Song of Solomon 6

The companions ask the spouse for her beloved, vers. 1. She telleth them wither he is gone, 2. The Bridegroom describeth the form and beauty of his Spouse, 4. He telleth likewise, how that he visiteth his garden, 11. The Bridegroom inviteth his Spouse to come to him, 13.

1. Whither is thy best beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? [These, and the following words of the verse, are the words of the Daughters of Jesuralem, of whom mention is made, chapter 5. Vers. 16.] whither hath thy best beloved turned (his) face, [To wit, from thee to others, or to another place] that we may seek him with thee? [Or, and we will seek him with thee. The daughters of Jerusalem having heard how the Spouse had praised and commended her Bridegroom, are thereby moved to enquire earnestly, the second time after him, (expressing thereby their great and fervent zeal) and they promise and engage that they will seek him with her, to the end that they also my be made partakers of his grace and blessings. Such is the power of the preaching of the Gospel in the hearts of the Elect: See Acts 2:27. And 4. 4. And chapter 11. Vers. 20. 21.]

2. My best beloved is gone down into his garden, [The Spouse that at the first sought Christ her Bridegroom, but could not find him, knoweth now where he is, and she instructeth others of it. So that we do here see fulfilled that which Christ promiseth, Matth. 7. 7. Seek, and ye shall find. See Deut.4. 29. The garden of Christ is his Church, as above chapter 4. 16. And 5. 1. There is Christ to be sought, and likewise to be found] to the bed of spices, [It seemeth that hereby is intimated the flocks or companies of Believers, in whose hearts, as in good ground the good sweet-smelling seed of the Word of God is sowen, Matth. 13. 8, 23. This is the Bridegrooms garden of pleasure, where he is continually present with his grace and Spirit, and he taketh his delight in the good works of believers, as men do in pleasant garden plots, which are set and sowen with all manner of precious spices and flowers] to feed in the gardens, [That is, to have fellowship ad communion with his Elect, eating and enjoying his pleasant fruits. See above chapter 4. 16. As also to feed and nourish those that are his, and make them partakers of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost. (In the gardens:) That is, in the particular Churches and Congregations of Believers, as above chapter 1.] and for to gather the Lilies. [That is, to gather unto himself his elect and chosen people who are compared unto lilies among thorns; above, chapter 2. 2.]

3. I am my best beloveds, and my best beloved is mine: [The Spouse rejoiceth here because of the love and peace that was renewed betwixt her Bridegroom and herself, notwithstanding her former weaknesses and adversities. Those very words the Spouse likewise uttereth, of, or concerning her Bridegroom, above chapter 2. 16. And below chapter 7. 10. But somewhat in another sense] that feedeth among the Lilies. [That is, not onely in wholesome pasture, but also in an abounding pleasant pasture, to the refreshing, and to the everlasting comfort of his sheep.]

4. Thou art beautiful, my Love, like Thirza, comely as Jerusalem: [The Bridegroom having found his Spouse, commendeth her for the manifold gifts and graces of the Spirit, wherewith she is beautified and adorned. See above chapter 4. 1. Thirza was a City in the Land of Canaan , lying not far from Samaria, wherein one of the Kings which Joshua subdued kept his Court, Joshua 12:24. Afterwards the Kings of Israel kept their Court there, until Samaria was built by Omri; See 1 Kings 24. 17. And 15. 21, 23. And 16. 6, 8, 23. The Greek interprets leave out the word Thirsta, and put into the text Good refreshing; or, favourable acceptance. Whence may be gathered, that it was a fair pleasant City, in which kind of places Kings and Princes were wont to dwell. Such kind of beauty, or comeliness is here ascribed unto the Spouse, being made fair and acceptable in and by Christ her Bridegroom, Ephes. 1. 6. And 5. 27. The City of Jerusalem is famous for her beauty and glory. It was in times past the famousest City of all the East. Plin. Lib. 5. Cap. 14. It was the seat of pure Religion, or, of the pure worship of God, and the dwelling-place of the Kings of Juda, Psal. 122. It is called the joy of the whole earth, Psal. 48. 3.] terrible [that is, full of majesty and courage,terrible in the eyes of her enemies, as below verse 10] as battalias, that is, as camps standing under their banners, or ensigns in battle-aray, ready to give battel. Therefore the Church is terrible in the eyes of her enemies, because she is environed and compassed about with many powerful Angels, 2 Kings 6:17. And 19. 35. Likewise because she is armed with spiritual armour or weapons. See Acts 5:11. Ephesians 6:13. And 2 Cor. 10. 4. See also below v. 10.]

