I have, &c. Solomon now speaks to her. my love = my friend, or one beloved. Hebrew. ra'yah. Feminine here, Song of Solomon 1:15 ; Song of Solomon 2:2 , Song of Solomon 2:10 , Song of Solomon 2:13 ; Song of Solomon 4:1 , Song of Solomon 4:7 ; Song of Solomon 6:4 . a company of horses = my mare. in Pharaoh's chariots = in the chariot of Pharaoh. read more
SOLOMON WOOS THE SHULAMITE WITHOUT RESPONSE(Song of Solomon 1:9-2:2)"I have compared thee, O my love,To a steed in Pharaoh's chariots.Thy cheeks are comely with plaits of hair,Thy neck with strings of jewels.We will make thee plaits of goldWith studs of silver."The big deal here is that Solomon will load the Shulamite down with expensive jewelry. His comparison of her to a horse (presumably a mare) hooked up to one of Pharaoh's chariots reveals the sensual nature of Solomon. Every woman, in his... read more
Song of Solomon 1:9. I have compared thee—to a company of horses— This, says the author of the New Translation, is the speech of the bridegroom, who, meeting the bride and her virgin companions, says, I have compared thee, O my love, to my well-trained steed in Pharaoh's chariots. We ought not to think the comparison coarse or vulgar, if we consider what beautiful and delicate creatures the eastern horses are, and how highly they are valued; and, withal, the very strong figurative expressions... read more
9. horses in Pharaoh's chariots—celebrated for beauty, swiftness, and ardor, at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:15). These qualities, which seem to belong to the ungodly, really belong to the saints [MOODY STUART]. The allusion may be to the horses brought at a high price by Solomon out of Egypt (2 Chronicles 1:16; 2 Chronicles 1:17). So the bride is redeemed out of spiritual Egypt by the true Solomon, at an infinite price (Isaiah 51:1; 1 Peter 1:18; 1 Peter 1:19). But the deliverance from Pharaoh at... read more
The Ardent Affection of the Lovers2-7. Songs of the bride: her enquiry and his answers.2. Love] The original has 'loves,' i.e. expressions of love, repeated kisses and embraces.3. Ointments] Orientals have always been passionately fond of perfumes. The literatures of Egypt, Greece, and Rome abound in references to them: in the Bible see Psalms 23:5; Psalms 45:7-8; Proverbs 7:17; Proverbs 27:9; Luke 7:46; John 12:3. A modern traveller writes: 'Arabs are delighted with perfumes; the nomad... read more
(9) Company of horses.—So Vulg., equitatus, but Heb. susah more properly = mare, as in LXX., Τῇ ἵππῳ μου. The ground of the comparison is variously understood. Some, offended at the comparison of female beauty to that of a horse, think the rich trappings of a royal equipage suggested it, while on the other hand, the mention of the caparisoned steed may have suggested the reference to the lady’s ornaments. But Anacreon (60) and Theocritus (Idyll xviii. 30, 31), and also Horace (Ode iii. 11),... read more
Song of Solomon the Unutterable Song of Solomon 1:1 'The Song of songs' the Song that holds all other songs and makes them poor; the Song that has in it all the notes and all the gamut and all the instruments and all the vocal miracles, with something added. It is that plus quantity that puzzles the algebra of the Church. I. Take an instance which goes well with 'Song of songs,' 'Holy of holies,' of which we read in Exodus 26:33 , In the Authorized Version it is 'the most holy,' in other... read more
TRUE LOVE TESTEDSong of Solomon 1:1-17; Song of Solomon 2:1-17; Song of Solomon 3:1-11; Song of Solomon 4:1-16; Song of Solomon 5:1THE poem opens with a scene in Solomon’s palace. A country maiden has just been introduced to the royal harem. The situation is painful enough in itself, for the poor, shy girl is experiencing the miserable loneliness of finding herself in an unsympathetic crowd. But that is not all. She is at once the object of general observation; every eye is turned towards her;... read more
Annotations SONG OF SONGS In studying this Love Song the primary application to the remnant of Israel must not be lost sight of. It is to be kept in mind that we are on Jewish ground and that the perfect assurance of that perfect love, which we know as members of His body, is lacking. The deeper spiritual applications which the individual believer may make in heart communion with the Lord, must be left to each person. In a certain sense we are here in the “Holiest” of all, for love-communion... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:8-17
The lovers talk together (1:8-2:7)In reply to the girl’s longing, the man invites her to come and join him in the fields (8). He praises her beauty and promises to give her the finest jewellery (9-11). The girl responds that her greatest joy is just to be in his presence and let her love flow out to him (12-14). After the man further praises the girl’s beauty (15), she expresses her desire to be with him in the fields again, where they can lie down together in the shade of the trees (16-17).The... read more