Song 1:4, 4:10, Isa 26:20, 61:10 | JFB | STEP | 4. (1) The cry of ancient Israel for Messiah, for example, Simeon, Anna, &c. (2) The cry of an awakened soul for the drawing of the Spirit, after it has got a glimpse of Christ's loveliness and its own helplessness. Draw me-- The Father draws ( ). The Son draws ( ; ; ). "Draw" here, and "Tell" ( ), reverently qualify the word "kiss" ( ). me, we-- No believer desires to go to heaven alone. We are converted as individuals; we follow Christ as joined in a communion of saints ( , 45). Individuality and community meet in the bride. run-- Her earnestness kindles as she prays ( ; , ). after thee-- not before ( ). king ... brought me into-- ( , ; ). He is the anointed Priest ( ); King ( ). chambers-- Her prayer is answered even beyond her desires. Not only is she permitted to run after Him, but is brought into the inmost pavilion, where Eastern kings admitted none but the most intimate friends ( ; ; ). The erection of the temple of Solomon was the first bringing of the bride into permanent, instead of migratory, chambers of the King. Christ's body on earth was the next ( ), whereby believers are brought within the veil ( ; , ). Entrance into the closet for prayer is the first step. The earnest of the future bringing into heaven ( ). His chambers are the bride's also ( ). There are various chambers, plural ( ). be glad and rejoice-- inward and outward rejoicing. in thee-- ( ; , ). Not in our spiritual frames ( , ). remember-- rather, "commemorate with praises" ( ). The mere remembrance of spiritual joys is better than the present enjoyment of carnal ones ( , ). upright-- rather, "uprightly," "sincerely" ( ; ); so Nathanael ( ); Peter ( ); or "deservedly" [Maurer].

‏ Song of Solomon 1:4

4. (1) The cry of ancient Israel for Messiah, for example, Simeon, Anna, &c. (2) The cry of an awakened soul for the drawing of the Spirit, after it has got a glimpse of Christ's loveliness and its own helplessness.

Draw me--The Father draws (Joh 6:44). The Son draws (Jr 31:3; Ho 11:4; Joh 12:32). "Draw" here, and "Tell" (So 1:7), reverently qualify the word "kiss" (So 1:2).

me, we--No believer desires to go to heaven alone. We are converted as individuals; we follow Christ as joined in a communion of saints (Joh 1:41, 45). Individuality and community meet in the bride.

run--Her earnestness kindles as she prays (Is 40:31; Psa 119:32, 60).

after thee--not before (Joh 10:4).

king ... brought me into--(Psa 45:14, 15; Joh 10:16). He is the anointed Priest (So 1:3); King (So 1:4).

chambers--Her prayer is answered even beyond her desires. Not only is she permitted to run after Him, but is brought into the inmost pavilion, where Eastern kings admitted none but the most intimate friends (Es 4:11; 5:2; Psa 27:5). The erection of the temple of Solomon was the first bringing of the bride into permanent, instead of migratory, chambers of the King. Christ's body on earth was the next (Joh 2:21), whereby believers are brought within the veil (Ep 2:6; He 10:19, 20). Entrance into the closet for prayer is the first step. The earnest of the future bringing into heaven (Joh 14:3). His chambers are the bride's also (Is 26:20). There are various chambers, plural (Joh 14:2).

be glad and rejoice--inward and outward rejoicing.

in thee--(Is 61:10; Php 4:1, 4). Not in our spiritual frames (Psa 30:6, 7).

remember--rather, "commemorate with praises" (Is 63:7). The mere remembrance of spiritual joys is better than the present enjoyment of carnal ones (Psa 4:6, 7).

upright--rather, "uprightly," "sincerely" (Psa 58:1; Ro 12:9); so Nathanael (Joh 1:47); Peter (Joh 21:17); or "deservedly" [Maurer].

‏ Song of Solomon 4:10

10. love--Hebrew, "loves"; manifold tokens of thy love.

much better--answering to her "better" (So 1:2), but with increased force. An Amoebean pastoral character pervades the Song, like the classic Amoebean idylls and eclogues.

wine--The love of His saints is a more reviving cordial to Him than wine; for example, at the feast in Simon's house (Lu 7:36, 47; Joh 4:32; compare Zec 10:7).

smell of ... ointments than all spices--answering to her praise (So 1:3) with increased force. Fragrant, as being fruits of His Spirit in us (Ga 5:22).

‏ Isaiah 26:20

20. enter ... chambers--When God is about to take vengeance on the ungodly, the saints shall be shut in by Him in a place of safety, as Noah and his family were in the days of the flood (Ge 7:16), and as Israel was commanded not to go out of doors on the night of the slaying of the Egyptian first-born (Ex 12:22, 23; Psa 31:20; 83:3). The saints are calmly and confidently to await the issue (Ex 14:13, 14).

‏ Isaiah 61:10

10. Zion (Is 61:3) gives thanks for God's returning favor (compare Lu 1:46, 47; Ha 3:18).

salvation ... righteousness--inseparably connected together. The "robe" is a loose mantle thrown over the other parts of the dress (Psa 132:9, 16; 149:4; Re 21:2; 19:8).

decketh himself with ornaments--rather "maketh himself a priestly headdress," that is, a magnificent headdress, such as was worn by the high priest, namely, a miter and a plate, or crown of gold worn in front of it [Aquila, &c.]; appropriate to the "kingdom of priests," dedicated to the offering of spiritual sacrifices to God continually (Ex 19:6; Re 5:10; 20:6).

jewels--rather, "ornaments" in general [Barnes].