Song 1:1-4 KJV
The song of songs, which is Solomon’s. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
- Love is better than wine
There are two ways to picture the words of the Shunamite girl. If we take the comments of Dakes Finnis that the Shunamite girl was taken away by Solomon from her lover, then we will observe a girl who despite all the riches and splendor of the Kingdom, of which Solomon was king, set before her yet was not pleased nor satisfied. Although all the wine and spiced meats were set before her, she had a longing for something the king could not offer her. Although, the king could try to love this girl, she would not be satisfied until her true love was found.
Are there not many women who are locked up or have been tied to a man they do not love? The man would offer everything from clothes to houses; cars and shoes and all the treasures of the world but its as if nothing had been done. Perhaps her true love has not been found.
Many today try to put temporary satisfaction in the place of love. The deep need of their hearts is for true love which only Christ can offer, but they wander in the thick forest of pleasure thinking in it they will find love. Love is the only thing that satisfies the soul and the heart will not rest until it is found.
Permit me, therefore, to introduce you again to the one who truly loves you; the man who came from heaven as an helpless babe born in a manger to veil his glory. Born not of the seed of man so that he would not bear sin like every man but was born of the power of the Holy Spirit that he may be fit to be the substitute sacrificial lamb of God for the sin of man. He at the set time was crucified for sin, not as a sinner, but the sin of all of mankind was laid upon him, to satisfy the punishment for sin which is death. He died on the cross and was buried but on the third day was raised from the dead by the power of God never to die again. He has since ascended to heaven and waits, seated at the right hand of God for the day of His return for those who have received His love. What manner of love is this that a man should die for His enemies? This is the love of Him whose love is better than anything this world has to offer.
The second way to picture the situation of the Shunamite girl is to see this lover as Solomon the king.
It would seem then that although the Shunamite has been brought into the chambers of the king, she had not had the attention of the king. Like many of the wives and concubines of Solomon, many hardly had the attention of this busy king. Solomon was indeed busy; with 1000 women in his life, he was really busy; with the kingdom projects in his hands and the administration of the Kingdom of Israel to run, he cannot but be busy. You can just imagine the schedule of Solomon; his palace was ever booming with emissaries from different nations who wanted to have a glimpse of the glory God had bestowed on him.
Perhaps, it was in the midst of all these that the Shunamite girl was brought in. Much as she wanted to be with the king, it was wine and meats that she got. Her soul longed for the time when the king would just have a spare time to be with her. As she drank the wine, her thoughts were deep in her desires to be with the king.
Whatever the picture we choose about the situation, it is the same result. The Shunamite could not be content with more wine when her heart’s desire for her true love had not been found. All the fanfare and funfair in the ancient palace of Solomon could not satisfy the deep need of her heart for love.
Have you found your true love in Christ? Are you satisfied with Him now? Can you say like the Shunamite, “Your love oh Lord is more delightful, sweeter and better than wine?”