
Text -- The Song of Songs 1:4 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
By thy grace and holy spirit.

Wesley: Sos 1:4 - -- Both I, thy spouse, and the virgins, my companions. And this change of numbers teaches us that the spouse is one great body, consisting of many member...
Both I, thy spouse, and the virgins, my companions. And this change of numbers teaches us that the spouse is one great body, consisting of many members.

Will follow thee readily, chearfully, and swiftly.

Christ, the king of his church, hath answered my prayer.

Wesley: Sos 1:4 - -- Where I may freely converse with him, and enjoy him. He hath taken me into intimate communion with himself.
Where I may freely converse with him, and enjoy him. He hath taken me into intimate communion with himself.

This shall be the matter of our thoughts and discourses.
JFB: Sos 1:4 - -- (1) The cry of ancient Israel for Messiah, for example, Simeon, Anna, &c. (2) The cry of an awakened soul for the drawing of the Spirit, after it has ...
(1) The cry of ancient Israel for Messiah, for example, Simeon, Anna, &c. (2) The cry of an awakened soul for the drawing of the Spirit, after it has got a glimpse of Christ's loveliness and its own helplessness.

JFB: Sos 1:4 - -- The Father draws (Joh 6:44). The Son draws (Jer 31:3; Hos 11:4; Joh 12:32). "Draw" here, and "Tell" (Son 1:7), reverently qualify the word "kiss" (Son...

JFB: Sos 1:4 - -- No believer desires to go to heaven alone. We are converted as individuals; we follow Christ as joined in a communion of saints (Joh 1:41, Joh 1:45). ...

JFB: Sos 1:4 - -- Her prayer is answered even beyond her desires. Not only is she permitted to run after Him, but is brought into the inmost pavilion, where Eastern kin...
Her prayer is answered even beyond her desires. Not only is she permitted to run after Him, but is brought into the inmost pavilion, where Eastern kings admitted none but the most intimate friends (Est 4:11; Est 5:2; Psa 27:5). The erection of the temple of Solomon was the first bringing of the bride into permanent, instead of migratory, chambers of the King. Christ's body on earth was the next (Joh 2:21), whereby believers are brought within the veil (Eph 2:6; Heb 10:19-20). Entrance into the closet for prayer is the first step. The earnest of the future bringing into heaven (Joh 14:3). His chambers are the bride's also (Isa 26:20). There are various chambers, plural (Joh 14:2).

JFB: Sos 1:4 - -- Rather, "commemorate with praises" (Isa 63:7). The mere remembrance of spiritual joys is better than the present enjoyment of carnal ones (Psa 4:6-7).
Draw me - Let me have the full assurance of thy affection

Clarke: Sos 1:4 - -- We will run after thee - Speaking in the plural through modesty, while still herself is meant
We will run after thee - Speaking in the plural through modesty, while still herself is meant

Clarke: Sos 1:4 - -- The king hath brought me - My spouse is a potentate, a mighty king, no ordinary person
The king hath brought me - My spouse is a potentate, a mighty king, no ordinary person

Into his chambers - He has favored me with his utmost confidence

Clarke: Sos 1:4 - -- The upright love thee - The most perfect and accomplished find thee worthy of their highest esteem.
The upright love thee - The most perfect and accomplished find thee worthy of their highest esteem.
TSK -> Sos 1:4
TSK: Sos 1:4 - -- Draw : Jer 31:3; Hos 11:4; Joh 6:44, Joh 12:32; Phi 2:12, Phi 2:13
we will : Psa 119:32, Psa 119:60; Heb 12:1
the king : Son 2:3-5, Son 3:4; Psa 45:14...
Draw : Jer 31:3; Hos 11:4; Joh 6:44, Joh 12:32; Phi 2:12, Phi 2:13
we will : Psa 119:32, Psa 119:60; Heb 12:1
the king : Son 2:3-5, Son 3:4; Psa 45:14, Psa 45:15; Mat 25:10; Joh 14:2, Joh 14:3; Eph 2:6
we will be : Psa 98:4-9, Psa 149:2; Isa 25:8, Isa 45:25, Isa 61:3; Zep 3:14; Zec 9:9; Luk 2:10; Phi 3:3, Phi 4:4; 1Pe 1:8
remember : Son 1:2; Psa 42:4, Psa 48:9, Psa 63:5, Psa 103:1, Psa 103:2, Psa 111:4; Isa 63:7; Luk 22:19; 1Co 11:23-26
the upright love thee : or, they love thee uprightly, Son 1:3; Joh 21:15-17; Eph 6:24

