What do you think?
Rate this book
Transformed by Love: The Story of the Song of Solomon
King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, called this his 'Song of Songs.' But through the centuries many have struggled to make sense of it. Who is the mysterious woman with whom the king is so in love? What is her story - and why is it in the Bible?
In this devotional exposition and modern English translation, we follow the heart-searching highs and lows of their relationship as we unravel the answers to these questions. We see how lovingly and patiently Solomon wins her heart and confidence until finally, freed from her past, she becomes the magnificent queen that he first saw her to be.
But what of Solomon himself? He is not what we would expect: at heart a shepherd, an adventurer, a lover of wild, open spaces. And as the story progresses we come to understand the prophetic significance of Solomon's vision of the 'shepherd king' - and why his attempts to fulfill it himself caused his downfall. Yet, more importantly, we see how perfectly it is fulfilled, and all out deepest needs met, in the ultimate 'Good Shepherd' and 'King of Love, ' Jesus Christ.
In this devotional exposition and modern English translation, we follow the heart-searching highs and lows of their relationship as we unravel the answers to these questions. We see how lovingly and patiently Solomon wins her heart and confidence until finally, freed from her past, she becomes the magnificent queen that he first saw her to be.
But what of Solomon himself? He is not what we would expect: at heart a shepherd, an adventurer, a lover of wild, open spaces. And as the story progresses we come to understand the prophetic significance of Solomon's vision of the 'shepherd king' - and why his attempts to fulfill it himself caused his downfall. Yet, more importantly, we see how perfectly it is fulfilled, and all out deepest needs met, in the ultimate 'Good Shepherd' and 'King of Love, ' Jesus Christ.
- GenresChristian
124 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2012
3 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Kevin King
1 book5 followersRaised in a family with a churchgoing mother and an unbelieving father, by the time I reached my mid teens, I had given up on Christianity as a dead loss. I had tried it - even let the bishop lay his hands on me - but it hadn't worked. And morally, my life was on a definite downward slide.
I was fascinated with science and my ambition was to become curator of reptiles at a major zoo. But the more I learned of science the more I found it incredible to suggest that our own astounding complexity, and that of the world we live in, was the result of mere chance.
Then a series of 'God-encounters' persuaded me, one step at a time, that there really was a God of some kind, then that there was more to Christianity than I had supposed, and finally that Jesus really was alive and still doing miracles today.
Knowing a commitment to this Jesus would cost me my entire life, not to mention forcing me to admit the mess my life was in, I tried to think of a good reason for rejecting the evidence I'd seen: but couldn't. It was the biggest decision I ever made in my life; and at times has landed me in some pretty difficult situations: but it is the one big decision in my life that I have never once regretted.
I have now been a church leader and Bible teacher for nearly 40 years, and have had the opportunity to visit and minister in various parts of the world, sometimes in places where following Jesus can literally cost your life. But this life goes on getting better. I have seen the incurably lame walk again, the blind seeing and many other miracles. Now I'm starting to understand that this isn't just something that Jesus does with a few specially chosen ones - He wants to do it with me, and you, and anyone who is prepared to put their trust in Him.
Where will it end? Only in heaven. And that's where the real excitement starts...
I was fascinated with science and my ambition was to become curator of reptiles at a major zoo. But the more I learned of science the more I found it incredible to suggest that our own astounding complexity, and that of the world we live in, was the result of mere chance.
Then a series of 'God-encounters' persuaded me, one step at a time, that there really was a God of some kind, then that there was more to Christianity than I had supposed, and finally that Jesus really was alive and still doing miracles today.
Knowing a commitment to this Jesus would cost me my entire life, not to mention forcing me to admit the mess my life was in, I tried to think of a good reason for rejecting the evidence I'd seen: but couldn't. It was the biggest decision I ever made in my life; and at times has landed me in some pretty difficult situations: but it is the one big decision in my life that I have never once regretted.
I have now been a church leader and Bible teacher for nearly 40 years, and have had the opportunity to visit and minister in various parts of the world, sometimes in places where following Jesus can literally cost your life. But this life goes on getting better. I have seen the incurably lame walk again, the blind seeing and many other miracles. Now I'm starting to understand that this isn't just something that Jesus does with a few specially chosen ones - He wants to do it with me, and you, and anyone who is prepared to put their trust in Him.