5. Turn away thine eyes from me, [Or, over against me, as Numb. 2. 2. A phrase expressing the greatness of Christs love. Oth. Turn thine eyes towards me. The Hebrew word signifieth sometimes to turn one’s self toward another, as 1 Chronicles 12:23. Sometimes to turn away one’s self from another, as Ezech. 7. 22.] for they offer violence unto me: [Oth. They have lifted me up, or, exalted me] thine hair is as a flock of goats, [See the annotate. Above 4. 1.] that shear off (the grass) of Gilead. [Here is mentioned onely Gilead, but chapter 4. 1. Is mentioned, the Mountain of Gilead. Both in the one place, and in the other the whole country of Gilead is meant and understood.]

6. Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep, that come up from the washing place, which do all together bring forth twins, and (there) is none without young among them. [See above chapter 4. On verse 3.]

7. The teeth are as a peace of pomegranate between thy locks. [See above chapter 4. On verse 3.]

8. There are threescore Queens, and fourscore Concubines, and Virgins without number. [These words may be likewise taken as spoken conditionally, thus, let there be threescore Queens, & c. That is, although there were threescore Queens, etc. Yet (but) one is my dove, etc. Christ the Bridegroom of his church speaketh this under the name of Solomon, who was a type and a figure of him. Some conclude from hence, that Salomon made this song in the first years of his Reign, when he had not so many wives and Concubines, as he had afterward, 1 Kings 11:3. But some conceive that here a certain number is put for an uncertain, as is further exprest, vers. 9. Of the word Concubines, see further Genes. 22. On vers. 24. It seemeth that by these Queens and Concubines are meant those Churches, which pretend to be true Churches, but have no inward spiritual fellowship and communion with Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ, although by the grace and mercy of God they may be brought unto it. Understand here by virgins, hand-maids or Ladies of honour that waited and attended upon the Queens, as Esther 2:9. Psal. 45. 15. And by these hand-maids is meant the people, that depend upon the great ones, and suffer themselves to be led by them: which is by far the greatest number in the world.]

9. One onely is my dove, [Or, (but) she alone is my dove. This is opposed to the great number of Queens, etc. Vers. 8. And here the spouse of Christ, which is but one (as there is but one body, one Spirit, one Hope, one Lord, one faith, Eph. 2. Vers. 4, 5.) is counted and esteemed more then the great and infinite number of others, Queens, and Princesses. See what God saith unto Israel, Exodus 19:5. 2 Sam. 7. 23.] my perfect one, the onely one of her mother, [All the particular Churches on earth, that are orthodox, being put all together, make-up no more but one body, Ephes. 5. 16. The onely Church being as the onely and legitmate Daughter of the heavenly Jerusalem, which is the universal Church, which is the mother of us all, Galat. 4. Vers. 26.] she is the pure one [Or, purified one, or choice one, or, the clear one: and so below vers. 10. And 1 Chronicles 7:40. There are many bastard-Churches, but there is no more but one pure, legitimate, chosen Church, of which see 1 Pet. chapter 1. Vers. 2.] of her, that bare her: [Hebr. Of her bearer] when the Daughters [To wit, the Daughters, or Virgins, whereof is spoken, vers. 8.] see her, [That is, fully know her state and condition] they shall proclaim her blessed, (yea) the Queens, and the Concubines; and shall praiseher. [To wit, this Spouse. See Deuteronomy 4:6. And 20. 19. Acts 5:13. (They shall praise her:) That is, they shall count her blessed, or happy. The meaning is, although the Churches that in this World are so highly esteemed both by others, and by themselves, seem to be true Church, yet they shall be convinced at last, (at least (unless they do repent) at the day of judgement, when they shall see the sheep stand at the right hand of the supreme Judge) that there is but one true Church, and that they are blessed and happy that belong unto it, Malach. 3. 18.]

10. Who is she [That is, what manner of person is this?] that looketh forth, [Or, peepeth out, appeareth] as the day break [That is, as the clear and bright morning appeareth after the dark night, so doth the Spouse rise up, and come forth after the darkness of affliction, ignorance, and error. To wit, when the morning star of the knowledge of Christ ariseth in her heart. See Isai. 30. 26. And 60. 20. Ezech. 16. 14. And 32. 7, 8. Joel 3:15.] pure [Or, clear, or, clean] as the Sun, [Christ is the Sun of righteousness, Malach. 4. 2. The woman, to wit, his Spouse, is clothed with the Sun, Revel. 12. 1. For she hath put on Christ by faith, Galatians 3:27. By whose righteousness she is cleansed from her sins, and so is become glorious, and shining bright] terrible [To wit, unto her enemies, with whom she is to combat under the banner of her Bridegroom, being armed not with carnal weapons, but such as are mighty through God, to cast down strong holds, 2 Cor. 10. 4. See likewise Exod. chapter 15. Vers. 14, 15, 16. Deuteronomy 2:25. And 33. 29. Psal. 48. 5, 6. See also above the annotate. On vers. 4.] as (batalias) with banners? [This question made in this verse is propounded by those that are mentioned in the former verse. They admire or wonder at the beauty, and glory of the Church of God; as if they had said, Is this that Church which we have despised, reproached? Behold, how glorious and excellent is it now?]

