Clarke's Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4
Verse 4. Draw me - Let me have the full assurance of thy affection. We will run after thee - Speaking in the plural through modesty, while still herself is meant.
The king hath brought me - My spouse is a potentate, a mighty king, no ordinary person.
Into his chambers - He has favoured me with his utmost confidence.
The upright love thee. - The most perfect and accomplished find thee worthy of their highest esteem.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. Draw me , etc.] With the cords of love, for what draw lovers to each other more strongly? under the influence of that they cannot bear to be without each other’s company. Aben Ezra takes these words to be spoken by the virgins, who everyone of them said this, promising upon it to follow after the drawer; but they are rather the request of the church, desirous of nearer and more intimate communion with Christ; for this is not to be understood of drawing at first conversion, as the fruit of love, and under the influence of grace, ( Jeremiah 31:3 John 6:44); but of being brought nearer to Christ, and to enjoy more of him; we will run after thee ; the church and the virgins, she and her companions, or particular believers; everyone of them in their respective stations would act with more rigour upon such drawings; would run in a way of duty, follow Christ, and walk in his steps; and as they had him for an example, and according to his word, and in the ways of his commandments: or “that we may run after thee” f18 ; intimating that there is no running without drawing; no following Christ, at least no running after him with alacrity and cheerfulness, without being drawn by his love, and influenced by his grace; the King hath brought me into his chambers : the blessing she sought after, and was so solicitous for in the preceding verses; namely, to have the marriage consummated, to be owned by Christ as his spouse and bride, by taking her home, and introducing her into the nuptial chamber; by putting her into the enjoyment of himself, and the possession of his substance: and this being done by him as King of saints, yea, of the world, showed great condescension on his part, and great honour bestowed on her; since by this act, as he was King, she was declared queen! we will be glad and rejoice in thee : she and her bridesmaids, the virgins that attended her; that is, “when he should introduce” her into his chambers, as some render the words; then they should express their joy and gladness on that occasion; and that in the greatness, glory, and fitness of his person; in the fulness of grace in him; in the blessings of grace from him; in what he has done for, and is to his church and people; in the offices he bears, and in the relations he stands in to them; and particularly that of a husband, now declared; we will remember thy love more than wine : which, upon the introduction of the bride to the bridegroom, might be plentifully drank; of the preferableness of Christ’s love to wine, (see Gill on “ Song of Solomon 1:2”); it may design more particularly the love of Christ, expressed at this time of solemnizing the marriage between him and his church in an open manner, ( Hosea 2:19); and which would never be forgotten: Christ’s love is remembered when thought of and meditated upon; when faith is exercised on it, and the desires of the soul are drawn after it, and the affections set upon it; and when it is often spoken of to others, being uppermost in the mind; saints under the Gospel dispensation have an ordinance for this purpose, to, commemorate the love of Christ; the upright love thee ; or “uprightnesses” f20 ; men of upright hearts and conversations, who have right spirits renewed in them; or Israelites indeed, in whom there is no guile; who have the truth of grace in them, walk uprightly according to the rule of God’s word, and the Gospel of Christ; and do all they do sincerely, from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God; such love Christ superlatively, sincerely, fervently, and constantly; and “love [him] rightly”, or “most uprightly”, as some render the phrase.
Matthew Henry Commentary
The title. (Song 1:1) The church confesses her deformity. (Song 1:2-6 The church beseeches Christ to lead her to the resting-place of his people. (Song 1:7,8) Christ's commendation of the church, Her estee for Him. (Song 1:9-17)
Song 1:1 This is "the Song of songs," excellent above any others, for it is wholly taken up with describing the excellences of Christ, an the love between him and his redeemed people.
