SOLOMON'S SONG OF LOVE: Let a Song of Songs Inspire Your Own Romantic Story

Evangelical scholar Glickman has spent years studying the Song of Solomon, an investment that becomes apparent in the intricate cultural, historical and poetic detail he shares in this book. Glickman says that the poem, purportedly written by King Solomon to his bride Shulimath in celebration of their love, is more about openness to love itself than it is about mere physical pleasure, as is sometimes assumed. Glickman wonders aloud if Solomon ever truly experienced this rare love with Shulimath, "or only glimpsed the ideals he expressed in his Song." In either case, he says, Solomon paints a vivid picture of idyllic romantic courtship and physical consummation. Glickman carefully dissects each section of the song, and invites the reader to enter in to the intimacies Solomon enjoys with Shulimath via his generous, thoughtful commentary. Citing just a few of the song's lessons, Glickman shares some of the qualities of real love: love deepens through hardships, is jump-started by mutual shared delight, is a close companion with pain, is constant, vigorous and enduring, and binds lovers to one another. Although this book is an excellent commentary on Solomon, it's not exactly the romantic "how-to" guide that seems to be promised in the subtitle. Still, Glickman's work, which concludes with a hefty section on the design and translation of this song, is sure to engage readers' minds as they rediscover Solomon's timeless song of love. (Jan. 13)