Song of Solomon 8:9

If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar. WALL ... DOOR - the very terms employed as to the Gentile question (; ). If she be a wall in Zion, founded on Jesus Christ (), we will not "withstand God" (Acts 15:8). But if so, we must not "build" (Acts 15:14) on her "wood, hay, stubble" (), i:e., Jewish rites, etc.; but a "palace of silver," i:e., all the highest privileges of church communion ...

8-12 The church pleads for the Gentiles, who then had not the word of God, nor the means of grace. Those who are brought to Christ themselves, should contrive what they may do to help others to him. Babes in Christ are always seen among Christians, and the welfare of their weak brethren is an object of continual prayer with the stronger believers. If the beginning of this work were likened to a wall built upon Him the precious Foundation and Corner-stone, then the Gentile church would become as a palace for the great King, built of solid silver. If the first preaching of the gospel were as the making a door through the wall of partition, that door should be lasting, as cased with boards of durable cedar. She shall be carefully and effectually protected, enclosed so as to receive no damage. The church is full of care for those yet uncalled. Christ says, I will do all that is necessary to...

Verse 9. _IF SHE_ BE _A WALL_] All these expressions, says _Calmet_, show that it was necessary to provide a husband for this young sister. For a _woman_ without a _husband_ is like a _wall_ without _towers_, and without defense; is like a _gate_ or _door_ without _bar_ or _lock_; and like a _city_ without _walls_. They must therefore provide for their sister a _rich, powerful_, and _illustrious_ man; qualities here figured by _towers_ or _palaces_ of _silver_, and _doors_ of _cedar_. As it is customary to build _towers_ upon a _wall,_ and to put _bolts_ and _bars_ upon a _door_ in order to secure it, so the expressions may point out the _defense, protection_, and _guardianship_ which they imagined this young woman to require....

A brief dialogue commencing with a question and answer probably made by brothers of the bride concerning a younger sister who will soon be old enough to be asked in marriage. The answer is given in the form of a parable: “If she be a wall,” i. e., stedfast in chastity and virtue, one on whom no light advances can be made, then let us honor and reward her. This fortress-wall shall be crowned as it were with a tower or battlement of silver. But “if she be a door,” light-minded and accessible to seduction Proverbs 7:11, then let us provide against assailants the protection of a cedar bar or panel. Song of Solomon 8:10 The bride herself replies with the pride of innocence and virtue already crowned. She has shown herself to be

EXPOSITION SONG OF SOLOMON 8:1 OH THAT THOU WERT AS MY BROTHER, THAT SUCKED THE BREASTS OF MY MOTHER! WHEN I SHOULD FIND THEE WITHOUT, I WOULD KISS THEE; AND NONE WOULD DESPISE ME. I WOULD LEAD THEE, AND BRING THEE INTO MY MOTHER'S HOUSE, WHO WOULD INSTRUCT ME; I WOULD CAUSE THEE TO DRINK OF SPICED WINE, OF THE JUICE OF MY POMEGRANATE. HIS LEFT HAND SHOULD BE UNDER MY HEAD, AND HIS RIGHT HAND SHOULD EMBRACE ME. The meaning seems to be this—Let our relation to one another be the highest and the purest and the most permanent possible. The sisterly relation is not merely one of affection, but one of blood. The bond between husband and wife may be broken by the caprice and weakness of human feeling, but nothing can destroy the bond of blood. "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" ...

IF SHE [BE] A WALL,.... Built upon a sure foundation; and firmly established in her faith on Christ, and love to him; and is constant therein, and stands as a wall against the attacks of enemies b; WE WILL BUILD UPON HER A PALACE OF SILVER; though at first but as a side wall, yet should become a complete habitation, even a palace for Christ, the King of kings, and, being designed for so illustrious an inhabitant, should be a "silver" one, denoting its worth, value, and splendour; the builders of it are the church and her ministers; though Christ is the principal builder, Zechariah 6:12. Or, "a tower of silver" c, signifying, that she should be well fortified, and be put into a posture of defence against her enemies: the Gentile church at first had but a very small appearance of a building, a foundation just laid, a side wall erected; but, in a short time, a noble struc

CHAPTER 8 The last chapter of the Song is a review of the whole. There is unquestionably a recapitulation of the entire book. The bride's desires are once more given to be loved and caressed by Him. For the last time we have the charge to the daughters of Jerusalem and once more the coming is announced. “Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning upon her Beloved?” She returns with Him. The Beloved is mentioned seven times in the book. There is the voice of the Beloved (Song of Solomon 2:8); the call of the Beloved (Song of Solomon 2:10); claiming the Beloved (Song of Solomon 2:16); opening the Beloved ...

THE SONG OF THE LITTLE SISTER. Whether part of the story or as a fragment of a song, Song of Solomon 8:8 introduces the brothers of a young woman speaking, as her guardians, and telling of their anxiety about her when she was still too young to marry, and the precautions they would take for her welfare. They would reward her modesty with adornments that might serve as part of her marriage dowry, and they would give strong protection in the case of any signs of weakness. The bride replies that she, in her maturity has the strength of chastity and the attraction of beauty. Song of Solomon 8:10. one that found peace: a peculiar expression; we would rather expect that bringeth peace or prosperity. But it seems far-fetched to make it mean one to whom the oppressor (Solo

IF SHE BE. WALL. Spoken by another brother: i.e. like. wall that keeps out all intruders. PALACE. turret, or battlement. A DOOR: i.e. accessible to any one. BOARDS. planks, or panels....

IF SHE BE A WALL, &C.— _If she be a wall, we will build upon her two silver towers._ The meaning of the passage is, "We will take care of her in proportion as she is capable of receiving or profiting by our bounty, like as men are accustomed to build upon good foundations." The orientals delight thus to express themselves by parables or comparisons....