Song of Solomon 2

The excellency and dignity of Christ, vers.1. and of his church, 2. Christs care of his spouse, and the comfort which she receiveth from him, 3. An excitation unto public profession of Christ, in regard the winter of persecution is past, 11. An admonition to beware of the close and secret enemies of the Church, 15. Mutual love between the Bridegroom and the spouse, 16.]

1. I am a Rose of Saron, a Lily of the Valleys. [Here the bridegroom speaketh again, as some conceive: But others are of opinion, that they are the words of the Spouse. The Rose is the choicest and cheereth the brain. By the Roses of Saron (that is, the Roses that grow at Saron) are meant, exceeding fair Roses; as by the Lilies of the valleys (that is, the Lilies that grow in the valleys) are meant, fair sweet-smelling Lilies. Salomon in all his Royalty was not so beautifully arrayed as one of these, Matth.6,29. But forasmuch as here is spoken of the Rose growing in the fields of Saron, and of the Lilies in the valleys, but not of such as grow in fenced or inclosed gardens: it semmeth that hereby is intimated, that the church of Christ is subject and liable to persecution, as the flowers off the field are subject to be plucked off by every one that passeth by, or to be trodden down and bitten off by the beasts and brute creatures. This seemeth to be the true and right meaning of the words, as appeareth by v.2. Saron was a fair, pleasant Country, reaching from Caesarea unto Joppa, not far distant from the Midland-sea. Thus is a certain City likewise called, that lieth there. See further of Saron, 1 Chron.5.16. and Isaiah 33:9. and 35.2. and 65.10. Acts 9:35.]

2. As a lilie among thorns, [Wicked and ungodly men are in Scripture (and likewise, according to the opinion of many, in this place) called thorns, partly in respect of their barrenness in bringing forth good fruit, partly in respect of their pricking malice against the children of God, see Numb.33.55. Prov.22.5. Ezek.ch.28.v.24.] so is my love among the daughters. [By daughters are oftentimes meant in Scripture the assemblies of men; and that sometimes of good men, as the daughter of Zion; that is, the Church of God, Isa.36.22. Sometimes of evil and wicked men, as thedaughter of Babel, Psal.137.8. the daughter of Edom, Lament.4.21. The meaning of the verse is this; As far as the lily (being compared with the thorns) excelleth them kin beauty and glory: So far doth also my Love, or most beloved, exceed and surmount all other women, being compared with them. That is, the true church being compared with other meetings and assemblies, goeth far beyond them all in dignity and excellency.]

3. As an apple-tree among the trees of the forest, [That is, the trees that grow in the wood, or in the wild forest. All men without Christ are wild unpruned trees, Rom.11.17,24. Which in that respect bear, either no fruit at all, or else evil, or harsh bitter fruit, or fruit of an unpleasant and unsavoury taste. Unless they be ingrassed into Christ by faith, they cannot bring forth good fruits, Mat. Chap.7.v.18. Job.15.4.] so is my best beloved among the sons: [to wit, the sons of Adam, or the sons of men. Or, among the sons; that is, among young men: All these Christ doth far exceed, Psal.45.3. The words of this verse are now again the words of the Spouse, Our Lord Jesus Christ is often in scripture compared to a tree, as Revel.2.7. and 22.v.2. Here he is compared to an apple-tree, As that (to wit, the apple-tree) doth far exceed all wild trees: so (saith the spouse here,) doth Christ, my best beloved, far exceed all other men, who are by nature like unto wild trees. And as the apple-tree with his broad and low branches giveth a goodly shadow and shelter against the scorching heat of the Sun, and beareth sweet and pleasant fruit, for the cheering and refreshing of man: so (saith the spouse) do I also find shadow, shelter, and refreshing under the do I also find shadow, shelter, and refreshing under the wings of his grace and mercy, both against the wrath of God, and also in the scorching heat of persecution; so that I always desire and indeavour to hide and shelter my self under them, as followeth, in the text] I have great delight in his shadow, and sit (down under) it; [to wit, under the shadow of the apple-tree, that is, under the defence and shelter thereof. As the trees by casting a shadow upon us, do free and protect us from the burning and scorching heat of the Sun: So doth Christ free and deliver us from the scorching heat of Gods wrath, and from the persecution of the wicked world, see Psal.121.v.5,6,7. Isa.25.4. See also Psal.91. the annotate. On v.1.] and his fruit is sweet to my palate. [this is yet another benefit, which the spouse enjoyeth by Christ: to wit, that she is not onely freed and delivered from evil, but also is made partaker of his pleasant fruits, as of his death, resurrection, ascension, and other benefits of his. Others understand here by fruits, the comforts and other understand here by fruits, the comforts and consolations of Christ, which are most sweet and pleasant unto the hearts of true believers.]