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Sos 1:2-4
Barnes: Sos 1:2-4 - -- the prologue. - The Song commences with two stanzas in praise of the king (now absent) by a chorus of virgins belonging to the royal household. Expo...
the prologue. - The Song commences with two stanzas in praise of the king (now absent) by a chorus of virgins belonging to the royal household. Expositors, Jewish and Christian, interpret the whole as spoken by the Church of the heavenly Bridegroom.
Let him kiss me - Christian expositors have regarded this as a prayer of the Church under the old covenant for closer communion with the Godhead through the Incarnation. Thus, Gregory: "Every precept of Christ received by the Church is as one of His kisses."
Thy love - Better as margin, i. e., thy endearments or tokens of affection are more desired than any other delights.
Because ... - Better, For fragrance are thine ointments good, making with the clause that follows two steps of a climax: "thy perfumes are good, thy name the best of all perfumes.""Ointments"here are unguents or fragrant oils largely used for anointing at entertainments (compare Psa 23:5; Luk 7:46; Joh 12:3).
Thy name ... poured forth - As unguents are the sweeter for diffusion, so the king’ s name the wider it is known.
The king hath brought me - Made me a member of his household. This is true of every member of the chorus as well as of the bride.
The upright love thee - Better as in the margin: uprightly do they (i. e., "the virgins"of Son 1:3) love thee. Compare the use of the same word in Psa 58:1; Pro 23:31.
Poole -> Sos 1:4
Poole: Sos 1:4 - -- Draw me by thy grace and Holy Spirit effectually inclining my heart to come unto thee, as this phrase implies, Jer 31:3 Hos 11:4 Joh 6:44,45 . As tho...
Draw me by thy grace and Holy Spirit effectually inclining my heart to come unto thee, as this phrase implies, Jer 31:3 Hos 11:4 Joh 6:44,45 . As thou hast outwardly called and invited me, so do thou inwardly move me, who am naturally averse and backward to follow thee.
We both I thy spouse, and the virgins my companions. And this change of numbers teaches us that the spouse in this book is one great body, consisting of many members, of whom therefore he speaks sometimes in the singular, and sometimes in the plural number.
Will run after thee will follow thee readily, and cheerfully, and swiftly; which is opposed to her former sluggishness and listlessness. We will not receive thy grace in vain, but will improve it, and co-operate with it, and stir up all our strength to serve and obey thee.
The king Christ, my Husband and Lord, the King of his church, as he is oft called, the King of kings, &c.
Hath brought me Heb. hath caused me to come , by drawing me as I desired. He hath answered my prayer.
Into his chambers where I may most freely and familiarly converse with him, and enjoy him. He hath taken me into intimate communion with himself. These
chambers seem to note either,
1. Those heavenly mansions into which believers are sometimes said to be brought, even in this life, as Eph 2:6 , because they have a lively faith, and a well-grounded hope and assurance, and some comfortable foretastes of that blessed state. Or rather,
2. Those places and conditions upon earth in which they enjoy the special favour and fellowship of God in Christ, as the public assemblies, in which Christ is in a peculiar manner present, Mat 18:20 , where his word and ordinances are dispensed, and where he poureth forth his Spirit and blessings, and speaks great peace, and gives forth his loves unto his people. Yea, even the private closets wherein believers enjoy much of Christ, by prayer, and praise, and reading, and meditation, are such chambers also; for it is not the place, but the state, or privilege, which is here signified, and which is considerable.
In thee or, for thee ; in or for thy love and favour to us, which is the principal cause of our joy.
Remember or commemorate , or celebrate . This shall be the matter of our thoughts and discourses.
The upright those chaste and sincere virgins mentioned Son 1:3 , who are here opposed to hypocritical professors.
PBC -> Sos 1:4
PBC: Sos 1:4 - -- " Draw me"
The Shulamite gives a heartfelt request in Draw me. This reminds us that God the Father draws his children to Christ, and that none can co...
" Draw me"
The Shulamite gives a heartfelt request in Draw me. This reminds us that God the Father draws his children to Christ, and that none can come to Christ unless that happens. What follows is a running to Him after being drawn. The Shulamite and the virgins affirm that they will remember His love more than wine. Wine was a very important commodity in that day, since it took much labor to acquire.
" we will remember thy love more than wine"
They are speaking as to his love being much better than wine when they say, we will remember thy love more than wine.
Haydock -> Sos 1:3-4
Haydock: Sos 1:3-4 - -- To, &c., is in the Septuagint; but not in Hebrew or Complutensian. (Calmet) ---
Grace must draw, and then people will run, John vi. 44., and xii. 3...
To, &c., is in the Septuagint; but not in Hebrew or Complutensian. (Calmet) ---
Grace must draw, and then people will run, John vi. 44., and xii. 32., and Philippians iii. 12. (St. Ambrose) (Bossuet) ---
Rooms. Where there is abundance of wine and ointments. The extraordinary favours of heaven are not granted to all, Matthew xiii. 11. (Calmet) ---
Righteous. The apostles, and faithful souls, (Haydock) and all who form a right judgment of things, (Menochius) having their thoughts, works, and actions composed. (Tirinus) ---
Black. Or brown, ver. 5. (Haydock) ---
The Egyptians were of a less fair complexion, and she had been exposed to the sun, ver. 5. (Calmet) ---
