Benjamin B. Warfield was a world-renowned theologian who taught at Princeton Seminary for almost 34 years until his death on February 16, 1921.  Some say he was one of the finest professors America has ever produced.  He wrote many books and articles, such that his name was a well-known household name for many people.  His articles on the inerrancy of scripture remain very influential in our day today.  But what most people don’t know about was his extraordinary devotion to his wife, Annie, through many years of suffering. 

      In 1876, at the age of twenty-five, he married Annie Pierce Kinkead. The happy couple went on a honeymoon in Germany.  Tragically, they went out for a walk and got caught in a terrible thunderstorm.  Annie was hit by lightning and permanently paralyzed. She was greatly affected both mentally and physically.  She ended up being an invalid for the rest of her life.  For the next 40 years, Warfield gently cared for his wife every day.  In fact, he basically stayed in Princeton for the rest of their marriage, leaving home only for an hour or two, at the most, mainly to walk to school, teach his students for an hour and then walk back home, so he could care for her.  

     As a result, they never got to go on vacation, never could have kids and while he was offered many chances to become an international speaker, he refused that so he could take care of his wife.   He would set aside time every day to read to Annie.  People in town said Warfield had two great interests in life: his work and Mrs. Warfield.  Theirs was a shattered dream, right after they were married! 

  How unlike too many marriages today where surveys show that when one spouse gets a serious illness or they have a child that will require lots of care, one of the spouses walks out.  Annie was never healed, in this life. But in his tender affection and spectacular patience and faithfulness, through what was never planned, at least not planned by man, the Warfields demonstrated one of the final statements in this Song of Songs: ‘Many waters cannot quench love, for love is as strong as death.’  8:6,7

    God in His perfect wisdom, inspired Solomon to write this and God wanted it included in the Scriptures.   So, since it’s in the bible we then know as 2 Tim.3 says, that all scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.   So, we come to understand that this book has two primary themes.  One, it shows us what an ideal relationship, especially a marriage relationship can be like.  Second, the things written teach us, symbolize for us, inspires us to see something else;  that that kind of perfect marriage relationship is like the kind of relationship God wants to have with us!  Amazing!