Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Ckrists Love for the Church. SOLOMON'S SONG VII. The Graces of the Church Desci {bed.
of Jacob's victorious conflict by prayer (Genesis 32. 2, 9, 22-
Eastern kings had In violation of the marriage law (1 Kings 11. 1-3). 9. Hollow professors, like half wives, have no part in the one bride, only one of her mother
30). Thougli she is peace, yet she has warfare here, between flesh and spirit within and foes without; her strength, as Jacob's at Mahanalm, is Jesus Christ and His host enlisted on her side by prayer; whence she obtains those graces which raise the admiration of the daughters of Jerusalem.
-viz., "Jeiusaleni above" (Galatians 4.26). The "little
Bister" (ch. 8. 8) is not inconsistent with her being "the only one;" for that sister is one with herself (John 10. 16). choice—(Ephesiaus 1. 4 ; 2Thessalonians 2. 13.) As she exalted Him above all others (ch. 5. 10), so He now her. daughters . . . blessed her—(Isaiah 8. 18; 61.9; Ezekiel
CHAPTER VII.
Ver. 1-13. thy feet—rather, <7ij/s'otn£rj (Psalm 17. 5). Evident allusion to Isaiah 52. 7 : " How beautiful . . . are the
16. 14 ; 2 Thessalonians 1. 10.) So at her appearance after Pentecost (Acts 4. 13; 6. 15; 24. 25 ; 28. 28). 10. The words expressing the admiration of the daughters. Historically (Acts 5. 24-39). as the morning—as yet she is not come to the fulness of her light (Proverbs 4. 18). moon—shining feet of him . . . that publisheth peace" (Shulamite, ch. 6.
13). shoes—sandals are richly jewelled in tlie East (Luke
15. 22; Epliesians 6. 15). Slie is evidently "on the mountains," whither slie was wafted (ch. 6. 12), above the daughters of Jerusalem, who therefore portray her feet first, daughter—of God tlie Father, with whom Jesus Christ in the night, by light borrowed from the sun ; so the bride. In the darkness of this world, reflects tlie light of the Sun of rigliteousness (2 Corinthians 3. 18). sun—her light of justification is perfect, for it is His (2 Corinthians 5.
is one (Matthew 5. 0), "children of (tlie) God" (of peoxe), equivalent to Shulamite (Psalm 45. 10-15; 2 Corinthians 6.
21; IJolm 4. 17). Tlie moon has less light, and has only one half illuminated ; so the bride's sanctificatlon is as yet imperfect. Her future glory (Matthew 13. 43). army —<v. 4.) The climax requires this to be applied to the starry and angelic hosts, from which God is called Lord of Sabaoth. Her final glory (Genesis 15. 5 ; Daniel 12. 3
18), as well as bride of Jesus Christ. "Prince's," therefore princely herself, freely giving the word of life to others, not sparing her " feet," as in ch. 5. 3 ; Exodus 12. 11. To act on the ofl"ensive is defensive to ourselves, joints—rather, the rounding ; tlie full graceful curve of the hips in the female figure; like the rounding of a necklace (as the Hebrew for "jewels" means). Cf. with tlie English Version, Ephesians 4. 13-16; C'olossians 2. 19. Or, applying it to the ptrdie binding together the robes round the hips (Ephesians 6. 14.) cunning workman—(Psalni 139. 14-16; Ephfesians 2. 10, 22; 5. 29, 30, 32.) 2. navel—rather, girdle-clasp, called from tlie part of the person underneath. The "shoes"
Revelation 12.1). The Church Patriarchal, "the morning;" Levitical, "the moon;" Evangelical, "the sun;" Triumphant, "the bannered army" (Revelation 19. 14). 11. The bride's words; for she everywhere is the narrator, and often soliloquizes, which He never does. The first garden (ch. 2. 11-13) was that of spring, full of flowers and grapes not yet ripe; tlie second, autumn, with spices (whicli are always connected with the person of Jesus
(v. 1) prove that dress is throughout presupposed on all parts where it is usually worn. She is "a bride adorned for her husband;" the "uncomely parts," being most adorned (1 Corinthians 12. 23). The girdle-clasp was adorned with red rubies resembling the "round goblet" (crater or mixer) of spice-mixed wine (not "liquor," ch. 8.