The synagogue gloried in her advantages; but the Gentiles being chosen by Christ, obtain the palm. (Theodoret) ---
Though outwardly afflicted, the Church is inwardly fair. (Worthington) ---
Cedar. Or of the Arabs, who dwelt in tents, made of black goat's hair. (Calmet) ---
The tents of the eastern kings were equal in magnificence to our palaces. (Bernier, Valle, &c.)
Gill -> Sos 1:4
Gill: Sos 1:4 - -- Draw me,.... With the cords of love, for what draw lovers to each other more strongly? under the influence of that they cannot bear to be without each...
Draw me,.... With the cords of love, for what draw lovers to each other more strongly? under the influence of that they cannot bear to be without each other's company. Aben Ezra takes these words to be spoken by the virgins, who everyone of them said this, promising upon it to follow after the drawer; but they are rather the request of the church, desirous of nearer and more intimate communion with Christ; for this is not to be understood of drawing at first conversion, as the fruit of love, and under the influence of grace, Jer 31:3; but of being brought nearer to Christ, and to enjoy more of him;
we will run after thee; the church and the virgins, she and her companions, or particular believers; everyone of them in their respective stations would act with more rigour upon such drawings; would run in a way of duty, follow Christ, and walk in his steps; and as they had him for an example, and according to his word, and in the ways of his commandments: or "that we may run after thee" s; intimating that there is no running without drawing; no following Christ, at least no running after him with alacrity and cheerfulness, without being drawn by his love, and influenced by his grace;
the King hath brought me into his chambers: the blessing she sought after, and was so solicitous for in the preceding verses; namely, to have the marriage consummated, to be owned by Christ as his spouse and bride, by taking her home, and introducing her into the nuptial chamber; by putting her into the enjoyment of himself, and the possession of his substance: and this being done by him as King of saints, yea, of the world, showed great condescension on his part, and great honour bestowed on her; since by this act, as he was King, she was declared queen!
we will be glad and rejoice in thee: she and her bridesmaids, the virgins that attended her; that is, "when he should introduce" her into his chambers, as some t render the words; then they should express their joy and gladness on that occasion; and that in the greatness, glory, and fitness of his person; in the fulness of grace in him; in the blessings of grace from him; in what he has done for, and is to his church and people; in the offices he bears, and in the relations he stands in to them; and particularly that of a husband, now declared;
we will remember thy love more than wine: which, upon the introduction of the bride to the bridegroom, might be plentifully drank; of the preferableness of Christ's love to wine; see Gill on Son 1:2; it may design more particularly the love of Christ, expressed at this time of solemnizing the marriage between him and his church in an open manner, Hos 2:19; and which would never be forgotten: Christ's love is remembered when thought of and meditated upon; when faith is exercised on it, and the desires of the soul are drawn after it, and the affections set upon it; and when it is often spoken of to others, being uppermost in the mind; saints under the Gospel dispensation have an ordinance for this purpose, to, commemorate the love of Christ;
the upright love thee; or "uprightnesses" u; men of upright hearts and conversations, who have right spirits renewed in them; or Israelites indeed, in whom there is no guile; who have the truth of grace in them, walk uprightly according to the rule of God's word, and the Gospel of Christ; and do all they do sincerely, from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God; such love Christ superlatively, sincerely, fervently, and constantly; and "love him rightly", or "most uprightly", as some w render the phrase.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Sos 1:4 Heb “they love you.” The words “the young women” do not appear in the Hebrew but are supplied in the translation for the sake ...
Geneva Bible -> Sos 1:4
Geneva Bible: Sos 1:4 ( d ) Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his ( e ) chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy lov...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Sos 1:1-17
TSK Synopsis: Sos 1:1-17 - --1 The church's love unto Christ.5 She confesses her deformity,7 and prays to be directed to his flock.8 Christ directs her to the shepherd's tents;9 a...
MHCC -> Sos 1:2-6
MHCC: Sos 1:2-6 - --The church, or rather the believer, speaks here in the character of the spouse of the King, the Messiah. The kisses of his mouth mean those assurances...
Matthew Henry -> Sos 1:2-6
Matthew Henry: Sos 1:2-6 - -- The spouse, in this dramatic poem, is here first introduced addressing herself to the bridegroom and then to the daughters of Jerusalem. I. To the b...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Sos 1:4
Keil-Delitzsch: Sos 1:4 - --
The second pentastich also begins with a solo:
4 Draw me, so will we run after thee.
All recent interpreters (except Böttcher) translate, like L...
Constable: Sos 1:2--3:6 - --II. THE COURTSHIP 1:2--3:5
Perhaps the outstanding characteristic of this first major section of the book is the...

Constable: Sos 1:2-11 - --A. The Beginning of Love 1:2-11
In the NASB, NIV, and NKJV the translators identified the speakers in th...
