Song of Solomon 1

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 the Red Sea accords with the allusion to the tabernacle ( Solomon 1:5 , Song of Solomon 3:6 Song of Solomon 3:7 ); it rightly is put at the beginning of the Church's call. The ardor and beauty of the bride are the point of comparison; ( Solomon 1:4 ) "run"; ( Solomon 1:5 ) "comely." Also, like Pharaoh's horses, she forms a great company ( Revelation 19:7 Revelation 19:14 ). As Jesus Christ is both Shepherd and Conqueror, so believers are not only His sheep, but also, as a Church militant now, His chariots and horses ( Solomon 6:4 ).

10. rows of jewels--( Ezekiel 16:11-13 ). OLERIUS says, Persian ladies wear two or three rows of pearls round the head, beginning on the forehead and descending down to the cheeks and under the chin, so that their faces seem to be set in pearls ( Ezekiel 16:11 ) implies the vital energy of the bride; this verse, her superadded graces ( Proverbs 1:9 , 4:9 , 1 Timothy 2:9 , 2 Peter 1:5 ).

11. We--the Trinity implied by the Holy Ghost, whether it was so by the writer of the Song or not ( Genesis 1:26 , Proverbs 8:30 , 30:4 ). "The Jews acknowledged God as king, and Messiah as king, in interpreting the Song, but did not know that these two are one" [LEIGHTON].
make--not merely give ( Ephesians 2:10 ).
borders of gold, with studs of silver--that is, "spots of silver"--Jesus Christ delights to give more "to him that hath" ( Matthew 25:29 ). He crowns His own work in us ( Isaiah 26:12 ). The "borders" here are equivalent to "rows" ( Solomon 1:10 ); but here, the King seems to give the finish to her attire, by adding a crown (borders, or circles) of gold studded with silver spots, as in Esther 2:17 . Both the royal and nuptial crown, or chaplet. The Hebrew for "spouse" ( Solomon 4:8 ) is a crowned one ( Ezekiel 16:12 , Revelation 2:10 ). The crown is given at once upon conver sion, in title, but in sensible possession afterwards ( 2 Timothy 4:8 ).

12. While--It is the presence of the Sun of Righteousness that draws out the believer's odors of grace. It was the sight of Him at table that caused the two women to bring forth their ointments for Him ( Luke 7:37 Luke 7:38 , John 12:3 , 2 Corinthians 2:15 ). Historically fulfilled ( Matthew 2:11 ); spiritually ( Revelation 3:20 ); and in church worship ( Matthew 18:20 ); and at the Lord's Supper especially, for here public communion with Him at table amidst His friends is spoken of, as Solomon 1:4 refers to private communion ( 1 Corinthians 10:16 1 Corinthians 10:21 ); typically ( Exodus 24:9-11 ); the future perfect fulfilment ( Luke 22:30 , Revelation 19:9 ). The allegory supposes the King to have stopped in His movements and to be seated with His friends on the divan. What grace that a table should be prepared for us, while still militant ( Psalms 23:5 )!
my spikenard--not boasting, but owning the Lord's grace to and in her. The spikenard is a lowly herb, the emblem of humility. She rejoices that He is well pleased with her graces, His own work ( Philippians 4:18 ).

13. bundle of myrrh--abundant preciousness (Greek), ( 1 Peter 2:7 ). Even a little myrrh was costly; much more a bundle ( Colossians 2:9 ). BURROWES takes it of a scent-box filled with liquid myrrh; the liquid obtained by incision gave the tree its chief value.
he--rather, "it"; it is the myrrh that lies in the bosom, as the cluster of camphire is in the vineyards ( Solomon 1:14 ).
all night--an undivided heart ( Ephesians 3:17 ; contrast Jeremiah 4:14 , Ezekiel 16:15 Ezekiel 16:30 ). Yet on account of the everlasting covenant, God restores the adulteress ( Ezekiel 16:60 Ezekiel 16:62 , Hosea 2:2 , &c.). The night is the whole present dispensation till the everlasting day dawns ( Romans 13:12 ). Also, literally, "night" ( Psalms 119:147 Psalms 119:148 ), the night of affliction ( Psalms 42:8 ).

14. cluster--Jesus Christ is one, yet manifold in His graces.
camphire--or, "cypress." The "hennah" is meant, whose odorous flowers grow in clusters, of a color white and yellow softly blended; its bark is dark, the foliage light green. Women deck their persons with them. The loveliness of Jesus Christ.
vineyards--appropriate in respect to Him who is "the vine." The spikenard was for the banquet ( Solomon 1:12 ); the myrrh was in her bosom continually ( Solomon 1:13 ); the camphire is in the midst of natural beauties, which, though lovely, are eclipsed by the one cluster, Jesus Christ, pre-eminent above them all.
En-gedi--in South Palestine, near the Dead Sea ( Joshua 15:62 , Ezekiel 47:10 ), famed for aromatic shrubs.

15. fair--He discerns beauty in her, who had said, "I am black" ( Solomon 1:5 ), because of the everlasting covenant ( Psalms 45:11 , Isaiah 62:5 , Ephesians 1:4 Ephesians 1:5 ).
doves' eyes--large and beautiful in the doves of Syria. The prominent features of her beauty ( Matthew 10:16 ), gentleness, innocence, and constant love, emblem of the Holy Ghost, who changes us to His own likeness ( Genesis 8:10 Genesis 8:11 , Matthew 3:16 ). The opposite kind of eyes ( Psalms 101:5 , Matthew 20:15 , 2 Peter 2:14 ).

16. Reply of the Bride. She presumes to call Him beloved, because He called her so first. Thou callest me "fair"; if I am so, it is not in myself; it is all from Thee ( Psalms 90:17 ); but Thou art fair in Thyself ( Psalms 45:2 ).
pleasant--( Proverbs 3:17 ) towards Thy friends ( 2 Samuel 1:26 ).
bed . . . green--the couch of green grass on which the King and His bride sit to "rest at noon." Thus her prayer in Solomon 1:7 is here granted; a green oasis in the desert, always found near waters in the East ( Psalms 23:2 , Isaiah 41:17-19 ). The scene is a kiosk, or summer house. Historically, the literal resting of the Babe of Beth-lehem and his parents on the green grass provided for cattle ( Luke 2:7 Luke 2:12 ). In this verse there is an incidental allusion, in Solomon 1:15 , to the offering ( Luke 2:24 ). So the "cedar and fir" ceiling refers to the temple ( 1 Kings 5:6-10 , 6:15-18 ); type of the heavenly temple ( Revelation 21:22 ).