Song of Songs. Ecclesiastes. Proverbs.

Song of Songs (Song of Solomon)

The Biblical book, Song of Songs (Song of Solomon), is a book about love - the romantic love intimately shared between a husband and his wife.  The author of this book is traditionally thought to be King Solomon; however, many people have argued that this book may have actually been written for Solomon rather than by Solomon.  Regardless of authorship, this book depicts romantic love at its very best.  According to Nelson's Complete Book of Maps and Charts (page 192), the book, Song of Solomon, can be divided neatly into four parts: falling in love/courtship/fostering of love (1:1 - 3:6), united in love/wedding/fulfillment of love (3:6 - 5:2), struggling in love/problem/frustration of love (5:2 - 7:11), and finally growing in love/progress/faithfulness of love (7:11 - 8:14).  This book clearly demonstrates that romantic love is at its ideal best when it is shared between one man and one woman intimately united in marriage.

Ecclesiastes

The Biblical book, Ecclesiastes, is about man's search for the meaning of life.  Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 begins with, "These are the words of the Teacher, King David's son, who ruled in Jerusalem. 'Everything is meaningless,' says the Teacher, 'completely meaningless.'"  Tradition credits King Solomon as being the author of this book; however, some have argued that this book - like the book of Song of Songs - may have actually been written for King Solomon rather than by King Solomon.  Either way, the author writes about his search for the meaning of life.  He pursues the meaning of life from many different angles.  He pursues wisdom.  He pursues pleasure.  He pursues hard work.  He pursues wealth.  Finally, the wisest man who ever lived concludes that, "Everything is meaningless . . . completely meaningless" (Ecclesiastes 12:8).  Fortunately, the author's final conclusion is this: "Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Proverbs

The Biblical book, Proverbs, is a collection of instructions on how to live wisely.  Proverbs 1:1 begins with, "These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel."  Immediately afterward, the author reveals the purpose of Proverbs.  "Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.  These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles" (Proverbs 1:2-6).  This book teaches many things about living wisely such as, "Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline" (Proverbs 1:7) and "Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom.  Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment" (Proverbs 9:10).  Whoever finds Wisdom finds life and receives favor from the LORD; however, those who do not find Wisdom hurt themselves (see Proverbs 8:35-36).