Song 1:2-6 The church, or rather the believer, speaks here in the character of the spouse of the King, the Messiah. The kisses of his mouth mean those assurances of pardon with which believers ar favoured, filling them with peace and joy in believing, and causin them to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost. Gracious soul take most pleasure in loving Christ, and being loved of him. Christ' love is more valuable and desirable than the best this world can give The name of Christ is not now like ointment sealed up, but lik ointment poured forth; which denotes the freeness and fulness of the setting forth of his grace by the gospel. Those whom he has redeeme and sanctified, are here the virgins that love Jesus Christ, and follo him whithersoever he goes, Rev. 14:4. They entreat him to draw them by the quickening influences of his Spirit. The more clearly we discer Christ's glory, the more sensible shall we be that we are unable to follow him suitably, and at the same time be more desirous of doing it Observe the speedy answer given to this prayer. Those who wait a Wisdom's gate, shall be led into truth and comfort. And being brough into this chamber, our griefs will vanish. We have no joy but in Christ, and for this we are indebted to him. We will remember to giv thanks for thy love; it shall make more lasting impressions upon u than any thing in this world. Nor is any love acceptable to Christ but love in sincerity, Eph. 6:24. The daughters of Jerusalem may mea professors not yet established in the faith. The spouse was black a the tents of the wandering Arabs, but comely as the magnificen curtains in the palaces of Solomon. The believer is black, as being defiled and sinful by nature, but comely, as renewed by Divine grace to the holy image of God. He is still deformed with remains of sin, but comely as accepted in Christ. He is often base and contemptible in the esteem of men, but excellent in the sight of God. The blackness wa owing to the hard usage that had been suffered. The children of the church, her mother, but not of God, her Father, were angry with her They had made her suffer hardships, which caused her to neglect the care of her soul. Thus, under the emblem of a poor female, made the chosen partner of a prince, we are led to consider the circumstances in which the love of Christ is accustomed to find its objects. They wer wretched slaves of sin, in toil, or in sorrow, weary and heavy laden but how great the change when the love of Christ is manifested to their souls!
Song 1:7,8 Observe the title given to Christ, O Thou whom my sou loveth. Those that do so, may come to him boldly, and may humbly plea with him. Is it with God's people a noon-time of outward troubles inward conflicts? Christ has rest for them. Those whose souls love Jesus Christ, earnestly desire to share in the privileges of his flock Turning aside from Christ is what gracious souls dread more tha anything else. God is ready to answer prayer. Follow the track, ask for the good old way, observe the footsteps of the flock, look what ha been the practice of godly people. Sit under the direction of goo ministers; beside the tents of the under shepherds. Bring thy charg with thee, they shall all be welcome. It will be the earnest desire an prayer of the Christian, that God would so direct him in his worldl business, and so order his situation and employment, that he may have his Lord and Saviour always before him.
Song 1:9-17 The Bridegroom gives high praises of his spouse. In the sight of Christ believers are the excellent of the earth, fitted to be instruments for promoting his glory. The spiritual gifts and grace which Christ bestows on every true believer, are described by the ornaments then in use, Song 1:10,11. The graces of the saints are many but there is dependence upon each other. He who is the Author, will be the Finisher of the good work. The grace received from Christ' fulness, springs forth into lively exercises of faith, affection, an gratitude. Yet Christ, not his gifts, is most precious to them. The word translated "camphire," signifies "atonement or propitiation. Christ is dear to all believers, because he is the propitiation for their sins. No pretender must have his place in the soul. They resolve to lodge him in their hearts all the night; during the continuance of the troubles of life. Christ takes delight in the good work which his grace has wrought on the souls of believers. This should engage all wh are made holy, to be very thankful for that grace which has made thos fair, who by nature were deformed. The spouse (the believer) has humble, modest eye, discovering simplicity and godly sincerity; eye enlightened and guided by the Holy Spirit, that blessed Dove. The church expresses her value for Christ. Thou art the great Original, but I am but a faint and imperfect copy. Many are fair to look at, ye their temper renders them unpleasant: but Christ is fair, yet pleasant The believer, Song 1:16, speaks with praise of those holy ordinances in which true believers have fellowship with Christ. Whether the believe is in the courts of the Lord, or in retirement; whether following his daily labours, or confined on the bed of sickness, or even in dungeon, a sense of the Divine presence will turn the place into paradise. Thus the soul, daily having fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, enjoys a lively hope of an incorruptible undefiled, and unfading inheritance above __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
משׁכני 4900 אחריך 310 נרוצה 7323 הביאני 935 המלך 4428 חדריו 2315 נגילה 1523 ונשׂמחה 8055 בך נזכירה 2142 דדיך 1730 מיין 3196 מישׁרים 4339 אהבוך׃ 157
