THE
SONG OF SOLOMON

1 Hebr. Who shall give thee unto me, as my brother! See the annotations at Deut. 5 on verse 29; Psalm 14 on verse 7. This is a wish and longing of the bride, or of the godly, earnestly wishing and longing that they might live to see that day wherein they might behold Christ, their Bridegroom (being become their Brother, according to the flesh) manifested in the flesh. How greatly many of the people of God in the Old Testament longed after this, see Mat. 13:17; John 8:56; Heb. 11:13.

2 In a spiritual way here is to be understood by the mother, the universal church, the heavenly Jerusalem, which is the mother of us all, Gal. 4:26. Christ has drunk from the same breasts, which we have drunk, when He did partake of the sacraments of the Old and New Testaments, circumcision, the Passover, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, so to fulfill all righteousness, Mat. 3:15.

3To kiss is a manifestation of love, sometimes also of honor and obedience. See Psalm 2:12; Cant. 1:2.

4 These persons are despised who either do or at least are counted to do something that is not honest or not seemly and decent, Gen. 38:23; 2 Sam. 6:16; Isa. 37:22. While than the bride by kissing her Bridegroom openly in the street, that is, by professing Him publicly before men, and acknowledging Him to be her Savior, can do nothing unseemly or unbefitting, she cannot in that respect be justly despised or mocked by any godly persons. Or these words (I should not be despised) may be taken in this sense; as if the bride had said: Mine enemies, that is, the unbelievers, would then no more deride mine hope and expectation, which I have concerning the Messiah’s coming in the flesh, as they were wont to do, when the promises of God tarried a while and were not presently accomplished, as appears in Psalm 42:10; 2 Peter 3:4.

5 Namely, with reverence and with joy; desiring to disperse or spread abroad Christ, that is, the knowledge of Christ in the universal church both of Jews and Gentiles.

6 That is, into the church or assemblies of believers, which are God’s houses and temples, 2 Cor. 6:16; Gal. 4:26; Heb. 3:6.

7 The church speaks to Christ. See Deut. 18:15; Isa. 2:2, 3; Micah 4:1, 2; John 1:18; 4:25; 15:15; Heb. 1:1.

8 That is, I would bring forth such good fruits to Thy praise and glory, that would be as pleasing and acceptable unto Thee as wine mingled with spices, or hippocras, or the juice of pomegranates can be to any man.

9 This pleasant drink is totally in contrast to that cup whereof mention is made in Rev. 17:2, 4.

10 The bride, considering her own weakness, beseeches the Bridegroom to comfort and support her, to the end that she may find rest for her soul, Cant. 2:6. Other, His left hand is, or lies, under my head, that is, in the mean while He takes care for me, manifesting His strength in my weakness; He supports me in my great necessity, as a faithful husband assists his wife in her necessity and distress.

a Cant. 2:6.

11 That is, I charge you by oath. The bride, feeling now the gracious comforts and consolations of her Bridegroom, wishes that she may be and constantly continue partaker thereof, forbidding her friends to disquiet or to trouble the same. See Cant. 2:7; 3:5. Namely, by heresies, schism or scandal. Some are of the opinion that the Bridegroom speaks in this verse.

b Cant. 2:7; 3:5.

12 Other, why or to what end should ye stir up that love or awake before it please her? This question signifies as much as if it were said: Stir not up this love; it will neither benefit you nor us to vex and grieve your mother, the church. See the like phrase Cant. 2:7; 3:5.

13 These are the words of the Bridegroom, admiring at the rising of a new church in a place where there had been no assembly of believers previously. Or, if these are the words of the ancient church of believers (as some believe) then it is an admiration of the daughters of Jerusalem at the growth, strength, steadfast and immoveable faith and patience of this church, leaning, trusting and relying only upon the gracious defense and protection of her Bridegroom. Compare Cant. 3:6.

14 By the wilderness in this place may be understood the nations of this world, out of which the people of God are chosen and called, John 15:19.

15 Other, joining herself unto or associating herself with her beloved. The Hebrew word, which is used in the text, is found nowhere else, but only here. By this phrase of leaning upon her beloved is shown the weakness and infirmity which the bride feels in herself, her strength consisting alone in Christ, her Bridegroom, upon Whom she, leaning and relying by faith, is strengthened in all fears, doubts, temptations and dangers, as being, by union and communion with Him, made partakers of His graces and benefits, for he who is joined unto the Lord, is one spirit with Him, 1 Cor. 6:17, Who makes him perfect, established, strengthened and settled, 1 Peter 5:10.

