Song of Solomon 1:4 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

4 Draw H4900 me, we will run H7323 after H310 thee: the king H4428 hath brought H935 me into his chambers: H2315 we will be glad H1523 and rejoice H8055 in thee, we will remember H2142 thy love H1730 more than wine: H3196 the upright H4339 love H157 thee.

Cross Reference

John 6:44 STRONG

No man G3762 can G1410 come G2064 to G4314 me, G3165 except G3362 the Father G3962 which G3588 hath sent G3992 me G3165 draw G1670 him: G846 and G2532 I G1473 will raise G450 him G846 up G450 at the last G2078 day. G2250

Psalms 45:14-15 STRONG

She shall be brought H2986 unto the king H4428 in raiment of needlework: H7553 the virgins H1330 her companions H7464 that follow H310 her shall be brought H935 unto thee. With gladness H8057 and rejoicing H1524 shall they be brought: H2986 they shall enter H935 into the king's H4428 palace. H1964

Ephesians 2:6 STRONG

And G2532 hath raised us up together, G4891 and G2532 made us sit together G4776 in G1722 heavenly G2032 places in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus: G2424

John 12:32 STRONG

And I, G2504 if G1437 I be lifted up G5312 from G1537 the earth, G1093 will draw G1670 all G3956 men unto G4314 me. G1683

Hosea 11:4 STRONG

I drew H4900 them with cords H2256 of a man, H120 with bands H5688 of love: H160 and I was to them as they that take off H7311 the yoke H5923 on their jaws, H3895 and I laid H5186 meat H398 unto them.

Psalms 119:32 STRONG

I will run H7323 the way H1870 of thy commandments, H4687 when thou shalt enlarge H7337 my heart. H3820

Luke 2:10 STRONG

And G2532 the angel G32 said G2036 unto them, G846 Fear G5399 not: G3361 for, G1063 behold, G2400 I bring G2097 you G5213 good tidings G2097 of great G3173 joy, G5479 which G3748 shall be G2071 to all G3956 people. G2992

Matthew 25:10 STRONG

And G1161 while they G846 went G565 to buy, G59 the bridegroom G3566 came; G2064 and G2532 they that were ready G2092 went in G1525 with G3326 him G846 to G1519 the marriage: G1062 and G2532 the door G2374 was shut. G2808

Luke 22:19 STRONG

And G2532 he took G2983 bread, G740 and gave thanks, G2168 and brake G2806 it, and G2532 gave G1325 unto them, G846 saying, G3004 This G5124 is G2076 my G3450 body G4983 which G3588 is given G1325 for G5228 you: G5216 this G5124 do G4160 in remembrance G364 of G1519 me. G1699

John 14:2-3 STRONG

In G1722 my G3450 Father's G3962 house G3614 are G1526 many G4183 mansions: G3438 if it were not G1490 so, I would have told G302 G2036 you. G5213 I go G4198 to prepare G2090 a place G5117 for you. G5213 And G2532 if G1437 I go G4198 and G2532 prepare G2090 a place G5117 for you, G5213 I will come G2064 again, G3825 and G2532 receive G3880 you G5209 unto G4314 myself; G1683 that G2443 where G3699 I G1473 am, G1510 there ye G5210 may be G5600 also. G2532

John 21:15-17 STRONG

So G3767 when G3753 they had dined, G709 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 to Simon G4613 Peter, G4074 Simon, G4613 son of Jonas, G2495 lovest thou G25 me G3165 more than G4119 these? G5130 He saith G3004 unto him, G846 Yea, G3483 Lord; G2962 thou G4771 knowest G1492 that G3754 I love G5368 thee. G4571 He saith G3004 unto him, G846 Feed G1006 my G3450 lambs. G721 He saith G3004 to him G846 again G3825 the second time, G1208 Simon, G4613 son of Jonas, G2495 lovest thou G25 me? G3165 He saith G3004 unto him, G846 Yea, G3483 Lord; G2962 thou G4771 knowest G1492 that G3754 I love G5368 thee. G4571 He saith G3004 unto him, G846 Feed G4165 my G3450 sheep. G4263 He saith G3004 unto him G846 the third G5154 time, Simon, G4613 son of Jonas, G2495 lovest G5368 thou me? G3165 Peter G4074 was grieved G3076 because G3754 he said G2036 unto him G846 the third G5154 time, Lovest G5368 thou me? G3165 And G2532 he said G2036 unto him, G846 Lord, G2962 thou G4771 knowest G1492 all things; G3956 thou G4771 knowest G1097 that G3754 I love G5368 thee. G4571 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Feed G1006 my G3450 sheep. G4263

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 STRONG

For G1063 I G1473 have received G3880 of G575 the Lord G2962 that which G3739 also G2532 I delivered G3860 unto you, G5213 That G3754 the Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 the same night G3571 in G1722 which G3739 he was betrayed G3860 took G2983 bread: G740 And G2532 when he had given thanks, G2168 he brake G2806 it, and G2532 said, G2036 Take, G2983 eat: G5315 this G5124 is G2076 my G3450 body, G4983 which G3588 is broken G2806 for G5228 you: G5216 this G5124 do G4160 in G1519 remembrance G364 of me. G1699 After the same manner G5615 also G2532 he took the cup, G4221 when G3326 he had supped, G1172 saying, G3004 This G5124 cup G4221 is G2076 the new G2537 testament G1242 in G1722 my G1699 blood: G129 this G5124 do ye, G4160 as oft as G3740 G302 ye drink G4095 it, in G1519 remembrance G364 of me. G1699 For G1063 as often as G302 G3740 ye eat G2068 this G5126 bread, G740 and G2532 drink G4095 this G5124 cup, G4221 ye do shew G2605 the Lord's G2962 death G2288 till G891 G302 he G3739 come. G2064

Ephesians 6:24 STRONG

Grace G5485 be with G3326 all G3956 them that love G25 our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 in G1722 sincerity. G861 Amen. G281

Philippians 2:12-13 STRONG

Wherefore, G5620 my G3450 beloved, G27 as G2531 ye have G5219 always G3842 obeyed, G5219 not G3361 as G5613 in G1722 my G3450 presence G3952 only, G3440 but G235 now G3568 much G4183 more G3123 in G1722 my G3450 absence, G666 work out G2716 your own G1438 salvation G4991 with G3326 fear G5401 and G2532 trembling. G5156 For G1063 it is G2076 God G2316 which G3588 worketh G1754 in G1722 you G5213 both G2532 to will G2309 and G2532 to do G1754 of G5228 his good pleasure. G2107

