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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:12-17

Here the conference is carried on between Christ and his spouse, and endearments are mutually exchanged. I. Believers take a great complacency in Christ, and in communion with him. To you that believe he is precious, above any thing in this world, 1 Pet. 2:7. Observe, 1. The humble reverence believers have for Christ as their Sovereign, Song 1:12. He is a King in respect both of dignity and dominion; he wears the crown of honour, he bears the sceptre of power, both which are the unspeakable... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:14

My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi. Engedi was a place near Jericho, and famous for palm trees, as that was, hence called Hazazontamar, 2 Chronicles 20:2 . Pliny F15 Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 17. sneaking of this place, which he calls Engadda, says, it is second to Jerusalem for fertility and groves of palm trees; and Josephus F16 Antiqu. l. 9. c. 1. s. 2. observes, that there grew the best palm trees and opobalsam; wherefore Aben Ezra, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Song of Solomon 1:14

A cluster of camphire - Mr. Hasselquist supposes this to mean a bunch of the Cyprus grape; but this is supposed to mean a shrub so called, not any production of the isle of Cypress; the best kinds of which were found at En-gedi. This place belonged to the tribe of Judah. Perhaps the poet alludes to the dark color of the hair, which by the Greeks was not unfrequently compared to the bunches of grapes; by no means an unfit similitude for thick black clustering curls. The following lines... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:9-15

Characteristics of those whom Christ loves. We need not mind who said what is written in these verses; or why it was said, according to their literal interpretation. But we may consider what is said, for it is true of all people who are "of the Lord beloved." I. THEY ARE HIS BELOVED . This more than justice; for that would have regarded them as they were in themselves—the reverse of well pleasing to him. It is more than mercy; for that, though it may have spared the wrong doer,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:9-15

Love and admirations. It requires imagination and a knowledge of Oriental habits of thinking fully to appreciate the language of this passage, which otherwise to our colder and less fanciful natures may appear extravagant. But expressions which may be open to the charge of extravagance as applied to ordinary human affection, may well come short of the truth if interpreted as indicating the emotions which distinguish those spiritual relations of absorbed delight subsisting between Christ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:9-17

The communion of the bridegroom and the bride. I. THE APPROACH OF THE BRIDEGROOM . 1 . His address. He compares the bride to a beautiful mare of his own in the chariots of Pharaoh. The words come fitly from the lips of the speaker. He was the first king of Israel who took delight in horses and chariots, and he imported them from Egypt. The words are thought to have suggested a similar comparison in Theocritus ('Idyll,' 18.30); they indicate the stateliness of the bride's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:12-14

While the king sat (or, sits ) at his table, my spikenard sent ( sends ) forth its fragrance. My beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh, that lieth betwixt my breasts. My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna flowers in the vineyards of Engedi. The preterite is best taken poetically for the present. The words are evidently a response to those of the king. As such they refer to present feeling and not to a past state. The bride expresses her delight in the king. The table... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:12-17

Reciprocal esteem. Love, manifested and known, will always beget love. As every plant has in its womb seed of its own kind, so, too, love has within itself generative power. If any human heart does not love our Immanuel, it is because that heart is ignorant of him, its eyesight is blurred, its vision is obscured. No sooner is Jesus known as a true and substantial Friend, than love in some form springs up. In the form of gratitude it first appears; then in the form of admiration; then in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:13-14

What Christ is to his people. He is here said to be as— I. "A BUNDLE OF MYRRH ." See Exposition for explanation of ancient customs alluded to by this "bundle," or small box, or other such receptacle for perfumes. Its religious teachings are such as arise from the fact' that: 1 . Myrrh was used in the "anointing oil" with which Aaron and the priests were anointed. It was "the oil of gladness" with which Christ was anointed above his fellows (cf. Psalms 123:2 ). The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Song of Solomon 1:9-14

This and the next Song of Solomon 1:15-2:7 sections are regarded by ancient commentators (Jewish and Christian) as expressing “the love of espousals” Jeremiah 2:2 between the Holy One and His Church, first in the wilderness of the Exodus, and then in the wilderness of the world Ezekiel 20:35-36.Song of Solomon 1:9Or, to a mare of mine in the chariots of Pharaoh I liken thee, O my friend. (The last word is the feminine form of that rendered “friend” at Song of Solomon 5:16.) The comparison of... read more

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