16 These are the words of the bride unto her Bridegroom, Whom she, as it were, raises up and awakes out of sleep by her earnest and fervent prayer, as Psalm 44:23; 68:1; 78:65.

17 Understand here by the apple tree the tree of grace, whose shadow and fruits are pleasing and delightful to the bride.

18 Namely, under the apple tree.

19 Or thus: there was thy mother in labour of thee, there was she in labour that bare thee; Thy mother, that is, the first church, or assembly of believers, in which Christ, in a manner of speaking, may be said to be born, namely, by the preaching, professing and practicing of His Word, and by suffering for it.

20 To bring forth Christ into the world by the preaching of the Gospel is here typified and represented unto us under the comparison of a woman, being in travail or in pain of childbearing, as Gal. 4:19; Rev. 12:2. As childbearing is accompanied with much pain and sorrow, so is it likewise when one brings Christ in the hearts and minds of the people, in order that they believe in Him. This is not done without much labor, care, and grief. See 2 Cor. 4:8, 9, 10, 11; 6:4, 5.

21 In these words the bride prays to Christ for assurance and confirmation of His love to her in order that she might be set and abide as a seal in and upon His heart, and continue so forever. This has respect to the breastplate of the high priest, wherein were graven the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, in or upon twelve precious stones, Exod. 28:21, 29. At all times seals were made use of for confirmation of a thing that was written or promised, to the end, that the same might not be broken. See Neh. 9:38; Jer. 22:24; Hag. 2:23; Mal. 3:16; 2 Tim. 2:19.

22 The high priest carried the names of the twelve tribes not only upon his heart, but also upon his shoulders, for a memorial or remembrance of the children of Israel. See Isa. 49:16. Some perceive that by the heart here is meant the inward and intimate love of the Bridegroom, and by the arm the outward manifestation of His love, as Psalm 77:15; 86:11.

23 Namely, the spiritual love of the bride unto Christ, and in like manner the love of Christ unto His church and elect.

24 The meaning is: As death by its power overcomes and conquers even the strongest man, Psalm 89:48, so the mutual love between us both is exceeding strong and cannot be even quenched in us by any enemy or adversity, no, not by death itself.

25 Or, zeal. This signifies a vehement, burning, fervent love. This love or zeal is said to be hard as the grave, because it devours and overcomes all difficulties, Gal. 5:24; Col. 3:5, even as death and the grave do swallow up all things.

26 Here is spoken of the burning coals of love, which kindle and inflame the heart, and cannot be quenched.

27 That is, great mighty flames. Or, flames which are kindled by the LORD. Understand the flame or fire of the love and the Spirit of Christ, which may justly be called great, by reason of the strength of His love and the powerful working of the Spirit in the hearts of the elect.

28 By waters and streams are oftentimes signified in Scripture adversities, persecutions, temptations, which the Lord Christ sustained for our sakes, and whereby the faith, love and patience of the children of God are exercised and tried, as Psalm 42:7; 69:1; Isa. 8:7, 8; 59:19; Dan. 9:26; 11:22; Mat. 7:27. See the annotation at 2 Sam. 22 on verse 17. Compare Rom. 8:35-39.

c Rom. 8:28, etc.

29 Or, overwhelm, or, overflow.

30 Hebr. contemning they would contemn him, that is, he would not be able to get it for the same, or his wealth or substance would not be accepted to give him this love for it. Or, it would be utterly despised. As the love which is between Christ and His church, cannot be separated, being tied and fastened together by the bond of the Holy Spirit, so neither can love nor any other spiritual gift be bought for money, but it is a free gift of God, Who gives to whomever He pleases, Acts 8:18, 19, 20; Rom. 9:11-19.

31 The church of the Old Testament speaks here unto Christ of a new rising church, which would be called and gathered from among the Gentiles, which was often promised of old, as Psalm 2:8; 72:8; Isa. 11:10, and which she calls her sister, in respect of the unity of faith. The Jewish church is called the eldest sister, because she was first called to the fellowship of the covenant. See Rom. 9:4, 5.

32 Thus the church, which consists of Gentiles, is called, not but because she is little in respect of the number of believers, but because she was called later to the knowledge of God in Christ, namely, in the fullness of time, Eph. 1:10; 2:6. For otherwise this least or youngest sister, who had been so long barren and unfruitful, has born many more children than the eldest sister.