Philippians 3:3 STRONG

For G1063 we G2249 are G2070 the circumcision, G4061 which G3588 worship G3000 God G2316 in the spirit, G4151 and G2532 rejoice G2744 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus, G2424 and G2532 have G3982 no G3756 confidence G3982 in G1722 the flesh. G4561

Philippians 4:4 STRONG

Rejoice G5463 in G1722 the Lord G2962 alway: G3842 and again G3825 I say, G2046 Rejoice. G5463

Hebrews 12:1 STRONG

Wherefore G5105 seeing we also G2532 are G2192 compassed about G4029 G2254 with so great G5118 a cloud G3509 of witnesses, G3144 let G659 us G2249 lay aside G659 every G3956 weight, G3591 and G2532 the sin G266 which doth so easily beset G2139 us, and let us run G5143 with G1223 patience G5281 the race G73 that is set before G4295 us, G2254

1 Peter 1:8 STRONG

Whom G3739 having G1492 not G3756 seen, G1492 G1492 ye love; G25 in G1519 whom, G3739 though now G737 ye see G3708 him not, G3361 yet G1161 believing, G4100 ye rejoice G21 with joy G5479 unspeakable G412 and G2532 full of glory: G1392

Song of Solomon 2:3-5 STRONG

As the apple tree H8598 among the trees H6086 of the wood, H3293 so is my beloved H1730 among the sons. H1121 I sat H3427 down under his shadow H6738 with great delight, H2530 and his fruit H6529 was sweet H4966 to my taste. H2441 He brought H935 me to the banqueting H3196 house, H1004 and his banner H1714 over me was love. H160 Stay H5564 me with flagons, H809 comfort H7502 me with apples: H8598 for I am sick H2470 of love. H160

Psalms 48:9 STRONG

We have thought H1819 of thy lovingkindness, H2617 O God, H430 in the midst H7130 of thy temple. H1964

Psalms 63:5 STRONG

My soul H5315 shall be satisfied H7646 as with marrow H2459 and fatness; H1880 and my mouth H6310 shall praise H1984 thee with joyful H7445 lips: H8193

Psalms 98:4-9 STRONG

Make a joyful noise H7321 unto the LORD, H3068 all the earth: H776 make a loud noise, H6476 and rejoice, H7442 and sing H2167 praise. Sing H2167 unto the LORD H3068 with the harp; H3658 with the harp, H3658 and the voice H6963 of a psalm. H2172 With trumpets H2689 and sound H6963 of cornet H7782 make a joyful noise H7321 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 the King. H4428 Let the sea H3220 roar, H7481 and the fulness H4393 thereof; the world, H8398 and they that dwell H3427 therein. Let the floods H5104 clap H4222 their hands: H3709 let the hills H2022 be joyful H7442 together H3162 Before H6440 the LORD; H3068 for he cometh H935 to judge H8199 the earth: H776 with righteousness H6664 shall he judge H8199 the world, H8398 and the people H5971 with equity. H4339

Psalms 103:1-2 STRONG

[[A Psalm of David.]] H1732 Bless H1288 the LORD, H3068 O my soul: H5315 and all that is within H7130 me, bless his holy H6944 name. H8034 Bless H1288 the LORD, H3068 O my soul, H5315 and forget H7911 not all his benefits: H1576

Psalms 111:4 STRONG

He hath made H6213 his wonderful works H6381 to be remembered: H2143 the LORD H3068 is gracious H2587 and full of compassion. H7349

Psalms 119:60 STRONG

I made haste, H2363 and delayed H4102 not to keep H8104 thy commandments. H4687

Psalms 149:2 STRONG

Let Israel H3478 rejoice H8055 in him that made H6213 him: let the children H1121 of Zion H6726 be joyful H1523 in their King. H4428

Song of Solomon 1:2-3 STRONG

Let him kiss H5401 me with the kisses H5390 of his mouth: H6310 for thy love H1730 is better H2896 than wine. H3196 Because of the savour H7381 of thy good H2896 ointments H8081 thy name H8034 is as ointment H8081 poured forth, H7324 therefore do the virgins H5959 love H157 thee.

Psalms 42:4 STRONG

When I remember H2142 these things, I pour out H8210 my soul H5315 in me: for I had gone H5674 with the multitude, H5519 I went H1718 with them to the house H1004 of God, H430 with the voice H6963 of joy H7440 and praise, H8426 with a multitude H1995 that kept holyday. H2287

Song of Solomon 3:4 STRONG

It was but a little H4592 that I passed H5674 from them, but I found H4672 him whom my soul H5315 loveth: H157 I held H270 him, and would not let him go, H7503 until I had brought H935 him into my mother's H517 house, H1004 and into the chamber H2315 of her that conceived H2029 me.

Isaiah 25:8 STRONG

He will swallow up H1104 death H4194 in victory; H5331 and the Lord H136 GOD H3069 will wipe away H4229 tears H1832 from off all faces; H6440 and the rebuke H2781 of his people H5971 shall he take away H5493 from off all the earth: H776 for the LORD H3068 hath spoken H1696 it.

Isaiah 45:25 STRONG

In the LORD H3068 shall all the seed H2233 of Israel H3478 be justified, H6663 and shall glory. H1984

Isaiah 61:3 STRONG

To appoint H7760 unto them that mourn H57 in Zion, H6726 to give H5414 unto them beauty H6287 for ashes, H665 the oil H8081 of joy H8342 for mourning, H60 the garment H4594 of praise H8416 for the spirit H7307 of heaviness; H3544 that they might be called H7121 trees H352 of righteousness, H6664 the planting H4302 of the LORD, H3068 that he might be glorified. H6286

Isaiah 63:7 STRONG

I will mention H2142 the lovingkindnesses H2617 of the LORD, H3068 and the praises H8416 of the LORD, H3068 according to all that the LORD H3068 hath bestowed H1580 on us, and the great H7227 goodness H2898 toward the house H1004 of Israel, H3478 which he hath bestowed H1580 on them according to his mercies, H7356 and according to the multitude H7230 of his lovingkindnesses. H2617

Jeremiah 31:3 STRONG

The LORD H3068 hath appeared H7200 of old H7350 unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved H157 thee with an everlasting H5769 love: H160 therefore with lovingkindness H2617 have I drawn H4900 thee.