4. He bringeth [Or, he brought] me into the wine house, [Heb. Into the house of wine; that is, into the house of joy and gladness, which we receive by the power and working of the Holy Ghost in our hearts, 2 Cor.1.5. Besides, that wine quencheth thirst, it maketh also the hearts mercy, Psal.104.15. and causeth it to forget its sorrow, see Prov.31.6,7. To this house of joy are all Gods children invited, Prov.1.3. see likewise, Prov.1.3. see likewise, Prov.9.1. &c.] and the love [understand here by love, the love wherewith Christ loveth us, Eph.5.2. Therefore some do read the last words of this verse thus, his banner is love over me, or towards me, see 2 Thess.2.16. and Rom.5.5.] is his banner over me. [as soldiers are distinguished one from another by banners or colours: so the true members of the church of Christ are discerned and distinguished from hypocrites and formal professors, by the spirit of adoption, and his fruits, Rom.8.14. 1 John 3:24. The banner signifieth also defence and protection against all spiritual enemies, the devil, death, and damnation.]

5. Support ye me with flagons, [That is, with the wine that is in the flaggons, as Luke 22:10. and Hos.3.1. that is, with the holy Scriptures, wherein Christ hath shut up his wine and milk, that is, all his promises and spiritual comforts, see Psal.94.19. and 119.92.] strengthen me with apples: [or, strew apples under me; to wit, that by the smell thereof I may be comforted and refreshed; for which end purpose Oranges and Limons especially are very useful and requisite. By these are unconcerning the grace and merits of Christ. The church here speaketh unto the friends of the Bridegroom, which are the true Teachers or Ministers of the Gospel, John 3:29. intreating them to strengthen her with the comforts of the Gospel, before she languish and fail for longing after Christ] for I am sick of love. [That is, I am faint, and do languish through continual longing after the comforts and consolations of my Bridegroom, and the tokens of his grace and favour, see Psal.42.2. and 63.vers.2. and below, ch.3.1,2. And 5.v.6,8. It is God that healeth all our diseases, Ps.103.3.]

6. Let his left hand be under mine head, [To wit, as a pillow to rest upon. By reason of sin the whole head is sick, and the heart is faint, Isa.1.5. But by the consolations of the Holy Ghost our consciences are strengthened, and our sins (the causes of our sorrows) pardoned see Rom.14.v.17. and 1 John 2:12. and 3.24.] and let his right hand imbrace me. [this is an outward token of love, see Gen.29.13. and 48.10. The church desireth and expecteth the gracious and favourable help and assistance, which the bridegroom was to afford her in time of trouble, comforting her by the Holy Ghost, and by his word, see below, ch.8.3. Eph.5.29.]

7. I adjure you, ye daughters of Jerusalem, [Some take these to be the words of the Bridegroom, others to be the words of the spouse. The meaning is, I exhort and charge you in the highest manner or degree, ye daughters of Jerusalem; that is, O ye my companions or friends, see chap.3.5. and 8.4.] (which are by the Roes or by the Hinds of the field) [Hinds are the females of the hearts] that ye star not up that love, nor waken (it,) until it please the same. [that is, that ye never disturb the rest and peace thereof. Others, I adjure you, by the Roes, etc. that is, as dear as the Roes and the Hinds are unto you, that ye stir not up that love; that is, that ye disturb not the rest of the Bridegroom, or of the Spouse, that is, the peace of the Church: to wit, by heresy, schism, or by giving offence.]

