Song of Solomon 8

7. waters--in contrast with the "coals of fire" ( Solomon 8:6 1 Kings 18:33-38 ). Persecutions ( Acts 8:1 ) cannot quench love ( Hebrews 10:34 , Revelation 12:15 Revelation 12:16 ). Our many provocations have not quenched His love ( Romans 8:33-39 ).
if . . . give all the substance . . . contemned--Nothing short of Jesus Christ Himself, not even heaven without Him, can satisfy the saint ( Philippians 3:8 ). Satan offers the world, as to Jesus Christ ( Matthew 4:8 ), so to the saint, in vain ( 1 John 2:15-17 , 5:4 ). Nothing but our love in turn can satisfy Him ( 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ).

8. The Gentile Church ( Ezekiel 16:48 ). "We," that is, the Hebrew Church, which heretofore admitted Gentiles to communion, only by becoming Judaic proselytes. Now first idolatrous Gentiles are admitted directly ( Acts 11:17-26 ). Generally, the saint's anxiety for other souls ( 5:19 , John 4:28 John 4:29 ).
no breasts--neither faith nor love as yet which "come by hearing" of Him who first loved us. Not yet fit to be His bride, and mother of a spiritual offspring.
what shall we do--the chief question in the early Church at the first council ( Acts 15:23-29 ). How shall "the elder brother" treat the "younger," already received by the Father ( Luke 15:25-32 )? Generally ( 2 Samuel 15:15 , John 9:4 , Acts 9:6 , Galatians 6:10 ).
In the day . . . spoken for--that is, when she shall be sought in marriage ( Judges 14:7 ), namely, by Jesus Christ, the heavenly bridegroom.

9. wall . . . door--the very terms employed as to the Gentile question ( Acts 14:27 , Ephesians 2:14 ). If she be a wall in Zion, founded on Jesus Christ ( 1 Corinthians 3:11 ), we will not "withstand God" ( Acts 11:17 , 15:8-11 ). But if so, we must not "build" ( Acts 15:14-17 ) on her "wood, hay, stubble" ( 1 Corinthians 3:12 ), that is, Jewish rites, &c., but "a palace of silver," that is, all the highest privileges of church communion ( Galatians 2:11-18 Ephesians 2:11-22 ). Image from the splendid turrets "built" on the "walls" of Jerusalem, and flanking the "door," or gateway. The Gentile Church is the "door," the type of catholic accessibleness ( 1 Corinthians 16:9 ); but it must be not a mere thoroughfare but furnished with a wooden framework, so as not merely to admit, but also to safely enclose: cedar is fragrant, beautiful, and enduring.

10. The Gentile Church's joy at its free admission to gospel privileges ( Acts 15:30 Acts 15:31 ). She is one wall in the spiritual temple of the Holy Ghost, the Hebrew Church is the other; Jesus Christ, the common foundation, joins them ( Ephesians 2:11-22 ).
breasts . . . towers--alluding to the silver palace, which the bridal virgins proposed to build on her ( Solomon 8:9 ). "Breasts" of consolation ( Isaiah 66:11 ); faith and love ( 1 Thessalonians 5:8 ); opposed to her previous state, "no breasts" ( Solomon 8:8 , 2 Thessalonians 1:3 ). Thus Ezekiel 16:46 Ezekiel 16:61 was fulfilled, both Samaria and the Gentiles being joined to the Jewish gospel Church.
favour--rather, "peace." The Gentile Church too is become the Shulamite ( Solomon 6:13 ), or peace-enjoying bride of Solomon, that is, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace ( Romans 5:1 , Ephesians 2:14 ). Reject not those whom God accepts ( Numbers 11:28 , Luke 9:49 , Acts 15:8 Acts 15:9 ). Rather, superadd to such every aid and privilege ( Solomon 8:9 ).

11. The joint Church speaks of Jesus Christ's vineyard. Transference of it from the Jews, who rendered not the fruits, as is implied by the silence respecting any, to the Gentiles ( Matthew 21:33-43 ).
Baal-hamon--equivalent to the owner of a multitude; so Israel in Solomon's day ( 1 Kings 4:20 ); so Isaiah 5:1 , "a very fruitful hill" abounding in privileges, as in numbers. thousand pieces--namely, silverlings, or shekels. The vineyard had a thousand vines probably; a vine at a silverling ( Isaiah 7:23 ), referring to this passage.

12. "mine" by grant of the true Solomon. Not merely "let out to keepers," as in the Jewish dispensation of works, but "mine" by grace. This is "before me," that is, in my power [MAURER]. But though no longer under constraint of "keeping" the law as a mere letter and covenant of works, love to Jesus Christ will constrain her the more freely to render all to Solomon ( Romans 8:2-4 , 1 Corinthians 6:20 , Galatians 5:13 , 1 Peter 2:16 ), after having paid what justice and His will require should be paid to others ( 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 , 9:14 ). "Before me" may also mean "I will never lose sight of it" (contrast Solomon 1:6 ) [MOODY STUART]. She will not keep it for herself, though so freely given to her, but for His use and glory ( Luke 19:13 , Romans 6:15 , 14:7-9 , 1 Corinthians 12:7 ). Or the "two hundred" may mean a double tithe (two-tenths of the whole paid back by Jesus Christ) as the reward of grace for our surrender of all (the thousand) to Him ( Galatians 6:7 , Hebrews 6:10 ); then she and "those that keep" are the same [ADELAIDE NEWTON]. But Jesus Christ pays back not merely two tithes, but His all for our all ( 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 ).

13. Jesus Christ's address to her; now no longer visibly present. Once she "had not kept" her vineyard ( Solomon 1:6 ); now she "dwells" in it, not as its owner, but its superintendent under Jesus Christ, with vinedressers ("companions"), for example, Paul, &c. ( Acts 15:25 Acts 15:26 ), under her ( Song of Solomon 8:11 Song of Solomon 8:12 ); these ought to obey her when she obeys Jesus Christ. Her voice in prayer and praise is to be heard continually by Jesus Christ, if her voice before men is to be effective ( Solomon 2:14 , end; Acts 6:4 , Acts 13:2 Acts 13:3 ).