Chapter 1:
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Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ecclesiastes Isaiah
Song of Solomon 1
Introduction to Song of Solomon
Verse 1. The song - The most excellent of all songs. And so this might
well be called, whether you 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 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 - The beginning is abrupt; but is suitable to, and usual
in writing of this nature, wherein things are not related in an
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 goodwill, 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. Wine - Than the most delicious meat or drink, or
than all sensible delights, one kind being put for all.
Verse
3. Ointments - Because of those excellent gifts and graces of
God's Spirit wherewith thou art replenished. Thy name - Thy
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 most acceptable, and
refreshing. The virgins - called the companions of the bride,
Psalm xlv, 14, particular believers, who are called virgins, 2Cor
xi, 2 Rev. xiv, 4, who have their senses exercised to perceive this
sweetness and fulness of Christ.
Verse
4. Draw me - By thy grace and Holy Spirit. We - Both I, thy
spouse, and the virgins, my companions. And this change of
numbers teaches us that the spouse is one great body, consisting
of many members. Run - Will follow thee readily, chearfully, and
swiftly. The king - Christ, the king of his church, hath answered
my prayer. Chambers - Where I may freely converse with him,
and enjoy him. He hath taken me into intimate communion with
himself. Remember - This shall be the matter of our thoughts and
discourses.
Verse
5. Black - I confess, as to myself, I am contemptible and
deformed. She alludes to the complexion of Pharaoh's daughter.
Comely - Yet I am glorious within, and comely through the
beauty which my husband hath put upon me, by his graces
conferred upon me, in justification and sanctification. Daughters -
By which she understands particular believers, whose mother,
Jerusalem is called, Gal. iv, 26. The tents - Of the wild Arabians,
the posterity of Kedar, Gen. xxv, 13, who dwelt in tents, and were
black and uncomely. The curtains - 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 - With wonder and disdain. Mother's children - 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; hypocritial professors, who are, and ever were, the
keenest enemies; false teachers, and their followers, who by their
corrupt doctrines, and divisions, and contentions, bring great
mischief to the church. Made me - Having prevailed against me,
they used me like a slave, putting me upon the most troublesome
services, such as the keeping of the vineyards was esteemed, 2
Kings xxv, 12 Isaiah lxi, 5 Matt. xx, 1-7. Not kept - They gave me
such a full employment in the drudging work about their
vineyards, that they left me no time to mind my own; they
hindered me from doing my own duty, and from minding my own
concerns. And therefore it is no wonder if I be uncomely and
scorched by the sun.
Verse
7. Tell me - Notwithstanding all these discouragements and
afflictions which I suffer for thy sake, and for my love to thee.
Being reproached and persecuted by others, I flee to thee, O my
only refuge and joy. 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. 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. That turneth - Or, a
wanderer, or vagabond; like a neglected and forlorn creature
exposed both to censure and danger. The flocks - The assemblies
of corrupt teachers and worshippers. These he calls Christ's
companions because they profess the name of Christ, and their
conjunction with him in God's worship.
Verse
8. If - This is Christ's answer. Go - 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 of the world walk, Christ being the
same yesterday, and to day, and forever. Feed - Take care for the
feeding of all, and especially young and weak Christians. Beside -
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,
and to others whom I shall raise from time to time to feed my
people.
Verse
9. Compared thee - For strength and courage, to overcome all
thine enemies. 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.
Verse
10. 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. Chains - 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.
Verse
11. We - I and my father. Will make - Beautiful and honourable
ornaments.
Verse
12. The king - My royal husband. Sitteth - With me in his
ordinances. 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 - This denotes the exercise and manifestation
of her graces, which is a sweet smelling savour in the nostrils of
her husband, and of her companies.
Verse
13. Myrrh - Myrrh, was ever reckoned among the best perfumes.
Shall lie - This phrase may denote the churches intimate union
with, and hearty affection to Christ.
Verse
14. Camphire - We are not concerned to know exactly what this
was; it being confessed, that it was some grateful plant, and that it
sets forth that great delight which the church hath in the
enjoyment of Christ. Engedi - A pleasant and well-watered place
in the tribe of Judah, where there were many pleasant plants.
Verse
15. Behold - This is the speech of Christ. The words are doubled
to manifest his fervent affection for her. 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.
Verse
16. Behold - The church here again speaks, and retorts Christ's
words; thou, and thou only art fair indeed. Pleasant - As thou art
beautiful in thyself, so thou art amiable and pleasant in thy
condescention to me. Bed - This seems to denote the place where
the church enjoys sweet fellowship with Christ, by his spirit
accompanying his ordinances. Green - Is pleasant, as that colour
to the eye.
Verse
17. Cedar - Not only strong, but also fragrant and delightful.
Cypress - Which also was strong and fragrant, and therefore suits
well with cedar.
Chapter 1:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ecclesiastes Isaiah
This version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1997, by Sulu D. Kelley. All rights reserved. Used by permission. It may not be modified or used commercially without permission of Wesleyan Heritage Publishing and Sulu Kelley. A special thanks to Mr. Kelley and Wesleyan Heritage Publishing for permission to create and post this version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible.
Genesis
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Song of Solomon
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