INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 1 In this chapter, after the general title of the book, Song of Solomon 1:1, the church expresses her strong desires, and most ardent wishes, for some fresh discoveries of the love of Christ to her, and for communion with him; having tasted of his love, smelt a sweet... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SONG OF SONGS, WHICH [IS] SOLOMON'S. Wrote by Solomon, king of Israel, as the "amanuensis" of the Holy Ghost; and not by Hezekiah and his men, as the Jews say k: or, "concerning Solomon" l; Christ, of whom Solomon was a type; see Song of Solomon 3:7; of his person, excellencies, love to his chur... [ Continue Reading ]
LET HIM KISS ME WITH THE KISSES OF HIS MOUTH,.... That is, Solomon; Christ, the antitype of Solomon, the church's beloved; or it is a relative without an antecedent, which was only in her own mind, "let him"; him, whom her thoughts were so much employed about; her affections were so strongly after;... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF THE SAVOUR OF THY GOOD OINTMENTS,.... It was usual for lovers to anoint themselves, their hair, garments, c. to commend themselves to each other and it was common to commend each other's ointments, and the grateful smell of them q none being like them, or so agreeable as theirs: by these... [ Continue Reading ]
DRAW ME,.... With the cords of love, for what draw lovers to each other more strongly? under the influence of that they cannot bear to be without each other's company. Aben Ezra takes these words to be spoken by the virgins, who everyone of them said this, promising upon it to follow after the drawe... [ Continue Reading ]
I [AM] BLACK, BUT COMELY, O YE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM,.... The church having obtained of Christ, what she wanted, turns to the daughters of Jerusalem, the same perhaps with the virgins her companions; they seem to be young converts, it may be not yet members of the visible church, but had a great re... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK NOT UPON ME,.... Meaning not with scorn and disdain because of her meanness; nor as prying into her infirmities to expose her; nor with joy at her trials and afflictions; neither of these can be supposed in the daughters of Jerusalem addressed by her: but rather, not look on her as amazed at he... [ Continue Reading ]
TELL ME, O THOU WHOM MY SOUL LOVETH,.... With all her heart, cordially and sincerely; for, notwithstanding her sinful compliance with others, and neglect of her own affairs, she had not lost her love to Christ; and, being sensible of her sin and folly, whereby she was deprived of his company, and co... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU KNOW NOT,.... Or, "seeing thou knowest not" m; the saints in this imperfect state know but in part, are ignorant of many things, and in some measure of themselves; for though they know much of the sinfulness and deceitfulness of their hearts, yet they know not all; and of their imperfection... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE COMPARED THEE, O MY LOVE,.... The church having taken the direction of Christ, had now found him, and was with him; and when for her encouragement and comfort he greets her as his love, an appellation very usual among lovers; and in the chastest sense between husband and wife; the church was... [ Continue Reading ]
THY CHEEKS ARE COMELY WITH ROWS [OF JEWELS],.... Or "beautiful as turtledoves", as the Septuagint; or it may be rendered "with turtles", since the word "jewels" is not in the text; not with images of turtles on the bridles of the horses before mentioned, as Aben Ezra; but rather some ornaments of wo... [ Continue Reading ]
WE WILL MAKE THEE BORDERS OF GOLD WITH STUDS OF SILVER. Christ here in his own name, and in the name of the other two divine Persons, promises to the church a greater glory than as yet she had enjoyed; and seems to have respect to the Gospel dispensation; for by "golden borders" studded with "silver... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE THE KING [SITTETH] AT HIS TABLE,.... These are the words of the church, relating what influence the presence of Christ, her Lord and King, had upon the exercise of her graces, while he was keeping the nuptial feast, on account of his marriage with her. He was anointed King of saints from etern... [ Continue Reading ]
A BUNDLE OF MYRRH [IS] MY WELL BELOVED UNTO ME,.... These are the words of the church continued; expressing her great delight in Christ, and her strong love and affection for him, and therefore calls him "my well beloved"; which is expressive both of the greatness of Christ's love to her, and of the... [ Continue Reading ]
MY BELOVED [IS] UNTO ME [AS] A CLUSTER OF CAMPHIRE IN THE VINEYARDS OF ENGEDI. Engedi was a place near Jericho, and famous for palm trees, as that was, hence called Hazazontamar, 2 Chronicles 20:2. Pliny o sneaking of this place, which he calls Engadda, says, it is second to Jerusalem for fertility... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THOU [ART] FAIR, MY LOVE,.... These are the words of Christ, commending the beauty and comeliness of the church, expressing his great affection for her, and his high esteem of her; of her fairness and beauty, Song of Solomon 1:5, Song of Solomon 1:8; of the title of Christ's love, as given... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THOU [ART] FAIR, MY BELOVED,.... These are the words of the church, giving back to Christ his commendation of her, and much in the same words, as more properly belonging to him than her; he calls her "my love", she calls him "my beloved": he says that she was "fair"; the same she says of him... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BEAMS OF OUR HOUSE [ARE] CEDAR,.... Or "houses" k; where their bed was, and where they had fellowship and communion together. By which may be meant particular congregations or churches, in which houses Christ has a property, being of his building and beautifying; where he takes up his rest and r... [ Continue Reading ]