Zephaniah 3:14 STRONG

Sing, H7442 O daughter H1323 of Zion; H6726 shout, H7321 O Israel; H3478 be glad H8055 and rejoice H5937 with all the heart, H3820 O daughter H1323 of Jerusalem. H3389

Zechariah 9:9 STRONG

Rejoice H1523 greatly, H3966 O daughter H1323 of Zion; H6726 shout, H7321 O daughter H1323 of Jerusalem: H3389 behold, thy King H4428 cometh H935 unto thee: he is just, H6662 and having salvation; H3467 lowly, H6041 and riding H7392 upon an ass, H2543 and upon a colt H5895 the foal H1121 of an ass. H860

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Song of Songs 1

Commentary on Song of Songs 1 Matthew Henry Commentary


An Exposition, With Practical Observations, of

The Song of Solomon

Chapter 1

In this chapter, after the title of the book (v. 1), we have Christ and his church, Christ and a believer, expressing their esteem for each other.

  • I. The bride, the church, speaks to the bridegroom (v. 2-4), to the daughters of Jerusalem (v. 5, 6), and then to the bridegroom (v. 7).
  • II. Christ, the bridegroom, speaks in answer to the complaints and requests of his spouse (v. 8-11).
  • III. The church expresses the great value she has for Christ, and the delights she takes in communion with him (v. 12-14).
  • IV. Christ commends the church's beauty (v. 15).
  • V. The church returns the commendation (v. 16, 17).

Where there is a fire of true love to Christ in the heart this will be of use to blow it up into a flame.

Sgs 1:1

We have here the title of this book, showing,

  • 1. The nature of it; it is a song, that it might the better answer the intention, which is to stir up the affections and to heat them, which poetry will be very instrumental to do. The subject is pleasing, and therefore fit to be treated of in a song, in singing which we may make melody with our hearts unto the Lord. It is evangelical; and gospel-times should be times of joy, for gospel-grace puts a new song into our mouths, Ps. 98:1.
  • 2. The dignity of it; it is the song of songs, a most excellent song, not only above any human composition, or above all other songs which Solomon penned, but even above any other of the scripture-songs, as having more of Christ in it.
  • 3. The penman of it; it is Solomon's. It is not the song of fools, as many of the songs of love are, but the song of the wisest of men; nor can any man give a better proof of his wisdom than to celebrate the love of God to mankind and to excite his own love to God and that of others with it. Solomon's songs were a thousand and five (1 Ki. 4:32); those that were of other subjects are lost, but this of seraphic love remains, and will to the end of time. Solomon, like his father, was addicted to poetry, and, which way soever a man's genius lies, he should endeavor to honour God and edify the church with it. One of Solomon's names was Jedidiah-beloved of the Lord (2 Sa. 12:25); and none so fit to write of the Lord's love as he that had himself so great an interest in it; none of all the apostles wrote so much of love as he that was himself the beloved disciple and lay in Christ's bosom. Solomon, as a king, had great affairs to mind and manage, which took up much of his thoughts and time, yet he found heart and leisure for this and other religious exercises. Men of business ought to be devout men, and not to think that business will excuse them from that which is every man's great business-to keep up communion with God. It is not certain when Solomon penned this sacred song. Some think that he penned it after he recovered himself by the grace of God from his backslidings, as a further proof of his repentance, and as if by doing good to many with this song he would atone for the hurt he had perhaps done with loose, vain, amorous songs, when he loved many strange wives; now he turned his wit the right way. It is more probable that he penned it in the beginning of his time, while he kept close to God and kept up his communion with him; and perhaps he put this song, with his father's psalms, into the hands of the chief musician, for the service of the temple, not without a key to it, for the right understanding of it. Some think that it was penned upon occasion of his marriage with Pharaoh's daughter, but that is uncertain; the tower of Lebanon, which is mentioned in this book (ch. 7:4), was not built, as is supposed, till long after the marriage. We may reasonably think that when in the height of his prosperity he loved the Lord (1 Ki. 3:3) he thus served him with joyfulness and gladness of heart in the abundance of all things. It may be rendered, The song of songs, which is concerning Solomon, who as the son and successor of David, on whom the covenant of royalty was entailed, as the founder of the temple, and as one that excelled in wisdom and wealth, was a type of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and yet is a greater than Solomon; this is therefore a song concerning him. It is here fitly placed after Ecclesiastes; for when by the book we are thoroughly convinced of the vanity of the creature, and its insufficiency to satisfy us and make a happiness for us, we shall be quickened to seek for happiness in the love of Christ, and that true transcendent pleasure which is to be found only in communion with God through him. The voice in the wilderness, that was to prepare Christ's way, cried, All flesh is grass.

Sgs 1:2-6

The spouse, in this dramatic poem, is here first introduced addressing herself to the bridegroom and then to the daughters of Jerusalem.