11. I went down to the garden of nuts, to see the green fruits of the valley: [These, and the following words, are the words of the Bridegroom, shewing how he visiteth the garden, his Church. The Hebrew word Egoz, rendered here nuts, is onely found in this place. Most interpreters take it for nuts, and conceive that here must be meant not mean or ordinary nuts, bur nutmegs, such kind of pleasant and precious fruits, as grew in great abundance in the Bridegroom garden. See above cha. 4. Vers. 12, 13, 14. Oth. Cleansed, or, pruned garden. (To seen the green fruits:) Oth. New, or, first fruits; to wit, that ripen in the beginning of the year. The meaning is, that after the winter of adversity, appeareth the pleasant Spring of grace in the garden of the Church. (of the valley;) Or, in the low ground, where the Church of Christ is watered ad moistened with the Word and Spirit of God, that it may bear fruit in great abundance] to see whether the Vine flourished, (and) the pomegranates budded forth. [Or, blossomed, or, spouted out. Understand here by God, and planted in the garden of the Church, which budding ad blossoming in true and sincere knowledge, do afterward bring forth fruits of good works, to the glory of God, and to the edification of their neighbour. See above chapter 2. 13, 14.]

12. Before I knew it, my Soul set me (upon) the charets [That is, I set myself, etc. This phrase is very common in Holy Scripture: see examples thereof, Psal. 6. 4. Eccles. 7. 28. Above chapter 1. 7. Isai. 1. 14. And 61. 10. And elsewhere besides. The meaning is, I was moved by my fervent compassion, and not by the merits. Oth. Mysoul; that is, my desire. See Psal. 27. On vers. 12.] of my willing people. [Or, of my Noble, or, Princeley people. The Hebrew word Nadib, which is used here, signifieth free-willing, or good-willing, or, free, or Noble, or, Princely. Some render it, upon the charets of Amminadib, making of two words one: But we find not in Scripture who this Amminadib was: Therefore it is better to render it, my willing, or, my free-willing people; to wit, true Christians, or believers; who are said to be willing, or, free-willing in the day of power, or host, Psal. 110. 3. Receiving the word preached with all willingness, or readiness of mind, Acts 2:41. And 7. 11. The words of this verse seem yet to be the words of the Bridegroom. As if he had said, Before I knew it; that is to say, suddenly, unsuspectedly, unawares, in regard of my great longing after my garden: Where I, seeing and people forward (as it were) with charets: defending them likewise against their enemies. This may be also understood by the word charets: because they used charets heretofore in war. See Joshua 11:4. And 1 Samuel 13:5. And elsewhere besides. Some understand here the Holy Angels.]

13. Return, return, O Sulammith, return, return, [This signifieth the earnest longing and desire after the conversion of those that wandered out of the way, and went astray: and it is therefore four times repeated, because we are by nature slow of heart and of ears, Luke 24:25. Hebrews 5:11. Some apply this to the calling back, and conversion of the Jews unto Christ. See Romans 11:25. Others conceive that these are the words of the spouses companions. (O sulammith) Salomon hath his name from peace, 1 Chronicles chapter 22. 9. Jerusalem is called Salem, Psal. 76. 3. That is, peace, Hebrews 7:2. So the Church, or, the people, that is called, or invited to return, is called Sulammith, which is as much to say, as peaceable, or, peaceful, or, living in peace; In respect of the peace which they with God through Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1. It is then as much as if the Bridegroom here had said, Come hither my loving Spouse, that (after my name Salomon, Prince of Peace, or peaceable) are called Sulammith, that is, peaceable: return, come unto me, I will receive thee into grace and favour, although thou didst provoke me unto anger] that we may look upon thee. [Or, behold thee; to wit, with joy and gladness. These words seem to be uttered by the Sulammiths friends, wishing to see, that the former gifts and graces, might be again seen, and discerned in her: for the Angels themselves desire to see those things, which are communicated to the Church by the Gospel, 1 Pet. 1. 12. See also Psal. 27. 4. Isai. 52. 8.]

14. What look ye upon the Sulammith? [Some conceive that these are the words of the Spouse: Others take them to be the words of the Bridegroom. Oth. What do ye (I pray) See in the Salammite? Or, in the Salammitess] she is as a dance [Or, as a company; that is, as a company of the those that make up a dance, that are merry together. The Israelites, yea even the godly themselves were wont sometimes to rejoice with dances, and to praise God in them for victories obtained, or for other causes, Exodus 15:20. Jerem. 31. 13. Luke 15:25. In this place is signified by the dance, the joy and gladness of believers, when they shall come unto Christ] of two armies, [By these two armies is signified the multitude of those that should be converted unto Christ. But others understand by the two armies, the Church of Christ consisting of Jews and Gentiles. Others retain here in the text the Hebrew word Machanaim, which signifieth two armies, or two camps. See Genes. 32. Vers. 1, 2.]