Here begins a new colloquy between Christ and his church; in which they alternately set forth the excellencies of each other; and express their mutual affection for, and delight and pleasure they take in, each other’s company.

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. ] Whether Christ, or the church, is here speaking, is not certain: most of the Jewish writers [[18]], and some Christian interpreters [[19]], take them to be the words of the church, expressing the excellency of her grace, loveliness, and…

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. ] These are manifestly the words of Christ concerning his church, whom he calls “my love”, (See Gill on Song 1:9); and was his love still, though in such company, and in such an uncomfortable condition.

As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons As the apple tree, in a garden or orchard, excels and is preferable to the wild barren trees of a forest [[9]], especially it appears so when laden with choice fruit; so the church, who here returns the commendation to…

He brought me to the banqueting house Or “into” it [[15]]. The “house of wine” [[16]], as it is literally in the original; either the “wine cellar” [[17]], as some, where stores of it were kept; or, the “place of fasting” [[18]], as others, and, as we render it, a “banqueting house”; where it was…

Stay me with flagons Of wine, which is a supporter of the animal spirits [[21]]. The church was now in a house of wine, where was plenty of it; even of the love of Christ, compared to wine, and preferred unto it, (Song 1:2, Song 1:4) ; the church though she had had large discoveries of it, desired…

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. ] The church, having desired to be stayed, supported, strengthened, and comforted, presently found her beloved with her, who with both hands sustained her; which shows his tender love to her, care of her, and regard for her; and is…

I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem Of whom, see . There is some difficulty in these words, whether they are spoken by the church, or by Christ: according to our version, they are the words of the church, and bids fair to be the sense; since they are spoken to the virgins, her companions,…

The voice of my beloved! &c.] So says the church, who well knew Christ her beloved’s voice; which is known by all believers in him, and is distinguished by them from the voice of others; by the majesty and authority of it; by the power and efficacy of it; by its directing them to himself, and by…

My beloved is like a roe, or a young hart The church, upon the swift and speedy approach of Christ unto her, compares him to these creatures; which are well known for their swiftness [[10]] in running, and agility in leaping, as before observed: and, besides these things, Christ may be compared to…

My beloved spake, and said unto me Christ, the church’s beloved, being so near her, she could distinctly hear and understand what he spoke, and relate the very words: or, “he answered to me” [[14]]; to a secret petition, put up to him for a more full enjoyment of him; for there is mental as well as…

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. ] A season of the year which keeps persons within doors, makes going abroad unsafe, unpleasant, and uncomfortable; very unfit for travelling, roads bad, rivers impassable, and journeying very difficult; but now this season being over, and the…

The flowers appear on the earth One of the first signs of the spring being come [[18]]; and make the season delightful and pleasant; the sun returning with its warming influences, herbs and plants are quickened and spring up; fields and meadows, as well as gardens, are covered with a variety of…

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs Another sign of spring being come, nay, of its being pretty much advanced, since Christ makes this a token of summer being at hand, . Theopompus [[4]] speaks of figs in the middle of the spring.

O my dove An epithet sometimes used by lovers [[15]], and is a new title Christ gives to his church, to express his affection for her and interest in her; and to draw her out of her retirement, to go along with him.

Take us the foxes Of which there were great numbers in Judea; see ; these words are directed not to angels, nor to civil magistrates, but to ministers of the word; but whether the words of Christ, or the church, is not easy to determine; some think they are the words of the church, who had hitherto…

My beloved is mine, and I am his These are the words of the church; who, having had such evidences of Christ’s love to her, and care of her, expresses her faith of interest in him, and suggests the obligations she lay under to observe his commands.

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away Which may be connected with ; either with the former part, “my beloved is mine” ; and then the sense is, as long as night and day continue, and God’s covenant with both stands sure; so long union to Christ, and covenant interest in him, will abide: or…