  • I. To the bridegroom, not giving him any name or title, but beginning abruptly: Let him kiss me; like Mary Magdalen to the supposed gardener (Jn. 20:15), If thou have borne him hence, meaning Christ, but not naming him. The heart has been before taken up with the thoughts of him, and to this relative those thoughts were the antecedent, that good matter which the heart was inditing, Ps. 45:1. Those that are full of Christ themselves are ready to think that others should be so too. Two things the spouse desires, and pleases herself with the thoughts of:-
    • 1. The bridegroom's friendship (v. 2): "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, that is, be reconciled to me, and let me know that he is so; let me have the token of his favour.' Thus the Old-Testament church desired Christ's manifesting himself in the flesh, to be no longer under the law as a schoolmaster, under a dispensation of bondage and terror, but to receive the communications of divine grace in the gospel, in which God is reconciling the world unto himself, binding up and healing what by the law was torn and smitten; as the mother kisses the child that she has chidden. "Let him no longer send to me, but come himself, no longer speak by angels and prophets, but let me have the word of his own mouth, those gracious words (Lu. 4:22), which will be to me as the kisses of the mouth, sure tokens of reconciliation, as Esau's kissing Jacob was.' All gospel duty is summed up in our kissing the Son (Ps. 2:12); so all gospel-grace is summed up in his kissing us, as the father of the prodigal kissed him when he returned a penitent. It is a kiss of peace. Kisses are opposed to wounds (Prov. 27:6), so are the kisses of grace to the wounds of the law. Thus all true believers earnestly desire the manifestations of Christ's love to their souls; they desire no more to make them happy than the assurance of his favour, the lifting up of the light of his countenance upon them (Ps. 4:6, 7), and the knowledge of that love of his which surpasses knowledge; this is the one thing they desire, Ps. 27:4. They are ready to welcome the manifestation of Christ's love to their souls by his Spirit, and to return them in the humble professions of love to him and complacency in him, above all. The fruit of his lips is peace, Isa. 57:19. "Let him give me ten thousand kisses whose very fruition makes me desire him more, and, whereas all other pleasures sour and wither by using, those of the Spirit become more delightful.' So bishop Reynolds. She gives several reasons for this desire.
      • (1.) Because of the great esteem she has for his love: Thy love is better than wine. Wine makes glad the heart, revives the drooping spirits, and exhilarates them, but gracious souls take more pleasure in loving Christ and being beloved of him, in the fruits and gifts of his love and in the pledges and assurances of it, than any man ever took in the most exquisite delights of sense, and it is more reviving to them than ever the richest cordial was to one ready to faint. Note,
        • [1.] Christ's love is in itself, and in the account of all the saints, more valuable and desirable than the best entertainments this world can give.
        • [2.] Those only may expect the kisses of Christ's mouth, and the comfortable tokens of his favour, who prefer his love before all delights of the children of men, who would rather forego those delights than forfeit his favour, and take more pleasure in spiritual joys than in any bodily refreshments whatsoever. Observe here the change of the person: Let him kiss me; there she speaks of him as absent, or as if she were afraid to speak to him; but, in the next words, she sees him near at hand, and therefore directs her speech to him: "Thy love, thy loves' (so the word is), "I so earnestly desire, because I highly esteem it.'
      • (2.) Because of the diffuse fragrancy of his love and the fruits of it (v. 3): "Because of the savour of thy good ointment (the agreeableness and acceptableness of thy graces and comforts to all that rightly understand both them and themselves), thy name is as ointment poured forth, thou art so, and all that whereby thou hast made thyself known; thy very name is precious to all the saints; it is an ointment and perfume which rejoice the heart.' The unfolding of Christ's name is as the opening of a box of precious ointment, which the room is filled with the odour of. The preaching of his gospel was the manifesting the savour of his knowledge in every place, 2 Co. 2:14. The Spirit was the oil of gladness wherewith Christ was anointed (Heb. 1:9), and all true believers have that unction (1 Jn. 2:27), so that he is precious to them, and they to him and to one another. A good name is as precious ointment, but Christ's name is more fragrant than any other. Wisdom, like oil, makes the face to shine; but the Redeemer outshines, in beauty, all others. The name of Christ is not now like ointment sealed up, as it had been long (Ask not after my name, for it is secret), but like ointment poured forth, which denotes both the freeness and fulness of the communications of his grace by the gospel.
      • (3.) Because of the general affection that all holy souls have to him: Therefore do the virgins love thee. It is Christ's love shed abroad in our hearts that draws them out in love to him; all that are pure from the corruptions of sin, that preserve the chastity of their own spirits, and are true to the vows by which they have devoted themselves to God, that not only suffer not their affections to be violated but cannot bear so much as to be solicited by the world and the flesh, those are the virgins that love Jesus Christ and follow him whithersoever he goes, Rev. 14:4. And, because Christ is the darling of all the pure in heart, let him be ours, and let our desires be towards him and towards the kisses of his mouth.
    • 2. The bridegroom's fellowship, v. 4. Observe here,
      • (1.) Her petition for divine grace: Draw me. This implies sense of distance from him, desire of union with him. "Draw me to thyself, draw me nearer, draw me home to thee.' She had prayed that he would draw nigh to her (v. 2); in order to that, she prays that he would draw her nigh to him. "Draw me, not only with the moral suasion which there is in the fragrancy of the good ointments, not only with the attractives of that name which is as ointment poured forth, but with supernatural grace, with the cords of a man and the bands of love,' Hos. 11:4. Christ has told us that none come to him but such as the Father draws, Jn. 6:44. We are not only weak, and cannot come of ourselves any further than we are helped, but we are naturally backward and averse to come, and therefore must pray for those influences and operations of the Spirit, by the power of which we are unwilling made willing, Ps. 110:3. "Draw me, else I move not; overpower the world and the flesh that would draw me from thee.' We are not driven to Christ, but drawn in such a way as is agreeable to rational creatures.
      • (2.) Her promise to improve that grace: Draw me, and then we will run after thee. See how the doctrine of special and effectual grace consists with our duty, and is a powerful engagement and encouragement to it, and yet reserves all the glory of all the good that is in us to God only. Observe,
        • [1.] The flowing forth of the soul after Christ, and its ready compliance with him, are the effect of his grace; we could not run after him if he did not draw us, 2 Co. 3:5; Phil. 4:13.
        • [2.] The grace which God gives us we must diligently improve. When Christ by his Spirit draws us we must with our spirits run after him. As God says, I will, and you shall (Eze. 36:27), so we must say, "Thou shalt and we will; thou shalt work in us both to will and to do, and therefore we will work out our own salvation' (Phil. 2:12, 13); not only we will walk, but we will run after thee, which denotes eagerness of desire, readiness of affection, vigour of pursuit, and swiftness of motion. When thou shalt enlarge my heart then I will run the way of thy commandments (Ps. 119:32); when thy right hand upholds me then my soul follows hard after thee (Ps. 63:8); when with lovingkindness to us he draws us (Jer. 31:3) we with lovingkindness to him must run after him, Isa. 40:31. Observe the difference between the petition and the promise: "Draw me, and then we will run.' When Christ pours out his Spirit upon the church in general, which is his bride, all the members of it do thence receive enlivening quickening influences, and are made to run to him with the more cheerfulness, Isa. 55:5. Or, "Draw me' (says the believing soul) "and then I will not only follow thee myself as fast as I can, but will bring all mine along with me: We will run after thee, I and the virgins that love thee (v. 3), I and all that I have any interest in or influence upon, I and my house (Jos. 24:15), I and the transgressors whom I will teach thy ways,' Ps. 51:13. Those that put themselves forth, in compliance with divine grace, shall find that their zeal will provoke many, 2 Co. 9:2. Those that are lively will be active; when Philip was drawn to Christ he drew Nathanael; and they will be exemplary, and so will win those that would not be won by the word.
      • (3.) The immediate answer that was given to this prayer: The King has drawn me, has brought me into his chambers. It is not so much an answer fetched by faith from the world of Christ's grace as an answer fetched by experience from the workings of his grace. If we observe, as we ought, the returns of prayer, we may find that sometimes, while we are yet speaking, Christ hears, Isa. 65:24. The bridegroom is a king; so much the more wonderful is his condescension in the invitations and entertainments that he gives us, and so much the greater reason have we to accept of them and to run after him. God is the King that has made the marriage-supper for his Son (Mt. 22:2) and brings in even the poor and the maimed, and even the most shy and bashful are compelled to come in. Those that are drawn to Christ are brought, not only into his courts, into his palaces (Ps. 45:15), but into his presence-chamber, where his secret is with them (Ps. 25:14), where he is free with them (Jn. 14:21), and where they are safe in his pavilion, Ps. 27:5; Isa. 26:20. Those that wait at wisdom's gates shall be made to come (so the word is) into her chambers; they shall be led into truth and comfort.
      • (4.) The wonderful complacency which the spouse takes in the honour which the king put upon her. Being brought into the chamber,
        • [1.] "We have what we would have. Our desires are crowned with unspeakable delights; all our griefs vanish, and we will be glad and rejoice. If a day in the courts, much more an hour in the chambers, is better than a thousand, than ten thousand, elsewhere.' Those that are, through grace, brought into covenant and communion with God, have reason to go on their way rejoicing, as the eunuch (Acts 8:39), and that joy will enlarge our hearts and be our strength, Neh. 8:10.
        • [2.] All our joy shall centre in God: "We will rejoice, not in the ointments, or the chambers, but in thee. It is God only that is our exceeding joy, Ps. 43:4. We have no joy but in Christ, and which we are indebted to him for.' Gaudium in Domino-Joy in the Lord, was the ancient salutation, and Salus in Domino sempiterna-Eternal salvation in the Lord.
        • [3.] "We will retain the relish and savour of this kindness of thine and never forget it: We will remember thy loves more than wine; no only thy love itself (v. 2), but the very remembrance of it shall be more grateful to us than the strongest cordial to the spirits, or the most palatable liquor to the taste. We will remember to give thanks for thy love, and it shall make more durable impressions upon us than any thing in this world.'
      • (5.) The communion which a gracious soul has with all the saints in this communion with Christ. In the chambers to which we are brought we not only meet with him, but meet with one another (1 Jn. 1:7); for the upright love thee; the congregation, the generation, of the upright love thee. Whatever others do, all that are Israelites indeed, and faithful to God, will love Jesus Christ. Whatever differences of apprehension and affection there may be among Christians in other things, this they are all agreed in, Jesus Christ is precious to them. The upright here are the same with the virgins, v. 3. All that remember his love more than wine will love him with a superlative love. Nor is any love acceptable to Christ but the love of the upright, love in sincerity, Eph. 6:24.
  • II. To the daughters of Jerusalem, v. 5, 6. The church in general, being in distress, speaks to particular churches to guard them against the danger they were in of being offended at the church's sufferings, 1 Th. 3:3. Or the believer speaks to those that were professors at large in the church, but not of it, or to weak Christians, babes in Christ, that labour under much ignorance, infirmity, and mistake, not perfectly instructed, and yet willing to be taught in the things of God. She observed these by-standers look disdainfully upon her because of her blackness, in respect both of sins and sufferings, upon the account of which they though she had little reason to expect the kisses she wished for (v. 2) or to expect that they should join with her in her joys, v. 4. She therefore endeavors to remove this offence; she owns she is black. Guilt blackens; the heresies, scandals, and offences, that happen in the church, make her black; and the best saints have their failings. Sorrow blackens; that seems to be especially meant; the church is often in a low condition, mean, and poor, and in appearance despicable, her beauty sullied and her face foul with weeping; she is in mourning weeds, clothed with sackcloth, as the Nazarites that had become blacker than a coal, Lam. 4:8. Now, to take off this offence,
    • 1. She asserts her own comeliness notwithstanding (v. 5): I am black, but comely, black as the tents of Kedar, in which the shepherds lived, which were very coarse, and never whitened, weather-beaten and discoloured by long use, but comely as the curtains of Solomon, the furniture of whose rooms, no doubt, was sumptuous and rich, in proportion to the stateliness of his houses. The church is sometimes black with persecution, but comely in patience, constancy, and consolation, and never the less amiable in the eyes of Christ, black in the account of men, but comely in God's esteem, black in some that are a scandal to her, but comely in others that are sincere and are an honour to her. True believers are black in themselves, but comely in Christ, with the comeliness that he puts upon them, black outwardly, for the world knows them not, but all glorious within, Ps. 45:13. St. Paul was weak, and yet strong, 2 Co. 12:10. And so the church is black and yet comely; a believer is a sinner and yet a saint; his own righteousnesses are as filthy rags, but he is clothed with the robe of Christ's righteousness. The Chaldee Paraphrase applies it to the people of Israel's blackness when they made the golden calf and their comeliness when they repented of it.
    • 2. She gives an account how she came to be so black. The blackness was not natural, but contracted, and was owing to the hard usage that had been given her: Look not upon me so scornfully because I am black. We must take heed with what eye we look upon the church, especially when she is in black. Thou shouldst not have looked upon the day of thy brother, the day of his affliction, Obad. 12. Be not offended; for,
      • (1.) I am black by reason of my sufferings: The sun has looked upon me. She was fair and comely; whiteness was her proper colour; but she got this blackness by the burden and heat of the day, which she was forced to bear. She was sun-burnt, scorched with tribulation and persecution (Mt. 13:6, 21); and the greatest beauties, if exposed to the weather, are soonest tanned. Observe how she mitigates her troubles; she does not say, as Jacob (Gen. 31:40), In the day the drought consumed me, but, The sun has looked upon me; for it becomes not God's suffering people to make the worst of their sufferings. But what was the matter?
        • [1.] She fell under the displeasure of those of her own house: My mother's children were angry with me. She was in perils by false brethren; her foes were those of her own house (Mt. 10:36), brethren by nature as men, by profession as members of the same sacred corporation, the children of the church her mother, but not of God her Father; they were angry with her. The Samaritans, who claimed kindred to the Jews, were vexed at any thing that tended to the prosperity of Jerusalem, Neh. 2:10. Note, It is no new thing for the people of God to fall under the anger of their own mother's children. It was thou, a man, my equal, Ps. 55:12, 13. This makes the trouble the more irksome and grievous; from such it is taken unkindly, and the anger of such is implacable. A brother offended is hard to be won.
        • [2.] They dealt very hardly with her: They made me the keeper of the vineyards, that is,
          • First, "They seduced me to sin, drew me into false worships, to serve their gods, which was like dressing the vineyards, keeping the vine of Sodom; and they would not let me keep my own vineyard, serve my own God, and observe those pure worships which he gave me in charge, and which I do and ever will own for mine.' These are grievances which good people complain most of in a time of persecution, that their consciences are forced, and that those who rule them with rigour say to their souls, Bow down, that we may go over, Isa. 51:23. Or,
          • Secondly, "They brought me into trouble, imposed that upon me which was toilsome, and burdensome, and very disgraceful.' Keeping the vineyards was base servile work, and very laborious, Isa. 61:5. Her mother's children made her the drudge of the family. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their wrath, for it was cruel. The spouse of Christ has met with a great deal of hard usage.
      • (2.) "My sufferings are such as I have deserved; for my own vineyard have I not kept. How unrighteous soever my brethren are in persecuting me, God is righteous in permitting them to do so. I am justly made a slavish keeper of men's vineyards, because I have been a careless keeper of the vineyards God has entrusted me with.' Slothful servants of God are justly made to serve their enemies, that they may know his service, and the service of the kings of the countries, 2 Chr. 12:8; Deu. 28:47, 48; Eze. 20:23, 24. "Think not the worse of the ways of God for my sufferings, for I smart for my own folly.' Note, When God's people are oppressed and persecuted it becomes them to acknowledge their own sin to be the procuring cause of their troubles, especially their carelessness in keeping their vineyards, so that it has been like the field of the slothful.

Sgs 1:7-11

Here is,

  • I. The humble petition which the spouse presents to her beloved, the shepherdess to the shepherd, the church and every believer to Christ, for a more free and intimate communion with him. She turns from the daughters of Jerusalem, to whom she had complained both of her sins and of her troubles, and looks up to heaven for relief and succour against both, v. 7. Here observe,
    • 1. The title she gives to Christ: O thou whom my soul loveth. Note, It is the undoubted character of all true believers that their souls love Jesus Christ, which intimates both the sincerity and the strength of their love; they love him with all their hearts; and those that do so may come to him boldly and may humbly plead it with him.
    • 2. The opinion she has of him as the good shepherd of the sheep; she doubts not but he feeds his flock and makes them rest at noon. Jesus Christ graciously provides both repast and repose for his sheep; they are not starved, but well fed, not scattered upon the mountains, but fed together, fed in green pastures and in the hot time of the day led by the still waters and made to lie down under a cool refreshing shade. Is it with God's people a noon-time of outward troubles, inward conflicts? Christ has rest for them; he carries them in his arms, Isa. 40:11.
    • 3. Her request to him that she might be admitted into his society: Tell me where thou feedest. Those that would be told, that would be taught, what they are concerned to know and do, must apply to Jesus Christ, and beg of him to teach them, to tell them. "Tell me where to find thee, where I may have conversation with thee, where thou feedest and tendest thy flock, that there I may have some of my company.' Observe, by the way, We should not, in love to our friends and their company, tempt them or urge them to neglect their business, but desire such an enjoyment of them as will consist with it, and rather, if we can, to join with them in their business and help to forward it. "Tell me where thou feedest, and there I will sit with thee, walk with thee, feed my flocks with thine, and not hinder thee nor myself, but bring my work with me.' Note, Those whose souls love Jesus Christ earnestly desire to have communion with him, by his word in which he speaks to us and by prayer in which we speak to him, and to share in the privileges of his flock; and we may learn from the care he takes of his church, to provide convenient food and rest for it, how to take care of our own souls, which are our charge.
    • 4. The plea she uses for the enforcing of this request: "For why should I be as one that turns aside by (or after) the flocks of thy companions, that pretend to be so, but are really thy competitors, and rivals with thee.' Note, Turning aside from Christ after other lovers is that which gracious souls dread, and deprecate, more than any thing else. "Thou wouldst not have me to turn aside, no, nor to be as one that turns aside; tell me then, O tell me, where I may be near thee, and I will never leave thee.'
      • (1.) "Why should I lie under suspicion, and look as if I belonged to some other and not to thee? Why should I be thought by the flocks of our companions to be a deserter from thee, and a retainer to some other shepherd?' Good Christians will be afraid of giving any occasion to those about them to question their faith in Christ and their love to him; they would not do any thing that looks like unconcernedness about their souls; or uncharitableness towards their brethren, or that savours of indifference and disaffection to holy ordinances; and we should pray to God to direct us into and keep us in the way of our duty, that we may not so much as seem to come short, Heb. 4:1.
      • (2.) "Why should I lie in temptation to turn aside, as I do while I am absent from thee?' We should be earnest with God for a settled peace in communion with God through Christ, that we may not be as waifs and strays, ready to be picked up by him that next passes by.
  • II. The gracious answer which the bridegroom gives to this request, v. 8. See how ready God is to answer prayer, especially prayers for instruction; even while she is yet speaking, he hears. Observe,
    • 1. How affectionately he speaks to her: O thou fairest among women! Note, Believing souls are fair, in the eyes of the Lord Jesus, above any other. Christ sees a beauty in holiness, whether we do or no. The spouse has called herself black, but Christ calls her fair. Those that are low in their own eyes are so much the more amiable in the eyes of Jesus Christ. Blushing at their own deformity (says Mr. Durham) is a chief part of their beauty.
    • 2. How mildly he checks her for her ignorance, in these words, If thou know not, intimating that she might have known it if it had not been her own fault. What! dost thou not know where to find me and my flock? Compare Christ's answer to a like address of Philip's (Jn. 14:9), Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? But,
    • 3. With what tenderness he acquaints her where she might find him. If men say, Lo, here is Christ, or, Lo, he is there, believe them not, go not after them, Mt. 24:23, 26. But,
      • (1.) Walk in the way of good men (Prov. 2:20), follow the track, ask for the good old way, observe the footsteps of the flock, and go forth by them. It will not serve to sit still and cry, "Lord, show me the way,' but we must bestir ourselves to enquire out the way; and we may find it by looking which way the footsteps of the flock lead, what has been the practice of godly people all along; let that practice be ours, Heb. 6:12; 1 Co. 11:1.
      • (2.) Sit under the direction of good ministers: "Feed thyself and thy kids besides the tents of the under-shepherds. Bring thy charge with thee' (it is probable that the custom was to commit the lambs and kids to the custody of the women, the shepherdesses); "they shall all be welcome; the shepherds will be no hindrance to thee, as they were to Reuel's daughters (Ex. 2:17), but helpers rather, and therefore abide by their tents.' Note, Those that would have acquaintance and communion with Christ must closely and conscientiously adhere to holy ordinances, must join themselves to his people and attend his ministers. Those that have the charge of families must bring them with them to religious assemblies; let their kids, their children, their servants, have the benefit of the shepherds' tents.
  • III. The high encomiums which the bridegroom gives of his spouse. To be given in marriage, in the Hebrew dialect, is to be praised (Ps. 78:63, margin), so this spouse is here; her husband praises this virtuous woman (Prov. 31:28); he praises her, as is usual in poems, by similitudes.
    • 1. He calls her his love (v. 9); it is an endearing compellation often used in this book: "My friend, my companion, my familiar.'
    • 2. He compares her to a set of strong and stately horses in Pharaoh's chariots. Egypt was famous for the best horses. Solomon had his thence; and Pharaoh, no doubt, had the choicest the country afforded for his own chariots. The church had complained of her own weakness, and the danger she was in of being made a prey of by her enemies: "Fear not,' says Christ; "I have made thee like a company of horses; I have put strength into thee as I have done into the horse (Job 39:19), so that thou shalt with a gracious boldness mock at fear, and not be affrighted, like the lion, Prov. 28:1. The Lord has made thee as his goodly horse in the day of battle, Zec. 10:3. I have compared thee to my company of horses which triumphed over Pharaoh's chariots, the holy angels, horses of fire.' Hab. 3:15, Thou didst walk through the sea with thy horses; and see Isa. 63:13. We are weak in ourselves, but if Christ make us as horses, strong and bold, we need not fear what all the powers of darkness can do against us.
    • 3. He admires the beauty and ornaments of her countenance (v. 10): Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, the attire of the head, curls of hair, or favourites (so some), or knots of ribbons; thy neck also with chains, such as persons of the first rank wear, chains of gold. The ordinances of Christ are the ornaments of the church. The graces, gifts, and comforts of the Spirit, are the adorning of every believing soul, and beautify it; these render it, in the sight of God, of great price. The ornaments of the saints are many, but all orderly disposed in rows and chains, in which there is a mutual connexion with and dependence upon each other. The beauty is not from any thing in themselves, from the neck or from the cheeks, but from ornaments with which they are set off. It was comeliness which I put upon thee, said the Lord God; for we were born not only naked, but polluted, Eze. 16:14.
  • IV. His gracious purpose to add to her ornaments; for where God has given true grace he will give more grace; to him that has shall be given. Is the church courageous in her resistance of sin, as the horses in Pharaoh's chariots? Is she comely in the exercise of grace, as with rows of jewels and chains of gold? She shall be yet further beautified (v. 11): We will make thee borders of gold, inlaid, or enamelled, with studs of silver. Whatever is wanting shall be made up, till the church and every true believer come to be perfect in beauty; see Eze. 16:14. This is here undertaken to be done by the concurring power of the three persons in the Godhead: We will do it; like that (Gen. 1:26), "Let us make man; so let us new-make him, and perfect his beauty.' The same that is the author will be the finisher of the good work; and it cannot miscarry.

Sgs 1:12-17

Here the conference is carried on between Christ and his spouse, and endearments are mutually exchanged.