Where will it end? Only in heaven. And that's where the real excitement starts...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 26, 2014
This is one of the best books I think I've read of Songs of Solomon.
Why is this not preached from the pulpit more? I swear if we used this book as the author has explored it, based on the pillar of truth, there would be more success in terms of our relationships and most important our relationship with God.
The author is clearly very well studied in this book, you can feel he has taken the time to ask questions, to think about what the inspired word of God is really saying here and explore's confidently this much ignored or misunderstood book.
All I asked in church once was a few questions regarding Songs of Solomon and the looks of disgust I got. Anybody would have thought I had asked something really naughty when this is an amazing book regarding how God pursues the one he loves and how we ought to respond with Him, our first love.
It was so interesting, I found out so many new things that when I went away thought about it and researched, it really shed new light on subjects and situations. It also raised questions I haven't thought of before and were actually staring me in the face as a reader of the Word of God, but they were expanded in a thoughtful and honest way.
I really liked the way the author broke everything down for me as a reader. There were questions highlighted, answered to the best of his ability and not force fed to you, I felt I had the freedom as a reader to think for myself. Throughout the book, everything is backed up with scripture which I think is always best and he adds personal notes which I thought was just a mature touch to a book some, oddly, blush from.
I felt encouraged and hopeful as I came [sadly] to the end of this book and really feels it does have the gift to draw you back to Jesus if you need those flames fanned once again.
This book can not be read through quickly, I recommend sitting down taking your time, pray and take notes.
Many thanks to the author for sharing this work,
This is in exchange for a honest review.
Why is this not preached from the pulpit more? I swear if we used this book as the author has explored it, based on the pillar of truth, there would be more success in terms of our relationships and most important our relationship with God.
The author is clearly very well studied in this book, you can feel he has taken the time to ask questions, to think about what the inspired word of God is really saying here and explore's confidently this much ignored or misunderstood book.
All I asked in church once was a few questions regarding Songs of Solomon and the looks of disgust I got. Anybody would have thought I had asked something really naughty when this is an amazing book regarding how God pursues the one he loves and how we ought to respond with Him, our first love.
It was so interesting, I found out so many new things that when I went away thought about it and researched, it really shed new light on subjects and situations. It also raised questions I haven't thought of before and were actually staring me in the face as a reader of the Word of God, but they were expanded in a thoughtful and honest way.
I really liked the way the author broke everything down for me as a reader. There were questions highlighted, answered to the best of his ability and not force fed to you, I felt I had the freedom as a reader to think for myself. Throughout the book, everything is backed up with scripture which I think is always best and he adds personal notes which I thought was just a mature touch to a book some, oddly, blush from.
I felt encouraged and hopeful as I came [sadly] to the end of this book and really feels it does have the gift to draw you back to Jesus if you need those flames fanned once again.
This book can not be read through quickly, I recommend sitting down taking your time, pray and take notes.
Many thanks to the author for sharing this work,
This is in exchange for a honest review.
December 30, 2014
King's exposition of the Song of Solomon is wonderful. With candor, simplicity, humor, and sincerity, King unpacks and reminds us to return to the wellspring of our first love.
Often in the circles that I run in, the Song of Solomon HAS to fall in a certain category. It's a poetic symbolic analogy of the relationship with Christ and His Church. Or, it's a narrative of King Solomon and the Shulamite bride. However, King blends these two views into, using the illustration of the love of a man and a woman and how that love relates to Christ's love for us.
Throughout this book, the reader cannot helped but be reminded of the love that God has for us and the love we ought to reciprocate for each other. I found myself having to evaluate my own lifestyle and found it lacking. After all, and the author warns us of this, sometimes I get caught up in doing the Lord's work instead of basking in His presence and His love. True, we should spread the word of God but the Lord wants and longs for a deeper intimacy with us.
King does a magnificent job urging Christians who have walked away from their first love to receive and by using the Song of Solomon, he adeptly illustrates to us the best way we can do that.
Often in the circles that I run in, the Song of Solomon HAS to fall in a certain category. It's a poetic symbolic analogy of the relationship with Christ and His Church. Or, it's a narrative of King Solomon and the Shulamite bride. However, King blends these two views into, using the illustration of the love of a man and a woman and how that love relates to Christ's love for us.