8. (That) [To wit, the voice which I hear] is the voice of my best beloved, [the spouse speaketh thus. As if she should say, that is instruction which I hear, see John 18:37. and 10.v.3,4. Acts 13:46,47. Heb.3.7.] behold him, he cometh, [to wit, to mine help and assistance, as Isa.35.4. John 14:23. Rev.22.20.] leaping upon the Mountains, skipping upon the hills. [A similitude borrowed from swift Roes and Hinds, whereunto the Bridegroom is compared, verse 9. To shew the willingness and readiness of Christ to help and deliver his spouse.]

9. My best beloved is like a Roe or a whelp of the Harts: behold, he standeth behind our wall, [Understand here the fiery wall of the Church, or the wall of fire round about the church: that is, the preservation and protection, which God affordeth unto his Church by his holy Angels, see 2 Kings 6:17. Psal.34.8. Zach.2.5. When it is said here, our wall, thereby is intimated, that this wall is a Bulwark, which is proper to the Church, and belongeth to her alone. Others understand these words, he standeth behind our wall, thus; that they signify a nearer union and fellowship with Christ, then when he was yet afar off, coming skipping and leaping upon the mountains and upon the hills, v.9. but yet not so neer, but there was yet a wall between both. So that here is shewed the steps or degrees, whereby Christ manifesteth his love unto his Church, not equally all at once, but according as he knows it to be good for us] looking out of the windows, [this is a similitude borrowed from a watch man or centinel, that keepeth watch or guard upon a tower, see 2 Kings 9:17. Ezek.chap.33.v.2. The Lord Christ is the true watchman and keeper of Israel, who never sleepeth nor slumbereth, Psal.121.v.4. he seeth and derideth all the counsels and devices of the wicked against his church, Psal.2.4.] shining [or shining like a flower; that is, shewing himself like a flower, to wit, pleasant and gracious. It is the very same that is straightway said, the repetition serveth to strengthen and confirm the thing before-mentioned] through the lattess. [Oftentimes lattesses and windows are joined together, as Judges 5:27. Proverbs 7:6. and elsewhere.]

10. My best beloved answered and said unto me, rise up, my Love, my fait one, and come away [Heb. And come to thee, or for thee, or for thy self, so likewise verse 13. See Genes.12. the annotate. On vers.1. And, come hither, to wit, to minister unto me. By these words the spouse doth intimate the cause of the speedy or swift coming of her Bridegroom; to wit, to call her by his word and spirit out of her and miserable condition unto a better.]

11. For lo, the winter is past: [That is, the time of the churches oppression, Zach.14.8.] the great shower of rain is over, [that is, the time of trial in adversity, is lightened or eased by Christ, see Isa.4.6. & 32.2. Matth.7.27.] it is gone over. [or, it is gone away.]

12. The flowers are seen [Or, do appear, shew themselves] in the earth, [In these, and the following words is contained a description of the Spring: being spiritually understood, it signifieth the restauration of the Church, after the troubles were past and gone. See Psal.72.16. Isa.27.6. Hos.14. vers.4.5,6.] the singing-time [Or, the time of singing, or, the time of chirping, or, chattering] approacheth, [That is, the spring, or, May-time is come, when the birds use to sing, and to make a sweet and pleasant harmony. That is, the faithful begin to cheer up, and to sing for joy. Oth. The pruning-time] and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our Land.

13. The fig-tree bringeth forth her young figs, [Or, unripe figs. The Hebrew word that is used here, is found onely in this place, no where else] and the vines [By the vines, are meant here the particular churches, as Isai.5.1. Hos.9.10.] (with their) young grapes [Or, tender, small, green, unripe grapes. The Hebrew word is used onely here, and below vers.15. and chap.7.v.12.] give a smell: [To wit, an excellent smell, as below 7.13. The meaning is, that men that were before like dry and withered trees, begin now in a spiritual manner to budded and flourish through my grape: The Churches which formerly lay waste and desolate, begin in now to bring forth fair and goodly fruits by the powerful working of my Word and Spirit, and cast forth a sweet and pleasant savour, 2 Cor.2.15. See the parable of the fig-tree, Matth.24.v.32. Luke 13:6.] Arise, my Love, my fair one, and come (away). [As above v.10.]

