CHAPTER II _A description of the bridegroom, and his love to the bride_, 1-9. _A fine description of spring_, 10-13. _The mutual love of both_, 14-17. NOTES ON CHAP. II Verse Song of Solomon 2:1. _I_ AM _THE ROSE OF SHARON_] _Sharon_ was a very fruitful place, where David's cattle were fed, 1... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 2:3. _AS THE APPLE TREE_] The bride returns the compliment, and says, _As the apple_ or _citron tree is among the trees of the_ _wood_, so is the bridegroom among all other men. _I SAT DOWN UNDER HIS SHADOW_] I am become his spouse, and my union with him makes me indescribably... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 2:4. _HE BROUGHT ME TO THE BANQUETING HOUSE_] Literally, _the_ _house of wine_. The ancients preserved their wine, not in barrels or dark cellars under ground, as we do, but in large _pitchers_, ranged against the wall in some upper apartment in the house, the place where they... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 2:5. _STAY ME WITH FLAGONS_] I believe the original words mean some kind of _cordials_ with which we are unacquainted. The _versions_ in general understand some kind of _ointment_ or _perfumes_ by the first term. I suppose the good man was perfectly sincere who took this for hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 2:7. _I CHARGE YOU - BY THE ROES_] This was probably some rustic mode of adjuration. The verses themselves require little comment. With this verse the _first night_ of the _first day_ is supposed to end.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 2:8. _BEHOLD, HE COMETH LEAPING_] This appears to be highly characteristic of the gambols of the shepherds, and points out the ecstasy with which those who were enamoured ran to their mates. It is supposed that the _second day's eclogue_ begins at this verse. The author of what... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _HE STANDETH BEHIND OUR WALL_] This may refer to the _wall_ by which the house was _surrounded_, the space between which and the house constituted the _court_. He was seen first _behind the wall_, and then in the _court_; and lastly came to the _window_ of his bride's chamber.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _THE WINTER IS PAST_] Mr. _Harmer_ has made some good collections on this part, from Drs. _Shaw_ and _Russel_, which I shall transcribe. One part of the winter is distinguished from the rest of it by the people of the East, on account of the _severity of the_ _cold_. At _Aleppo_ it lasts... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _THE FIG TREE PUTTETH FORTH HER GREEN FIGS_] The fig tree in Judea bears _double_ crops; the first of which is ripe in _spring_. But the tree, as I have elsewhere observed, bears figs all the year through, in the climes congenial to it. That is, the fig tree has always _ripe_ or _unripe_ f... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _MY DOVE - IN THE CLEFTS OF THE ROCK_] He compares his bride hiding herself in her secret chambers and closets to a _dove_ in the clefts of the rock.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _TAKE US THE FOXES_] That these were ruinous to vines all authors allow. They love the vine, and they are eaten in autumn in some countries, according to _Galen_, when they are very fat with eating the grapes. They abounded in Judea; and did most damage when the clusters were young and ten... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _MY BELOVED_ IS _MINE_] The words of the _bride_ on his entering: "I am thy own; thou art wholly mine." _HE FEEDETH AMONG THE LILIES._] The odour with which he is surrounded is as fine as if he passed the night among the sweetest scented flowers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _UNTIL THE DAY BREAK_] Literally, _until the day breathe_; until the first dawn, which is usually accompanied with the most refreshing _breezes_. _THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY_] Referring to the _evening_ or _setting of_ _the sun_, at which all _shadows_ vanish. _THE MOUNTAINS OF BETHER._] Tran... [ Continue Reading ]