Christ), and nothing unripe (ch. 4. 13, Ac). The third here, of " nuts," from the previous autumn; the end of winter, and verge of spring; the Church in the upper room (Acts
1. 13, &c.), when one dispensation was just closed, the other not yet begun ; the hard shell of tlie old needing to be broken, and its Inner sweet kernel extracted [Origen] (Luke 24. 27, 32); waiting for the Holy Ghost to usher in spiritual spring. The walnut is meant, with a bitter outer husk, a hard shell, and sweet kernel. So the Word is distasteful to the careless; wlien awakened, the sinner finds the letter hard, until the Holy Ghost reveals the sweet inner spirit, fruits of the valley Mauber translates, "the bloomi>\g products of the river," i. e., tiie plants growing on the margin of tiie river flowing througli the garden. Slie goes to watch the first sproutings of the various plants. Vi. Sudden outpourings of the Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2.), wliilst the Cliurch was using the means (answering to " the garden," v. 11 ; John 3. 8). Ammi-nadlb —supposed to be one proverbial for swift driving. Similarly (ch. 1. 9). Rather, my willing people (Psalm 110. 3). A willing chariot bore a "willing people;" or Nadib is the Prince, Jesus Christ (Psalm 68. 17). She is borne in a moment into His presence (Epliesians 2. 6). 13. Entreaty of the daugliters of Jerusalem to her, in her chariot-like
2; Isaiah 5. 22). The wine of the "New Testament in His blood" (Luke 22. 20). The spiritual exhilaration bj' it was mistaken for that caused by new wine (Acts 2. 13-17; Ephesians 5. 18). belly i. e., the vesture on it. As In Psalms 45. 13, 14, gold and needlework compose the bride's attire, so golden-coloured "wheat" and white "lilies" here. The ripe grain, in token of harvest joy, used to be decorated with lilies; so the accumulated spiritual food (John 6.35; 12. 24), free from chaff, not fenced with thorns, but made attractive by lilies (believers, ch. 2. 2; Acts 2. 46, 47 ; 5. 13, 14, in common partaking of it). Associated with the exhilarating wine-cup (Zechariah 9. 17), as here. 3. The daughters of Jerusalem describe her in the same terms as Jesus Christ in ch. 4. 5. The testimonies of heaven and earth coincide, twins—faith and love. 4. tower of ivory—in ch. 4. 4, Jesus Christ saitli, "a tower of David builded for an armoury." Strength and conquest are the main thought in His description ; here, beauty and polished whiteness ; contrast ch. 1. 5. tishpools—seen by Burckhardt, clear (Revelation 22. 1), deep, quiet, and full (1 Corinthians 2. 10, 15). Heshbon east of Jordan, residence of tlie Aniorite king, Sihon (Numbers 21. 25, &c.), afterwards held by Gad. Bath-rab- \>lm.—Daughter of a multitude; a crowded thoroughfare. Her eyes (ch. 4. 1) are called by Jesus Christ, "doves' eyes," waiting on Him. But here, looked on by the daugliters of Jerusalem, they are compared to a placid lake. She is calm evea amidst the crowd (Proverbs 8. 2; John 16. 3;J). nose—or, /oce. tower of Lebanon—a border flight from them (cf. 2 Kings 2. 12; 2 Samuel 19. 14). Shulamlte—new name applied to her now first. Feminine of Solomon, Prince of Peace; His bride, daughter of peace, accepting and proclaiming it (Isaiah 52. 7; John 14. 27; Romans 5. 1 ; Epliesians 2. 17). Historically, tliis name answers to the time wlien, not without a Divine design in it, the young Churcli met in Solomon's porch (Acts 3. 11 ; 5. 12). The entreaty, "Return, O Shulamite," answers to tiie people's desire to keep Peter and John, after the lame man was lieaied, when they were about to enter tlie temfortress, watching the hostile Damascus. Towards Jesus Christ her face was full of holy shame (ch. 4. 1, 3, notes); towards spiritual foes, like a watchtower (Habakkuk 2.
ple. Tiieir reply attributing the glory not to themselves, but to Jesus Christ, answers to the bride's reply here, "What will ye see"' in me? "As it were," &c. She accepts the name Shulamite, as truly describing her. But adds, lliat tho\igh "one" (v. 9), she is nevertlieless "two." Her glories archer Lord's, beaming through lier (Epliesians '). 31, 32). Tlie two armies are the family of Jesus Christ In h(»iven, and tliat on earth, joined and one witlj Him; tlie one militant, the otlier triumpiiant. Or Jesus Clirist and His ministering angels are one army, the Cluirch tlie otlier, botli being one (John 17.21, 22). Altuaiou is made to Malianuim (meaning two hosts), the scene
1 ; Mark 13. .57 ; Acts 4. 13), elevated, so that she looks not up from earth to heaven, but down from heaven to earth.
If we retain "nose," discernment of spiritual fragrance Is meant. 5. upon thee—tlie 7iearf-cZ» e«.? " upon" her. Carmel—signifying a tvell-cultivated field (Isaiah 35. 2). In ch.
5. 15 He is compared to majestic Lebanon; she here, to fruitful Carmel. Her head-dress, or crown (2 Timothy 4.
8; 1 Peter 6.4). Also the souls won by her (1 Thessalonians 2. 19. 20), a token of her fru Ufulncss. purple—roy