33 That is, she is not yet marriageable or of age to marry, that is, the time is not yet come that the Gentiles would be brought unto Christ and to be married to Him.

34 That is, when the time of her conversion unto Christ shall come, we shall then do or contribute our best towards her assistance, growth and establishment in the truth and in the faith. It intimates and shows the duty and office of love which one particular church owes unto another in the communication of gifts, and in praying for one another. See Acts 11:19, 22, 23. Other, when she shall be spoken against, as the Hebrew letter beth is taken, Num. 21:5, where it is said: And the people spake against God, and against Moses. Also Psalm 119:23: Princes also did sit and speak against me. As soon as a people convert themselves unto God, straight way the wicked set themselves against it in words and works

d asked in marriage

35 Some take these words to be the words of Christ. Others, to be the words of the sister churches, wishing her prosperity.

36 Namely, the church out of the Gentiles.

37 That is, firm and strong in the faith, being well grounded upon the foundation of the doctrine of the twelve tribes of Israel and of the apostles. See Rev. 21:14, 19.

38 Herewith may be understood the sister churches or the Jewish churches, for, by the members thereof the Lord called the Gentiles to the fellowship and communion of saints, especially and by name by the holy apostles, who were all of them born Jews, who as wise builders laid the foundation of this silver palace, 1 Cor. 3:10.

39 That is, we shall more and more strengthen and adorn her, namely, by the Word and the preaching of the Holy Gospel.

40 Or, castle, or, strong tower, as they are apt to build in or at strong walls of the cities.

41 This signifies the purity, beauty and durability of this palace, being adorned with the gift of God’s Word and Spirit, whereupon she was to be built for an habitation of God, Eph. 2:22.

42 That is, if her heart stands open, to let in the preaching of the Word of God into her heart, and to receive it with joy.

43 Or, strengthen, compass, fence her. God the Lord promises in Zech. 2:5, that He will be a Wall of fire round about His church.

44 That is, with strong palisades, and other fences. Cedar wood, and the boards that are made of it, are fair, strong, lasting and of a good smell. Solomon’s temple was built of such kind of wood, 1 Kings 6:15. By these boards of cedar may here be understood the Word of truth, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail, Mat. 16:18; 2 Cor. 13:8.

45 That is, I am grown up and become strong in faith and in the love to Jesus Christ. In these words the little sister shows, as in a prophetical manner, her willingness and readiness to receive and to grow in the doctrine of the Holy Gospel. Others take these words to be the words of the Jewish church, praising the Lord Christ for His grace, in that she was become a city of God, or was received for the city of God; or, because her faith was strong as a wall.

46 The meaning of these words is: My breasts are grown big or fully grown, as Ezek. 16:7, 8. That is, the Divine service is confirmed in me, sufficiently to bring up children for Christ, feeding them with the milk of the Word of God, 1 Peter 2:2. The comparison of towers signifies also the strength, power and glory of the administration of the Holy Gospel, and the public preaching of the same from pulpits, or elevated places, to be made possible to be heard by all. For the Hebrew word migdal is also taken for a pulpit of wood, Neh. 8:5.

47 Namely, when I obtained this answer, whereof mention is made in verse 9. This the bride speaks to her companions.

48 Namely, in the eyes of Jesus Christ. Hereby the bride wishes to say: that it is an undeserved mercy, which she receives of her Bridegroom, that after long continued misery and affliction, she is comforted by Him. See Isa. 54:7, 8, etc. See also Eph. 2:12, 13, etc.

49 We are all together enemies of God, Rom. 5:10, namely, being considered in our corruption; but being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Isa. 32:17; Rom. 5:1. It is as if the bride had said here: The Bridegroom has pleased Himself with my faith and diligence, and therefore He was well pleased with me. Others take the meaning of these last words to be this: I was satisfied with that answer, and was well pleased.

50 These words may be taken as spoken by Christ, or by the bride. If they are the words of Christ, then it is a comparison between Solomon and his vineyard, and between Christ and His people. Solomon could not in his own person heed and attend his vineyards, (as neither David could do his, 1 Chron. 27:27), but appointed officers to keep and attend the same, who paid him a yearly rent for them, and themselves enjoyed some profit or benefit thereof for their labor; but Christ, Who is always present with His church, Mat. 28:20; Rev. 2:1, tends His own vineyard Himself, and therefore all the fruits and profits thereof pertain to Him alone. If these are the words of the bride, then they signify now a greater care and diligence in her, than in former times, when she confessed that she had not sufficiently kept or regarded the vineyard which she had, that is, with which she was entrusted, Cant. 1:6. Of Solomon’s vineyards, see Eccl. 2:4.

