Welcome, dear readers, to a concise and comprehensive Book of Song of Solomon summary by chapter. The Song of Solomon, a beautiful book in the Bible, is filled with poetic verses. It captures the dialogue between Solomon and his beloved. It’s my joy to share with you a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of this exquisite piece of Biblical literature.
Read: The Book of Ecclesiastes Summary by Chapter (1-12)
Table of Contents
The Book of Song of Solomon Summary by Chapter
Chapter 1 – Longing for Embrace
In this first chapter, the Shulammite woman expresses her deep affection and love for King Solomon. She speaks highly of his kisses and how delightful his love is. She’s drawn to him and yearns for him to take her away.
The Shulammite describes herself as dark-skinned and lovely but feels unattractive because of working under the sun. She asks where Solomon is so she can find him. They exchange compliments; Solomon admires her beauty and likens her to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots. She responds with adoration, talking about the fragrances and ornaments that remind her of him.
Chapter 2 – Blossoming Love
The Shulammite compares herself to a rose or a lily among thorns, and Solomon responds by likening her to a lily among thorns. She describes sitting with Solomon in his banquet hall, feeling loved. His left arm is under her head and his right arm embraces her.
They share poetic expressions of their love. She talks about how his love is exhilarating and asks the daughters of Jerusalem not to awaken love until it so desires. She then recounts a moment where she hears Solomon’s voice as he approaches, leaping across mountains, and calling her to join him because the winter is over and flowers have appeared.
Chapter 3 – Searching and Finding
In chapter 3, the Shulammite narrates her search for Solomon during the night in her bed. She keeps searching until she finds him. She holds him and takes him to her mother’s house.
Solomon makes a grand entry into Jerusalem on a palanquin made of the finest wood, with sixty warriors around him. His appearance is like a king ready for his wedding day, with a crown that his mother has given him. This section radiates with royal beauty and admiration.
Chapter 4 – Unveiling Beauty
Chapter 4 opens with Solomon expressing his admiration for his beloved. He praises her eyes, hair, teeth, and lips. He speaks of her as flawless and full of love that overwhelms him.
The Shulammite is likened to a garden locked up, a fountain sealed. Solomon then speaks of the delightful garden, describing various fruits, plants, and fragrances. He invites the winds to blow on this garden so its fragrance can spread. The Shulammite then invites Solomon to enter this garden and enjoy its fruits.
Chapter 5 – Miscommunication and Longing
Chapter 5 begins with Solomon acknowledging that he has entered the garden and tasted its fruits. The Shulammite then recounts a dream where she hears Solomon knocking at her door but hesitates to open. When she finally opens, he is gone.
She searches for him but does not find him. The watchmen find her and beat her. She asks the daughters of Jerusalem to tell Solomon that she is lovesick. The daughters ask how her beloved is better than others, and she describes his dazzling appearance and character.
Chapter 6 – Rekindled Love
The sixth chapter starts with the daughters of Jerusalem asking where Solomon has gone. The Shulammite replies that he has gone to his garden. Solomon then speaks, praising the Shulammite’s beauty once again.
He speaks of her as fair, pleasant, and captivating. The Shulammite recounts how she went to the garden to see if the vines and pomegranates were in bloom. There, she says her soul was overwhelmed as the people around started to bless and praise their union. She asserts that she belongs to her beloved and her beloved is hers.
Chapter 7 – Overflowing Adoration
As we venture into chapter 7, Solomon cannot contain his adoration for the Shulammite. He praises her feet, rounded thighs, navel, waist, breasts, neck, eyes, and nose. He likens her to a palm tree and says he wants to climb it and grasp its fruit. He talks about her stature and compares it to a palm tree and her breasts to its clusters.
The Shulammite then invites Solomon to come out to the countryside and spend the night in the villages, where they can enjoy each other’s company among the vineyards. She wants to give him her love when the mandrakes give their fragrance and the best fruits are at the door.
Chapter 8 – A Seal of Love
In the final chapter, chapter 8, the Shulammite wishes she could freely show her love for Solomon in public. She yearns to kiss him without the disdain of others. She reflects on when she first captured his heart, and when he first gave her his.
She speaks of love as strong as death, with jealousy as relentless as the grave. She says love is a blazing fire, like a mighty flame, and cannot be quenched or drowned. The Shulammite expresses her desire to be a seal over Solomon’s heart and arm, symbolizing unyielding love.
Finally, Solomon and the Shulammite make plans to go to the vineyard and see if the vines are budding. She says if they find new shoots, they will enjoy the early fruits together. The book ends with the Shulammite bidding Solomon to hurry to her like a gazelle or young stag on the mountains of spices.
Read also: Summary of the Book of Isaiah Chapter by Chapter
In Conclusion
There you have it, a chapter-by-chapter summary of the Book of Song of Solomon. This poetic book in the Bible paints the beautiful picture of love between King Solomon and the Shulammite woman. Through their poetic dialogue, we witness the beauty, passion, and depth of their love. I hope this summary has been enlightening and enjoyable. May your heart be warmed by the intensity of the love depicted in this piece of scripture. I encourage you to read the text in full.
