s love. If he is faithful in the Song then he is faithful! You need not read Solomon’s sinful life into the Song, especially since his turning away from God came when “he was old” 1 Kings 11:4
View 2 Solomon is flattering her and since he had many wives he was sex hungry according to Ecclesiastes, but I believe Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes after his rebellion when he was old and at the end of his life.
Conclusion
After 15 years of study I still conclude that it is best to view Solomon courting and marrying the only woman he loved properly, his first wife, whoever that is. The Shulamite, princes of peace in the Song married Solomon and he praises her in accordance with Prov. 31:28-30
For more on her Jewels being a compliment to her inner character and not outward appearance only go to “Adorning jewels are her love and faithfulness around her heart”
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