51 Other, in a fruitful place. Hebr. a master or lord of the multitude, that is, a place which bears many fruits, understanding thereby either the world, among the multitude of nations Christ has His own people, Psalm 87:4; or the church is so called, in respect of the manifold fruits which she yields unto God or ought to yield, being placed in a fruitful soil, upon which God had poured forth His blessing. See Isa. 5:1.

52 That is, he rented out or leased this vineyard to farmers or keepers to dress the same that it might bring forth much fruit.

53 By the keepers or dressers of the vineyard are to be understood the prophets of the Old, and the apostles with those who follow them in the New Testament. See Mat. 21:33; 1 Cor. 3:9.

54Thousand pieces of silver, or, thousand shekels of silver, hereby signifying the great fruitfulness of this vineyard, which brought in or yielded so much profit for the owner, besides the gain and profit of the farmer or of him who had hired it. See also Isa. 7:23.

55 Of the rate or value of the pieces of silver see Gen. 20:16; 23:15.

56 That is, My church, as Cant. 1:6; Isa. 5:1. They are the words of the Bridegroom.

57 That is, which is committed to My care and custody, of which I have the oversight.

58 I Myself do continually heed and regard it; I Myself take care that it be well dressed, not doing as Solomon, who left the entire care and business to the keepers. I Myself do receive My vineyard and My sheep, Ezek. 34:11, 12, etc.; John 10:14; Rev. 2:1.

59 As if He said: Thou, Solomon, shalt have thy full rent or revenue, namely, a thousand pieces of silver, verse 11.

60 That is, the laborers and keepers of the vineyard shall also have their due, everyone according to his labor. See Mat. 20:1, 2, etc.; 1 Cor. 3:8. Understand herewith: but the fruits of my vineyard do wholly and solely belong unto me. This honor do all faithful ministers of the church willingly ascribe unto their Lord Jesus Christ; we may plant and water, but it is God alone Who gives the increase, 1 Cor. 3:6, 7; 15:10.

61 Here Christ speaks to His bride, who dwells in the gardens, that is, who abides in those places where churches are planted in several regions and cities.

62 Or, in the pleasure grounds.

63 It seems that here by the companions must be understood the other believing Christians, who have obtained like precious faith, 2 Peter 1:1, and hear and follow the doctrine of the church.

64 Namely, thy voice.

65 Hebr. flee. It seems this is not to be taken as such in this signification, for, the church does not pray that Christ should flee or depart from her; that is the request of the Gadarenes, Mat. 8:34, but flee signifies here: Come to us as quickly as a man flees who is pursued. The bride prays and desires that she may see the end of the Kingdom of Christ in this world (where He is persecuted and afflicted in His members) and likewise her taking up into the high heavens. Now Christ reigns in the midst of His enemies, Psalm 110:2, and that shall henceforth continue until He shall have put all His enemies under His feet, and until He shall have delivered up the Kingdom unto God His Father, 1 Cor. 15:24, 25. The bride does earnestly long after this day and wishes that it may come quickly, and that the Bridegroom would assist her, while she is here below in the conflict or in the strife, Cant. 2:17, and that He would hasten His last coming for her deliverance and redemption. Or, if we will needs retain the word barach in its proper signification, than this must be the rendering and meaning of the words: Flee, my beloved … to the mountains of spices, that is, to the heavens, which are called here the mountains of spices, in respect of the height, the gladness and delight which shall be forever at the right hand of God. In Cant. 4:6 heaven is called a mountain of myrrh and a hill of frankincense. It is as much as if the bride here spoke after this manner: Although it would be very pleasing and delightful unto me to enjoy Thy bodily presence continually with me, yet I confess that it is better for me that Thou be in heaven to send from thence the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, unto me, and to prepare a place for me in Thy Father’s house, that Thou at length receive me unto Thyself into everlasting bliss, John 14:2; 16:7.

e Rev. 22:17, 20.

66 Which runs swiftly, that is, haste Thyself to come to us. See Cant. 2:8, 9, 17. As this Song of Solomon has begun with an earnest longing of the bride after her Bridegroom with Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, so it concludes with an earnest longing after the second coming of Christ, when He shall take up His church into everlasting joy. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. Christ Himself says: Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Rev. 22:17, 20, 21.