Reading: Reflections (Video Slides)

#29 Reflections on Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs as Marking the Developments in Solomon’s Life

The “Solomon” Trilogy?

• While the connections with Solomon in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs are mostly indirect, his name and circumstances are linked to each. What might this indicate?
• One possibility:
  - Proverbs emerges from the young Solomon who displayed much wisdom and colored Israel’s international character because of it
  - Ecclesiastes might emerge from the reminiscences of an old Solomon who realized much of his later-life folly, and was trying to recover a sense of self and wisdom
  - Song of Songs could be the work of someone after Solomon died who created a morality play about love based on the failings of the great king