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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:7-11

Here is, I. The humble petition which the spouse presents to her beloved, the shepherdess to the shepherd, the church and every believer to Christ, for a more free and intimate communion with him. She turns from the daughters of Jerusalem, to whom she had complained both of her sins and of her troubles, and looks up to heaven for relief and succour against both, Song 1:7. Here observe, 1. The title she gives to Christ: O thou whom my soul loveth. Note, It is the undoubted character of all true... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:8

If thou know not ,.... Or, "seeing thou knowest not" F13 אם "quandoquidem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ; the saints in this imperfect state know but in part, are ignorant of many things, and in some measure of themselves; for though they know much of the sinfulness and deceitfulness of their hearts, yet they know not all; and of their imperfection and weakness, yet not the whole of it; and some render the words, "if thou know not to thee", or, "for thyself", as Ainsworth; or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Song of Solomon 1:8

If thou know not - This appears to be the reply of the virgins. They know not exactly; and therefore direct the bride to the shepherds, who would give information. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4-8

The Christian soul, its trials and triumphs. The maiden who speaks has been separated unwillingly from her beloved, after whom she incessantly mourns; she is kept in the king's chambers, the apartments of the women in his palace at Jerusalem. They ridicule her swarthy look, and she tells how her half-brothers had been unkind to her, and had made her work in the drudgery of the vineyards, beneath the scorching sun. Those about her wonder and scoff at her persistent affection. The story may... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:5-8

Dialogue between the bride and the chorus. I. THE BRIDE 'S SENSE OF UNWORTHINESS . 1 . " I am black. " The country maiden loved by the great king feels her own imperfections; she artlessly describes her misgivings to the daughters of Jerusalem, who constitute the chorus; she has been accustomed to rustic occupations; she has been ill-treated; the sun has embrowned her cheeks till she is black as the tents of Kedar, the tents of goat's hair in which the wandering Arabs... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:7-8

The shepherd's care. As the beloved maiden or bride seeks her shepherd lover who is yet the king, she makes use of language which gives an insight into pastoral duty and care, and which serves to suggest the relations borne by the flock to the good Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep. I. THE GOOD SHEPHERD FEEDS THE FLOCK . II. THE GOOD SHEPHERD PROVIDES NOONDAY REST FOR THE FLOCK . III. THE GOOD SHEPHERD PROTECTS THE FLOCK , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:7-9

Seeking and finding. The Christian pilgrim has to pass through a variety of fortunes in his passage to the celestial city. His fluctuations of joy and sorrow, hope and fear, resemble an April day. Sunshine alternates with storm. Now he is on the mountain top; now in the valley of humiliation. Now he looks into his Master's face, and sees a smile of heavenly love; now that gracious face is hid, like the sun during eclipse. I. WE HAVE A SENSE OF DESERTION . This is a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:8

( Chorus of ladies. ) If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents. That another voice is here introduced there can be no doubt; and as it is not like the voice of the bridegroom himself, which is heard in the next verse, we must suppose it to be the chorus of attendant ladies. Delitzsch suggests very plausibly that they are pleasantly chiding the simplicity of the country maiden, and telling... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:8

How to find God. The daughters of Jerusalem—the inmates of Solomon's harem—who scornfully addressed these words to the faithful girl who was mourning after her beloved, never meant to utter a great spiritual truth when they thus spoke; any more than Caiaphas did when he said, "It is expedient that one man die for the people." The doctrine of the atonement is in that Caiaphas-speech; and so, sacred suggestions for souls that seek their Lord are found in these words of Jerusalem's daughters.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Song of Solomon 1:5-8

This section is made by the Targumist and other Jewish interpreters to adumbrate the condition of Israel in the wilderness; by some Christian expositors, that of the Gentile Church on her first conversion.Song of Solomon 1:5I am black ... - Dark-hued, as the tents of Kedar with their black goats’ hair coverings, rough and weather-stained, “but comely (beautiful) as the rich hangings which adorn the pavilion of Solomon. Kedar was the name of an Arab tribe Genesis 25:13; Psalms 120:5. The word... read more

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