Throughout this book, the reader cannot helped but be reminded of the love that God has for us and the love we ought to reciprocate for each other. I found myself having to evaluate my own lifestyle and found it lacking. After all, and the author warns us of this, sometimes I get caught up in doing the Lord's work instead of basking in His presence and His love. True, we should spread the word of God but the Lord wants and longs for a deeper intimacy with us.
King does a magnificent job urging Christians who have walked away from their first love to receive and by using the Song of Solomon, he adeptly illustrates to us the best way we can do that.
January 10, 2015
Kevin King is passionate about his subject. His enthusiasm graces this book like a refreshing breeze. This book makes me think of a Bible book study. It contains many insights into the Shunamite woman and her relationship with King Solomon depicted in the story found in the Old Testament book, The Song of Songs. King describes the Shunamite woman's insecurities, emotions, and the dynamics between the characters in the story. He writes their love story in conjunction with a second love story, a person's relationship with Jesus Christ and the God-head. Transformed by Love reads like a teacher teaching an important lesson to a student. The message to be gained is this--that one can be transformed by love, the love of Jesus, a process that occurs over time and through circumstances. The awareness of true love begins a process of change which transforms the person's perception of self. I particularly enjoyed the depiction of Jesus and His work in His beloved children. The only difficulty I found with this book is that the text reads somewhat awkwardly because it jumps between three different "thought" voices--although this doesn't detract from the message of the book.
January 9, 2015
I have an keen interest in the study of Biblical creation and Biblical prophecy. As a result of this, I have a tendency to leave other parts of the Bible unlearned.
That is why I started to read Transformed by Love, which describes the Song of Solomon. with a keen interest. It did not disappoint.
The best way to teach the Bible is a three-step process. It starts by reading the verse or verses you are going to discuss. The second step is to explain the meaning of it based on the chronological and geographic terminology. Finally, explain how it relates to modern life.
Kevin King does a great job in all three phases. This made the book a very enjoyable and informative read and an excellent demonstration of spiritual growth.
That is why I started to read Transformed by Love, which describes the Song of Solomon. with a keen interest. It did not disappoint.
The best way to teach the Bible is a three-step process. It starts by reading the verse or verses you are going to discuss. The second step is to explain the meaning of it based on the chronological and geographic terminology. Finally, explain how it relates to modern life.
Kevin King does a great job in all three phases. This made the book a very enjoyable and informative read and an excellent demonstration of spiritual growth.
November 20, 2014
I'm completely biased, of course, as I wrote this book out of an overwhelming experience of God's love for me. But don't just take my word for it. The following review extracts are from amazon.co.uk:
But how shall I compare it with the classic books I've listed on my 'song-of-solomon' bookshelf?
Most of these books begin from the assumption that the Song is an allegory of the relationship between Jesus and those who put their trust in him. I agree that it is and I love the wonderful expositions by these authors. But when Solomon first penned these words he had little understanding of what lay so far in the future. So my aim has been to first understand the story as Solomon describes it, and only then to reflect upon its prophetic and personal significance for both Solomon and ourselves.
It is a truly amazing story; and I pray that it will bless you as profoundly as it has blessed me.
'A must read book I highly recommend.' George Parrott (pastor)
'... intimate and beautifully written.' Katherine Babcock
'I have always struggled with reading this book of the bible ... The book is easy to read and understand...' Amazon Customer
'I would encourage anyone wanting to read or study the Song of Songs, to buy this book because you will learn so much and it will bless you.' Mrs. Jackson-hatton
'"Transformed by Love" is the best explanation of the Song of Songs I have ever read.' Carole Leah (Authoress)
But how shall I compare it with the classic books I've listed on my 'song-of-solomon' bookshelf?
Most of these books begin from the assumption that the Song is an allegory of the relationship between Jesus and those who put their trust in him. I agree that it is and I love the wonderful expositions by these authors. But when Solomon first penned these words he had little understanding of what lay so far in the future. So my aim has been to first understand the story as Solomon describes it, and only then to reflect upon its prophetic and personal significance for both Solomon and ourselves.
It is a truly amazing story; and I pray that it will bless you as profoundly as it has blessed me.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews