THE SONG OF SOLOMON. ARGUMENT. THE form of this book is dramatical, wherein several parts are uttered in the name of several persons, who are chiefly, the bridegroom and the bride, and the friends or companions of the one and of the other. Nor is it declared what or when each of them speak, but that is left to the observation of the prudent reader. The design of the book in general is to describe the love and happy marriage of two persons, but it is not to be understood concerning Solomon and Pharaoh's daughter, (although the occasion might be taken from that, or rather he makes an allusion to that,) but concerning God or Christ, and his church and people. This is sufficiently evident from the descriptions of this bridegroom and bride, which are such as could not, with any decency, be used or meant concerning Solomon and Pharaoh's daughter. There are many expressions and descriptions, which being applied to them are absurd and monstrous. Hence it follows, that this book is to be understood allegorically concerning that spiritual love and marriage which is between Christ and his church. And this will be more than probable to any man who shall consider the following particulars: 1, That the Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testament, are full of allegorical passages; which being known and confessed, it is needless to prove 2, That the doctrine of Christ being the head and husband of God's church or people, was well known, at least, to the prophets, and the wise and pious Israelites in the time of the Old Testament: 3, That God compares himself to a bridegroom, and his church to a bride, Isa. lxii. 5, and calls, and owns himself the husband of his people, Isa. liv. 5; Hos. ii. 16, 19, 20. In which places, by comparing these with many other texts of Scripture, by God, or the Lord, is meant Christ, the second person in the Godhead, who then was to come down, and since did come from heaven to earth, for the consummation of that eternal design of marriage between God and his people: 4, That the forty-fifth Psalm, which is a kind of abridgment of this book, although it alludes to the marriage between Solomon and Pharaoh's daughter, was written concerning the Messiah, as all interpreters, both Christian and Jewish, agree. From these considerations, and many others which might be suggested, it is sufficiently manifest, that the scope of this book is to describe the mutual love, union, and communion which is between Christ and his church, in the various conditions to which it is liable in this world. CHAPTER I. After the title, the church, the bride, speaks to Christ, the bridegroom, 1-4. To the daughters of Jerusalem, and to Christ again, 5-7. Christ answers her complaints and requests, 8-11. The church expresses her value for Christ, and her delight in him, 12–14. Christ commends the church, 15. And the church Christ, 16, 17. a A. M. 2990. THE song of songs, which is 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his A. M. 2990. Solomon's. mouth: "for 'thy love is better than wine. B. C. 1014. a1 Kings iv. 32. NOTES ON CHAPTER I. Verse 1. The song of songs-The most excellent of all songs. And so this might well be called, whether we consider the author of it, who was a great prince, and the wisest of all mortal men; or the subject of it, which is not Solomon, but a greater than Solomon, even Christ, and his marriage with the church; or the matter of it, which is most lofty, containing b Chap. iv. 10.- Heb. thy loves. B. C. 1014. in it the noblest of all the mysteries contained either in the Old or the New Testament; most pious and pathetical, breathing forth the hottest flames of love between Christ and his people, most sweet and comfortable, and useful to all that read it with serious and Christian eyes. Verse 2. Let him kiss me-The beginning is abrupt; but is suitable to, and usual in, writings of this The church, the bride, expresses B. C. 1014. B. C. 1014. A. M. 2990. 3 Because of the savour of thy good 6 Look not upon me, because I am A. M. 2990. ointments thy name is as ointment || black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. e poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 2 5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. c Hos. xi. 4; John vi. 44; xii. 32. Philippians iii. 12, 13, 14. • Psalm xlv. 14, 15; John xiv. 2; Eph. ii. 6. nature, wherein things are not related in a historical and exquisite order, but that which was first done is brought in, as it were, accidentally, after many other passages; as we see in Homer, and Virgil, and others. These are the words of the spouse, wherein she breathes forth her passionate love to the bridegroom, whom she does not name; because it was needless, as being so well known to the persons to whom she speaks, and being the only person who was continually in her thoughts. By kisses, the usual tokens of love and good-will, she means the communications of his love and favour, his graces and comforts breathed into her from the Spirit of Christ. Thy love-This sudden change of the person is frequent in pathetic discourses. First she speaks of him as absent, but speedily grows into more acquaintance with him, and by ardent desire and faith, embraces him as present. Is better than wine-Than the most delicious meat or drink, or than all sensual delights, one kind being put for all. Verse 3. Because of the savour of thy good ointments--Because of those excellent gifts and graces of God's Spirit wherewith thou art replenished; thy name-Thy fame or report, the very mention of thee, and all those things by which thou makest thyself known to men; thy word, particularly thine offers of pardon and salvation to sinners; and all thy works, especially that great work of redemption; is as ointment poured forth--Is most acceptable and refreshing. Therefore do the virgins love thee --Called the companions of the bride, Psa. xlv. 14; particular believers, who are called virgins, 2 Cor. xi. 2; Rev. xiv. 4; who have their senses exercised, to perceive this sweetness and fulness of Christ. Verse 5. I am black-I confess, as to myself, I am contemptible and deformed. She alludes to the complexion of Pharaoh's daughter; but comely— Yet I am glorious within, Psa. xlv. 13; and comely, through the beauty which my husband hath put upon me, by his graces conferred upon me, in justification and sanctification. O ye daughters-By which she understands particular believers, whose mother Jerusalem is called, Gal. iv. 26. As the tents of Kedar-Of the wild Arabians, the posterity of Kedar, (Gen. xxv. 13,) who dwelt in tents, which were black and uncomely. As the curtains of Solomon-As the hangings wherewith Solomon's house was furnished, which none can doubt were most beautiful and glorious. So these two last clauses answer to the two first, and that in the same order in which they lie. Verse 6. Look not upon me-With wonder and disdain; because the sun hath looked upon me--My blackness is not essential and inseparable, but chiefly caused by the scorching beams of the sun; that is, sore persecutions and tribulations, which, by God's permission, have befallen me, represented by the sun, Matt. xiii. 6-21. My mother's children were angry with me--False brethren, who pretend that the church is their mother, when their actions demonstrate, that God, the husband of the church, is not their father; hypocritical professors, who are, and ever were, the keenest enemies to the true church and people of God; false teachers, and their followers, who, by their corrupt doctrines, and divisions, and contentions, bring great mischief to the church. Made me keeper of the vineyards—Having prevailed against me, they used me like a slave, Verse 4. Draw me--By thy grace and Holy Spi-putting me upon the most troublesome services, such rit. We will-Both I, thy spouse, and the virgins, as the keeping of the vineyards was esteemed, 2 my companions. And this change of numbers Kings xxv. 12; Isa. lxi. 5; Matt. xx. 17. Mine own teaches us, that the spouse is one great body, con- vineyard have I not kept-They gave me such a sisting of many members; run after thee-Will full employment in the drudging work about their follow thee readily, cheerfully, and swiftly. The vineyards, that they left me no time to mind my king hath brought me, &c.-Christ, the king of his own; they hindered me from doing my own duty, church, hath answered my prayer; into his cham- and from minding my own concerns. And therebers--Where I may freely converse with him, and fore it is no wonder if I be uncomely, and scorched enjoy him. He hath taken me into intimate com- by the sun. munion with himself. We will remember thy love, &c.-This shall be the matter of our thoughts and discourses. Verse 7. Tell me, &c.--Notwithstanding all these discouragements and afflictions, which I suffer for thy sake, and for my love to thee. Being reproached Love of the church to Christ. A. M. 2990. B. C. 1014. 8 ¶ If thou know not, O thou fair- || spikenard sendeth forth the smell A. M. 2990. est among women, go thy way forth thereof. by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents. 13 A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. 14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of 9 I have compared thee, O my love, ots. i 15 Behold, thou art fair, 5 my love; behold, 10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. 16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, 11 ¶ We will make thee borders of gold with || pleasant: also our bed is green. studs of silver. 17 The beams of our house are cedar, and 6 12 ¶ While the King sitteth at his table, my || our rafters of fir. and persecuted by others, I flee to thee, O my only refuge and joy, and beg direction and help from thee; where thou feedest thy flock-Discover to me which is thy true church, and which are those assemblies and people where thou art present. This is the request of particular believers. Where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon--In the heat of the day, when the shepherds, in those hot countries, used to lead their flocks into shady places. Whereby he means the time of persecution, when it is hard to discover the true church, because she is deformed by it, and because she is obscured and driven into the wilderness. Why should I be as one that turneth aside? Or a wanderer, or vagabond; like a neglected and forlorn creature, exposed both to censure and danger. By the flocks of thy companions -The assemblies of corrupt teachers and worshippers. These she calls Christ's companions, because they profess the name of Christ, and their conjunction with him in God's worship. Verse 8. If thou know not-This is Christ's answer; go thy way, &c.-Observe and follow the paths which my sheep have trodden before thee, my faithful servants, Abraham and others. For the church in all ages is one and the same, and there is but one way, for the substance, in which all the saints, from the beginning to the end of the world walk, Christ being the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever. Feed thy kids-Take care for the feeding of all, and especially young and weak Christians. Beside the shepherds' tents-Under the conduct, and according to the instruction of my faithful shepherds, chiefly those who have gone before thee, the prophets and apostles, and in subordination to them, and to their writings, others, whom I shall raise, from time to time, to feed my people. Verses 9-11. I have compared thee-For strength and courage, to overcome all thine enemies; to a company of horses-For horses are famous for that property, and the strength of the battle was then thought to consist much in horses and chariots, especially in a company or multitude of them. And the church in this book is represented not only as fair and beautiful, but also as terrible to her enemies. 12, 13.4 Or, cypress, Chap. iv. 13.- Chap. iv. 1; v. 12. 5 Or, my companion.- 6 Or, galleries. Thy cheeks, &c., with rows of jewels-Which being fastened to the heads of brides, used to hang down upon their cheeks in those times. He mentions the cheeks, as the chief seat of beauty. Thy neck with || chains of gold-Whereby, as well as by the rows of jewels, he may seem to design all those persons and things wherewith the church is made beautiful in the eyes of God and of men, such as excellent ministers and saints, righteous laws, holy ordinances, and the gifts and graces of God's Spirit. We-I and my father; will make thee borders of gold-Beautiful and honourable ornaments. Verse 12. While the king-My royal husband; sitteth at the table-With me in his ordinances. My spikenard-The graces of his Spirit conferred upon me, here compared to those sweet ointments, || which the master of the feast caused to be poured out upon the heads of the guests, (Luke vii. 38,) in which ointments spikenard was a chief ingredient; sendeth forth the smell thereof This denotes the exercise and manifestation of her graces, which are a sweet-smelling savour in the nostrils of her husband, and of her companions. Verses 13, 14. A bundle of myrrh-Myrrh was ever reckoned among the best perfumes; shall lie, &c.-This phrase may denote the church's intimate union with, and hearty affection to Christ. My beloved is as a cluster of camphire-We are not concerned to know exactly what this was; it being confessed that it was some grateful plant, and that it set forth that great delight which the church hath in the enjoyment of Christ; in the vineyards of Engedi-A pleasant and well-watered place in the tribe of Judah, where there were many pleasant plants. Verse 15. Behold, thou art fair-This is the speech of Christ. The words are doubled to manifest his fervent affection for her. Thou hast doves' eyes-Which are mild and harmless, chaste and faithful. And by the eyes he seems to design both her outward behaviour and the inward disposition of her mind. Verses 16, 17. Behold, thou art fair--The church here again speaks, and retorts Christ's words; thou, and thou only, art fair indeed; yea, pleasant—As thou art beautiful in thyself, so thou art amiable and The church rejoices in Christ. SOLOMON'S SONG. Her desire to please him. pleasant in thy condescension to me. Also, our bed || are cedar-Not only strong, but also fragrant and --This seems to denote the place where the church || delightful; and our rafters of fir—Or, rather, as the enjoys sweet fellowship with Christ, by his Spirit ancients and others render, of cypress; accompanying his ordinances; is green-Is pleasant, which also was strong and fragrant, and therefore as that colour to the eye. The beams of our house || suits well with cedar. CHAPTER II. Christ speaks of himself and his church, 1, 2. The church declares the delightful fellowship she had with Christ, 3, 4. Rejoices in his favour, and takes care that nothing may displease him, 5–7. Triumphs in his love and gracious call, 8–13. Christ's care of the church, 14, 15. Her faith and hope in him, 16, 17. A. M. 2000. I AM the rose of Sharon, and the B. C. 1014. lily of the valleys. 2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. 3 As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. 1I sat down under his shadow with great delight, a and his fruit was sweet to my 2 taste. 4 He brought me to the banqueting-house, and his banner over me was love. 5 Stay me with flagons, apples: for I am sick of love. 3 4 с 7 51° charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. 8 The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. 9 d My beloved is like a roe, or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh comfort me with forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice. NOTES ON CHAPTER II. Verses 1, 2. I am the rose of Sharon―These are the words of the bridegroom. He compares himself to the rose and lily, for fragrancy and beauty. Sharon was a very fruitful place, and famous for roses. As the lily among thorns-Compared with thorns, which it unspeakably exceeds in glory and beauty; so is my love-So far doth my church, or people, excel all other assemblies. The title of daughter is often given to whole nations. These are Christ's words, to which the spouse makes the following reply. Verse 3. As the apple-tree-Whose fruit is very pleasant and wholesome; among the trees of the wood-Which are barren. I sat down under his shadow-I confidently reposed myself under his protection. His fruit was sweet to my taste-The benefits which I received by him, namely, remission of sins, faith, grace, and assurance of glory. to persons ready to faint. By these metaphors understand the application of the promises, and the quickening influences of the Spirit. His left hand No sooner did I cry out for help, but he was at hand to succour me. Verse 7. I charge you-This is spoken by the bride. By the roes-By the example of those creatures, which are pleasant and loving in their carriage toward one another; that ye stir not up, nor awake-That you do not disturb nor offend him; till he please-Never, as this word until, in such phrases, is commonly used. For neither can sin ever please him, nor can the church bear it, that Christ should ever be offended, or that her sweet fellowship with him should be interrupted. Verse 8. The voice of my beloved-Christ's voice, the word of grace revealed outwardly in the gospel, and inwardly by the Spirit of God. Behold, he cometh leaping-She saith, leaping and skipping, to denote that Christ came readily and swiftly, with great desire and pleasure; and adds, upon the mountains and hills, to signify Christ's resolution to come in spite of all difficulties. Verses 4-6. He brought me to the banquetinghouse-The places in which believers received the graces and blessings of Christ. His banner over me-By the lifting up whereof I was invited to come to him, and to list myself under him; was love- Verse 9. My beloved is like a roe-In swiftness. The love of Christ crucified, which, like a banner, is He is coming to me with all speed, and will not displayed in the gospel. Stay me-Or, support me, tarry a moment beyond the proper season. He keep me from fainting. The spouse speaks this to standeth behind our wall-And while he doth, for her bride-maids, the daughters of Jerusalem: or wise reasons, forbear to come, he is not far from us. to the bridegroom himself: with flagons-With Both this and the following phrases may denote the wine, which is a good cordial: with apples-With obscure manner of Christ's manifesting himself to odoriferous apples, the smell whereof was grateful || his people, under the law, in comparison of his dis Christ's care of the church. A. M. 2990. B. C. 1014. 10 ¶ My beloved spake, and said || rock, in the secret places of the stairs, A. M. 2990. unto me, • Rise up, my love, my fair || let me see thy countenance, let me one, and come away. hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy 11 For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over countenance is comely. and gone; 12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; 15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. i 16 My beloved is mine, and I am his; he feedeth among the lilies. 13 The fig-tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good 17 Until the day break, and the shadows smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou 'like away. a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of 140 my dove, that art in the clefts of the Bether. 7 • Verse 13.- Verse 10.- - Chap. viii. 13.- h Psa. lxxx.i Chap. vi. 3; vii. 10.13; Ezek. xiii. 4; Luke xiii. 32. k Chap. iv. 6. Verse 9; Chap. viii. 14.-7 Or, of division. before me; let me hear thy voice-Thy prayers and praises. For sweet is thy voice, &c.-Thy person and services are amiable in my sight. coveries in the gospel. He looketh forth at the win-Let me see thy countenance-Be not afraid to appear dow-This phrase, and that, through the lattice, intimate that the church does indeed see Christ, but as through a glass, darkly, as it is said even of gospel revelations, (1 Cor. xiii. 12,) which was much more true of legal administrations. Verse 15. Take us-The bridegroom gives this charge to his bridemen or friends. By whom he under Christ, the custody of the vineyards, of the churches, principally belongs. These he commands to take the foxes, to restrain them from doing this mischief; the foxes-The disturbers of the vineyard, or the church, namely, seducers or false teachers; the little foxes-This he adds for more abundant caution, to teach the church to prevent errors and heresies in the beginnings; that spoil the vines-Which foxes do many ways, by gnawing and breaking the little branches and leaves, by digging holes in the vineyards, and so spoiling the roots; for our vines have tender grapes-Which are easily spoiled, if great care be not used to prevent it. Verses 10-13. My beloved spake-Invited me out- understands those magistrates and ministers to whom, wardly by his word, and inwardly by his Spirit.|| Rise up, my love-Shake off sloth, and disentangle thyself more fully from all the snares of this world. And come away-Unto me, and with me; follow me fully, serve me perfectly, labour for a nearer union, and more satisfying communion with me. || The winter is past-Spiritual troubles, arising from a deep sense of the guilt of sin, the wrath of God, the curse of the law; all which made them afraid to come unto God. But, saith Christ, I have removed these impediments, God is reconciled; there- || fore cast off all discouragements and excuses, and come to me. The flowers appear on the earth— The communications of God's grace, the gifts, and|| graces, and comforts of the Holy Spirit, are vouch- Verse 16. My beloved is mine-These are the safed unto, and appear in, believers, as buds and words of the bride, who, having come to him upon blossoms do in the spring. The time of singing is his gracious invitation, now maketh her boast of him. come-When birds sing most freely and sweetly, as He feedeth among the lilies-Abideth and refreshthey do in spring. And the voice of the turtle || eth himself among his faithful people, who are comis heard―This seems particularly to be mentioned,pared to lilies, verse 2. because it not only gives notice of the spring, but aptly represents the Spirit of God, which even the Chaldee paraphrast understands by this turtle, which appeared in the shape of a dove, and which worketh a dove-like meekness, and chastity, and faithfulness, in believers. The fig-tree putteth forth her figsWhich it shoots forth in the spring; and the vines, fc., give a good smell-Which, though not strong, is pleasant and grateful. || Verse 17. Until the day-break-Until the morning of that blessed day of the general resurrection, when all the shadows, not only of ignorance, and sin, and calamity, but even of all ordinances, and outward administrations, shall cease. Turn, my beloved-Return to me. For although Christ had come to her, and she had gladly received him, yet he was gone again, as is here implied, and evidently appears from the following verse. Which sudden Verse 14. O my dove-So the church is called, change is very agreeable to the state of God's people for her dove-like temper, and for her dove-like con- in this world, where they are subject to frequent dition, because she is weak, and exposed to persecu- changes; be thou like a roe-In swiftness; make tion, and therefore forced to hide herself in rocks; haste to help me; upon the mountains of Betherin the secret places of the stairs-In the holes of A place in the land of promise, where it seems those craggy and broken rocks, which resemble stairs. | creatures were in great abundance. 3 43 |