  • I. Believers take a great complacency in Christ, and in communion with him. To you that believe he is precious, above any thing in this world, 1 Pt. 2:7. Observe,
    • 1. The humble reverence believers have for Christ as their Sovereign, v. 12. He is a King in respect both of dignity and dominion; he wears the crown of honour, he bears the sceptre of power, both which are the unspeakable satisfaction of all his people. This King has his royal table spread in the gospel, in which is made for all nations a feast of fat things, Isa. 25:6. Wisdom has furnished her table, Prov. 9:1. He sits at this table to see his guests (Mt. 22:11), to see that nothing be wanting that is fit for them; he sups with them and they with him (Rev. 3:20); he has fellowship with them and rejoices in them; he sits at his table to bid them welcome, and to carve for them, as Christ broke the five loaves and gave to his disciples, that they might distribute to the multitude. He sits there to receive petitions, as Ahasuerus admitted Esther's petition at the banquet of wine. He has promised to be present with his people in his ordinances always. Then believers do him all the honour they can, and study how to express their esteem of him and gratitude to him, as Mary did when she anointed his head with the ointment of spikenard that was very costly, one pound of it worth three hundred pence, and so fragrant that the house was filled with the pleasing odour of it (Jn. 12:3), which story seems as if it were designed to refer to this passage, for Christ was then sitting at table. When good Christians, in any religious duty, especially in the ordinance of the Lord's supper, where the King is pleased, as it were, to sit with us at his own table, have their graces exercised, their hearts broken by repentance, healed by faith, and inflamed with holy love and desires toward Christ, with joyful expectations of the glory to be revealed, then the spikenard sends forth the smell thereof. Christ is pleased to reckon himself honoured by it, and to accept of it as an instance of respect to him, as it was in the wise men of the east, who paid their homage to the new-born King of the Jews by presenting to him frankincense and myrrh. The graces of God's Spirit in the hearts of believers are exceedingly precious in themselves and pleasing to Christ, and his presence in ordinances draws them out into act and exercise. If he withdraw, graces wither and languish, as plants in the absence of the sun; if he approach, the face of the soul is renewed, as of the earth in the spring; and then it is time to bestir ourselves, that we may not lose the gleam, not lose the gale; for nothing is done acceptably but what grace does, Heb. 12:28.
    • 2. The strong affection they have for Christ as their beloved, their well-beloved, v. 13. Christ is not only beloved by all believing souls, but is their well-beloved, their best-beloved, their only beloved; he has that place in their hearts which no rival can be admitted to, the innermost and uppermost place. Observe,
      • (1.) How Christ is accounted of by all believers: He is a bundle of myrrh and a cluster of camphire, something, we may be sure, nay, every thing, that is pleasant and delightful. The doctrine of his gospel, and the comforts of his Spirit, are very refreshing to them, and they rest in his love; none of all the delights of sense are comparable to the spiritual pleasure they have in meditating on Christ and enjoying him. There is a complicated sweetness in Christ and an abundance of it; there is a bundle of myrrh and a cluster of camphire. We are not straitened in him whom there is all fulness. The word translated camphire is copher, the same word that signifies atonement or propitiation. Christ is a cluster of merit and righteousness to all believers; therefore he is dear to them because he is the propitiation for their sins. Observe what stress the spouse lays upon the application: He is unto me, and again unto me, all that is sweet; whatever he is to others, he is so to me. He loved me, and gave himself for me. He is my Lord, and my God.
      • (2.) How he is accepted: He shall lie all night between my breasts, near my heart. Christ lays the beloved disciples in his bosom; why then should not they lay their beloved Saviour in their bosoms? Why should not they embrace him with both arms, and hold him fast, with a resolution never to let him go? Christ must dwell in the heart (Eph. 3:17), and, in order to that, the adulteries must be put from between the breasts (Hos. 2:2), no pretender must have his place in the soul. He shall be as a bundle of myrrh, or perfume bag, between my breasts, always sweet to me; or his effigies in miniature, his love-tokens, shall be hung between my breasts, according to the custom of those that are dear to each other. He shall not only be laid their for a while, but shall lie there, shall abide there.
  • II. Jesus Christ has a great complacency in his church and in every true believer; they are amiable in his eyes (v. 15): Behold, thou art fair, my love; and again, Behold, thou art fair. He says this, not to make her proud (humility is one principal ingredient in spiritual beauty), but,
    • 1. To show that there is a real beauty in holiness, that all who are sanctified are thereby beautified; they are truly fair.
    • 2. That he takes great delight in that good work which his grace has wrought on the souls of believers; so that though they have their infirmities, whatever they think of themselves, and the world thinks of them, he thinks them fair. He calls them friends. The hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, is in the sight of God of great price, 1 Pt. 3:4.
    • 3. To comfort weak believers, who are discouraged by their own blackness; let them be told again and again that they are fair.
    • 4. To engage all who are sanctified to be very thankful for that grace which has made them fair, who by nature were deformed, and changed the Ethiopian's skin. One instance of the beauty of the spouse is here mentioned, that she has doves' eyes, as ch. 4:1. Those are fair, in Christ's account, who have, not the piercing eye of the eagle, but the pure and chaste eye of the dove, not like the hawk, who, when he soars upwards, still has his eye upon the prey on earth, but a humble modest eye, such an eye as discovers a simplicity and godly sincerity and a dove-like innocency, eyes enlightened and guided by the Holy Spirit, that blessed Dove, weeping eyes. I did mourn as a dove, Eze. 7:16.
  • III. The church expresses her value for Christ, and returns esteem (v. 16): Behold, thou art fair. See how Christ and believers praise one another. Israel saith of God, Who is like thee? Ex. 15:11. And God saith of Israel, Who is like thee? Deu. 33:29. Lord, saith the church, "Dost thou call me fair? No; if we speak of strength, thou art strong (Job 9:19), so, if of beauty, thou art fair. I am fair no otherwise than as I have thy image stamped upon me. Thou art the great Original; I am but a faint and imperfect copy, I am but thy umbra-the shadow of thee, Jn. 1:16; 3:34. Thou art fair in thyself and (which is more) pleasant to all that are thine. Many are fair enough to look at, and yet the sourness of their temper renders them unpleasant; but thou art fair, yea, pleasant.' Christ is pleasant, as he is ours, in covenant with us, in relation to us. "Thou art pleasant now, when the King sits at his table.' Christ is always precious to believers, but in a special manner pleasant when they are admitted into communion with him, when they hear his voice, and see his face, and taste his love. It is good to be here. Having expressed her esteem of her husband's person, she next, like a loving spouse, that is transported with joy for having disposed of herself so well, applauds the accommodations he had for her entertainment, his bed, his house, his rafters or galleries (v. 16), which may be fitly applied to those holy ordinances in which believers have fellowship with Jesus Christ, receive the tokens of his love and return their pious and devout affections to him, increase their acquaintance with him and improve their advantages by him. Now,
    • 1. These she calls ours, Christ and believers having a joint-interest in them. As husband and wife are heirs together (1 Pt. 3:7), so believers are joint-heirs with Christ, Rom. 8:17. They are his institutions and their privileges; in them Christ and believers meet. She does not call them mine, for a believer will own nothing as his but what Christ shall have an interest in, nor thine, for Christ has said, All that I have is thine, Lu. 15:31. All is ours if we are Christ's. Those that can by faith lay claim to Christ may lay claim to all that is his.
    • 2. These are the best of the kind. Does the colour of the bed, and the furniture belonging to it, help to set it off? Our bed is green, a colour which, in a pastoral, is preferred before any other, because it is the colour of the fields and groves where the shepherd's business and delight are. It is a refreshing colour, good for the eyes; and it denotes fruitfulness. I am like a green olive-tree, Ps. 52:8. We are married to Christ, that we should bring forth unto God, Rom. 7:4. The beams of our house are cedar (v. 17), which probably refers to the temple Solomon had lately built for communion between God and Israel, which was of cedar, a strong sort of wood, sweet, durable, and which will never rot, typifying the firmness and continuance of the church, the gospel-temple. The galleries for walking are of fir, or cypress, some sort of wood that was pleasing both to the sight and to the smell, intimating the delight which the saints take in walking with Christ and conversing with him. Every thing in the covenant of grace (on which foot all their treaties are carried on) is very firm, very fine, and very fragrant.