Who wrote Song of Solomon?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible identifies Solomon as the author of the Song of Solomon, beginning with the opening words, “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s” (Song of Solomon 1:1). This authorship is supported by Scripture’s description of Solomon as a prolific songwriter who composed 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32) and by the book’s repeated references to Solomon’s name, royal identity, and wisdom tradition (Song of Solomon 1:5; 3:7, 9, 11; 8:11–12). Through this poetic celebration of love, Solomon presents God’s beautiful design for covenantal marriage, highlighting faithfulness, intimacy, commitment, and the exclusive love between a husband and wife (Song of Solomon 2:16; 6:3; 8:6–7). However, Solomon’s own life reveals a sobering contrast: the man who wrote about faithful love later turned away from God’s design through his many wives and their influence on his heart (1 Kings 11:1–3). His story reminds us that knowing God’s wisdom is not the same as living according to it, because truth transforms us only when it is applied. The tragedy of Solomon’s life is that he knew the path to flourishing but failed to walk in it. The Song of Solomon calls us to live by God's design for marriage and intimacy because that is where true life and flourishing are found.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Song of Solomon itself attributes authorship to Solomon. The opening verse states: “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s” (Song of Solomon 1:1). This is the clearest statement of authorship in the text. While some scholars debate whether Solomon personally wrote every line, whether the work was later preserved and arranged, or whether the Song of Solomon was written for Solomon, it is most likely that Solomon is the author.
  
• Solomon’s reputation as a songwriter supports his authorship. Scripture describes Solomon as a prolific writer of songs: “He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005” (1 Kings 4:32). The Song of Solomon fits within this description of Solomon’s wisdom and literary work.
  
• Song of Solomon reflects a royal setting consistent with Solomon’s life. The Song contains references to royal imagery, wealth, gardens, spices, vineyards, and a kingly court (Song of Solomon 3:6–11; 6:8–9).
• Solomon’s name appears throughout the book (Song of Solomon 1:5; 3:7, 9, 11; 8:11–12), connecting the work to Israel’s king.
  
• Song of Solomon reflects the wisdom tradition associated with Solomon (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon). Like Proverbs, Song of Solomon explores God’s wise design for human relationships, love, wisdom, and faithful living.
  
• Solomon’s personal life provides the historical background for the book. Solomon had many wives and concubines (1 Kings 11:3), which raises questions about how the Song’s picture of exclusive marital love fits with his later life. Still, the Song of Solomon itself celebrates faithful, passionate, covenantal love between a man and a woman (Song of Solomon 2:16; 6:3; 8:6–7), reflecting God's design for marriage rather than Solomon’s later disobedience.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Though the New Testament does not reference Solomon's Song of Solomon, it affirms Solomon’s role as a biblical figure associated with wisdom. Jesus referred to Solomon’s greatness and wisdom: “The queen of the South came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon”(Matthew 12:42). 
  
• Jesus recognized Solomon’s historical identity as Israel’s king. Jesus referenced Solomon’s glory and splendor: “Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Matthew 6:29).
• The New Testament confirms that Scripture comes from God, regardless of the human author. All Scripture is described as “breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16).Human authors wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit: “Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). Therefore, even though Solomon is identified as the human author, God is the ultimate Author of the Song of Solomon.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

One of the most striking things about Song of Solomon is that Solomon wrote beautifully about God’s design for faithful, covenantal love, yet his own life veered far off from that design (1 Kings 11:1–3). Solomon understood the wisdom of God’s plan but failed to follow it. This serves as a warning to us that knowing God’s truth is not the same as living it. We can know what is right while still allowing our hearts to wander.

But following God's design is where life and true flourishing are found. His commands regarding marriage, relationships, and holiness are not meant to take away joy but to protect and cultivate the life He created us to experience. When we follow God’s wisdom, we find the freedom, intimacy, and purpose He intended. But when we believe we know better than God, we will experience the consequences of stepping outside His good design.

Song of Solomon calls us not only to admire God’s wisdom but to submit to it. The goal is not merely to know what God says about love, faithfulness, and relationships, but to embrace it and live it out. Like Solomon, we need the humility to recognize that wisdom must lead to obedience because following God's ways is where true life and flourishing are found.

UNDERSTAND

• Solomon wrote the Song of Solomon, and the book itself identifies him as the author.
  
• The Song of Solomon reveals God’s beautiful design for covenantal love and marriage.
  
• Solomon’s life shows that knowing God’s wisdom is not enough—we must live by it.
  

REFLECT

• How does Song of Solomon’s picture of covenantal love, faithfulness, and intimacy challenge or reshape the way you understand God’s design for relationships and marriage?
• Like Solomon, how might you be tempted to know and appreciate God’s wisdom about love and relationships while failing to live according to it?
• How can you grow in trusting that God’s design for marriage, intimacy, and relationships is good and is where flourishing is found?

ENGAGE

• What does Song of Solomon reveal about God’s good design for love, marriage, and intimacy, and how does that contrast with the way our culture often defines these things?
• What warning can we take from the fact that Solomon wrote about faithful, covenantal love while his own life later drifted from God’s design?
• How can we encourage each other not only to know God’s Word but to take it to heart and faithfully live it out?