Wednesday Bible Class at Central Haywood Church of Christ · October 7, 2026 · Teacher: Jeff Arnette
Set Apart — The Traditions That Shape God’s People
Lesson 6, Part 3 — The Only One
Scripture: Song of Solomon 6:8–9a; related discussion from Deuteronomy 17:14–17, 1 Kings 11:3, Romans 7, Romans 3:23, and 1 Corinthians 13.
These are summarized companion notes from the recorded teaching, not a verbatim transcript.
Watch the class below.
Class summary
Solomon calls his beloved “the only one” while describing a household of sixty queens, eighty concubines, and young women beyond counting. This class considers the distance between beautiful words and the life that follows them. A person can sincerely mean a promise and still fail to live up to it. Solomon’s story challenges us to recognize that weakness in ourselves, seek God’s help, and show compassion to other people.
Consider the words and the life together
Song of Solomon 6:8–9 places Solomon’s praise beside the realities of his household. The discussion considers the different positions of queens, concubines, and young women in the royal court. Solomon may have meant his praise in that moment, but his later choices did not support a lasting claim of exclusive devotion. Sincerity in a moment does not guarantee faithfulness over time.
Knowing better does not keep us from falling
Long before Solomon became king, Deuteronomy 17 warned that a king must not acquire many wives, lest his heart turn away. First Kings 11:3 records the outcome: Solomon’s wives turned away his heart. His wisdom and knowledge did not protect him from choosing a path God had warned against. The class applies that warning to the gradual way sin can draw us away from what we know is right.
Let Scripture reveal our own weakness
The Bible preserves Solomon’s failures alongside his wisdom. These accounts help us see our own motives and the gap between knowing, speaking, and doing. We may know how to describe a good marriage or a faithful life and still struggle to live it. The discussion connects that struggle with Romans 7 and with the truth that all have sinned and come short of God’s glory.
Depend on Jesus and practice compassion
Our weakness shows why we need a Savior. Recognizing it also helps us respond with compassion when others fail. The class calls us to seek God, make better decisions, forgive others, and forgive ourselves. Understanding human weakness does not excuse wrongdoing; it helps us think carefully about people and respond with the love and compassion Jesus shows.
Class timeline
00:00 — Beginning Song of Solomon 6:8 and discussing promises we mean but fail to keep.
04:21 — Reading Song of Solomon 6:8–9 and considering the phrase “the only one.”
12:20 — Turning to Deuteronomy 17 and God’s warning about many wives.
14:25 — Reading 1 Kings 11:3 and considering Solomon’s later downfall.
25:11 — Why Scripture preserves failures alongside wisdom.
28:48 — The difference between knowing what love looks like and living it.
31:09 — Our need for Jesus and the struggle described in Romans 7.
36:18 — Forgiveness, compassion, and thinking the best of others.
42:56 — Looking ahead to the next part of verse 9.
Reflection and application
Where is there a gap between what you know, what you promise, and what you do? What warning have you heard but found difficult to follow? This week, bring one such struggle to God, choose a concrete step toward faithfulness, and extend thoughtful forgiveness to someone whose intentions have exceeded their actions.