14. My Dove [So the Church of Christ is called by reason of her chastity, and simplicity, or innocency. See Matth.10.16. and above chap.1.15.] being in the clefts of the rocks, [Hiding thy self there, for fear of the enemies. See Jerem.48.vers.28. Oth. That abides in the clefts, or, rents of the rocks, being ashamed because of the deformity of thy sins] in the secret (holes) of a steep place [That is, that hidest thy self in places unhabited, in dens and caves, by reason of persecution; as 1 Kings 18:4. Psal.55.7,8. And 68.14. Revel.12.6. Some render the words secret stairs, applying it to our Saviour Christ, who is the stairs and the ladders that reacheth up unto heaven, Genes.28. Joh.1.52.] shew me thy shape [That is, come unto me, walk uprightly before me: as Genes.17.1. Rom.12.1. Ephes.5.27. to wit, after thou shalt be washed and cleansed by my Spirit and blood] cause me to hear thy voice: [That is, thy prayers, and songs of praise. See Psal.5.4. and 28.2. and 42.5. and 50.15. and elsewhere.] for thy voice is sweet, [That is, it is acceptable unto me; to wit, when it springeth from a true and lively faith.] and thy shape is pleasant.

15. Take ye us Foxs, and the little Foxs, which destroy the vineyards: for our vineyards (have) young [Or, small, tender] grapes. [These are the Bridegrooms words unto his companions; that is, the words of Christ unto Teachers and Pastors, or Shepherds of the Church: and to the Christian Magistrates. And taking, or catching signifieth here, that the Teachers or Ministers of the Word, ought to withstand, and confute the subtil and wicked Doctrine of the Foxs: and that Magistrates ought to restrain it, and not suffer it to be broached or published within their Juridictions and Domonions. The Foxes spoil or destroy the vineyards by eatings off the grapes from the vines: So false Teachers, Hereticks, and deceitful Rulers spoil and ruine the true Religion and Church of God. They are compared unto Foxes here, and Ezech.13.4. Luke 13:32. partly in regard of their deceitfulness, 2 Cor.11.13. and partly in regard of their mischievousness; for their word fretteth (or consumeth) like a canker, 2 Tim.2.17. See the like descriptions, and warnings, Jerem.12.10. Eph.4.14. Tit.1.v.10,11. Heb.13.9. 2 Pet.2.1,12.]

16. My best beloved is mine, and I am his, he feedeth among the lilies: [These are the words of the spouse, as Cant.6.2. and 7.10. The meaning is, he is my shepherd, and I am the flock of his sheep, therefore I cannot want, Psal.23.1. 1 Joh.4.13.] he feedeth among the lilies: [The meaning is, he feedeth his flock not only in a wholesome, but also in a delight some pasture; yea so pasture; yea so pleasant, and delightsome, as if it were full of lilies. Understanding hereby, the pasture of the word of God, which is sweet, like honey and the honey-comb: And in the company of the Godly, which are like lilies among the thorns.]

17. Until that day [That is, the time of knowledge, holiness, comfort, peace, and spiritual joy. See Rom.13.vers.12.13. and 1 Thes.5.5. 2 Pet.1.19.] dawn, [Heb. Blow on. Thus do the Hebrews speak, because the day commonly riseth with some cold, or cool gale] and the shadows [That is, all that is yet imperfect] flee (away): turn about, my best beloved, [To wit, unto me. These, and the rest that follow, are the words of the Spouse unto her bridegroom, beseeching and intreating him, that he would assist her in her trouble and afflictions] be thou like a roe. [To wit, in swiftness, to help and assist me. See vers.8.] or a whelp of the harts upon the Mountains of Bether. [Or, of Bitron, or, of separation. These are the Mountains of Gilead, which by the Jordan are divided or separated from Judea. These mountains were full of wild beasts, and very commodities for hunting. See the annotate. 2 Sam.2.29.]