MARRIAGE: PROSPECTS AND PROBLEMS
I have heard young believers, who asked why the Songs of Solomon should be included as part of the Bible. Let me say very quickly that there is no mistake in the Scripture.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2Tim.3:16-17.
Therefore all the things we will say about marriage will come from the the Songs of Solomon. There are a lot of lessons to learn about marriage from the book.
The Songs of Solomon was written by Solomon. "The song of songs, which is Solomon's." SS.1:1.
He was the king of Israel. "So king Solomon was king over all Israel." 1Kings 4:1.
The king married 700 wives and 300 concubines. "And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart." 1Kings 11:3.
Solomon had a problem with his eyes. He could not just take away his eyes from what he saw. "And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour." Eccl.2:10.
Solomon was a famous king. "And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
"For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his FAME was in all nations round about." 1Kings 4:30-31.
If you are famous like Solomon and you cannot control your eyes, you will end up a polygamist.
Riches, honour, fame and greatness are not excuses for marrying many wives. God told the kings of Israel not marry more than one wife.
Monogamy was one of the qualifications for the king. "When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me." Deut.17:14.
Then one of the conditions outlined by God is monogamy. "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away." Deut.17:17.
One of the evils of polygamy is that it will turn away your heart from God. Don't try it!
Solomon as wise as he was, he backslided. "Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin." Neh.13:26.
Perfection is far away from you once you marry more than one wife.
On the other hand, we see another great man, who learned to be controlling his eyes. His name is Job.
"I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?"
