Verse 1

are the feet of him  …  that publisheth peace” (Shulamite, Song of Solomon 6:13).

shoes — Sandals are richly jeweled in the East (Luke 15:22; Ephesians 6:15). She is evidently “on the mountains,” whither she was wafted (Song of Solomon 6:12), above the daughters of Jerusalem, who therefore portray her feet first.

daughter — of God the Father, with whom Jesus Christ is one (Matthew 5:9), “children of (the) God” (of peace), equivalent to Shulamite (Psalm 45:10-15; 2 Corinthians 6:18), as well as bride of Jesus Christ.

prince‘s — therefore princely herself, freely giving the word of life to others, not sparing her “feet,” as in Song of Solomon 5:3; Exodus 12:11. To act on the offensive is defensive to ourselves.

joints — rather, “the rounding”; the full graceful curve of the hips in the female figure; like the rounding of a necklace (as the Hebrew for “jewels” means). Compare with the English Version, Ephesians 4:13-16; Colossians 2:19. Or, applying it to the girdle binding together the robes round the hips (Ephesians 6:14).

cunning workman — (Psalm 139:14-16; Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 2:22; Ephesians 5:29, Ephesians 5:30, Ephesians 5:32).

Verse 2

navel — rather, “girdle-clasp,” called from the part of the person underneath. The “shoes” (Song of Solomon 7:1) prove that dress is throughout presupposed on all parts where it is usually worn. She is “a bride adorned for her husband”; the “uncomely parts,” being most adorned (1 Corinthians 12:23). The girdle-clasp was adorned with red rubies resembling the “round goblet” (crater or mixer) of spice-mixed wine (not “liquor,” Song of Solomon 8:2; Isaiah 5:22). The wine of the “New Testament in His blood” (Luke 22:20). The spiritual exhilaration by it was mistaken for that caused by new wine (Acts 2:13-17; Ephesians 5:18).

belly — that is, the vesture on it. As in Psalm 45:13, Psalm 45:14, gold and needlework compose the bride‘s attire, so golden-colored “wheat” and white “lilies” here. The ripe grain, in token of harvest joy, used to be decorated with lilies; so the accumulated spiritual food (John 6:35; John 12:24), free from chaff, not fenced with thorns, but made attractive by lilies (“believers,” Song of Solomon 2:2; Acts 2:46, Acts 2:47; Acts 5:13, Acts 5:14, in common partaking of it). Associated with the exhilarating wine cup (Zechariah 9:17), as here.

Verse 3

The daughters of Jerusalem describe her in the same terms as Jesus Christ in Song of Solomon 4:5. The testimonies of heaven and earth coincide.

twins — faith and love.

Verse 4

tower of ivory — In Song of Solomon 4:4, Jesus Christ saith, “a tower of David builded for an armory.” Strength and conquest are the main thought in His description; here, beauty and polished whiteness; contrast Song of Solomon 1:5.

fishpools — seen by Burckhardt, clear (Revelation 22:1), deep, quiet, and full (1 Corinthians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 2:15).

Heshbon — east of Jordan, residence of the Amorite king, Sihon (Numbers 21:25, etc.), afterwards held by Gad.

Bath-rabbim — “daughter of a multitude”; a crowded thoroughfare. Her eyes (Song of Solomon 4:1) are called by Jesus Christ, “doves‘ eyes,” waiting on Him. But here, looked on by the daughters or Jerusalem, they are compared to a placid lake. She is calm even amidst the crowd (Proverbs 8:2; John 16:33).

nose — or, face.

tower of Lebanon — a border-fortress, watching the hostile Damascus. Towards Jesus Christ her face was full of holy shame (see on Song of Solomon 4:1; see on Song of Solomon 4:3); towards spiritual foes, like a watchtower (Habakkuk 2:1; Mark 13:37; Acts 4:13), elevated, so that she looks not up from earth to heaven, but down from heaven to earth. If we retain “nose,” discernment of spiritual fragrance is meant.

Verse 5

upon thee — the headdress “upon” her.

Carmel — signifying a well-cultivated field (Isaiah 35:2). In Song of Solomon 5:15 He is compared to majestic Lebanon; she here, to fruitful Carmel. Her headdress, or crown (2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4). Also the souls won by her (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 1 Thessalonians 2:20), a token of her fruitfulness.

purple — royalty (Revelation 1:6). As applied to hair, it expresses the glossy splendor of black hair (literally, “pendulous hair”) so much admired in the East (Song of Solomon 4:1). While the King compares her hair to the flowering hair of goats (the token of her subjection), the daughters of Jerusalem compare it to royal purple.

galleries — (so Song of Solomon 1:17, Margin; Revelation 21:3). But Maurer translates here, “flowing ringlets”; with these, as with “thongs” (so Lee, from the Arabic translates it) “the King is held” bound (Song of Solomon 6:5; Proverbs 6:25). Her purple crowns of martyrdom especially captivated the King, appearing from His galleries (Acts 7:55, Acts 7:56). As Samson‘s strength was in his locks (Judges 16:17). Here first the daughters see the King themselves.

Verse 6

Nearer advance of the daughters to the Church (Acts 2:47; Acts 5:13, end). Love to her is the first token of love to Him (1 John 5:1, end).

delights — fascinating charms to them and to the King (Song of Solomon 7:5; Isaiah 62:4, Hephzi-bah). Hereafter, too (Zephaniah 3:17; Malachi 3:12; Revelation 21:9).

Verse 7

palm tree — (Psalm 92:12). The sure sign of water near (Exodus 15:27; John 7:38).

clusters — not of dates, as Moody Stuart thinks. The parallelism (Song of Solomon 7:8), “clusters of the vine,” shows it is here clusters of grapes. Vines were often trained (termed “wedded”) on other trees.

Verse 8

The daughters are no longer content to admire, but resolve to lay hold of her fruits, high though these be. The palm stem is bare for a great height, and has its crown of fruit-laden boughs at the summit. It is the symbol of triumphant joy (John 12:13); so hereafter (Revelation 7:9).

breasts — (Isaiah 66:11).

the vine — Jesus Christ (Hosea 14:7, end; John 15:1).

nose — that is, breath; the Holy Ghost breathed into her nostrils by Him, whose “mouth is most sweet” (Song of Solomon 5:16).

apples — citrons, off the tree to which He is likened (Song of Solomon 2:3).

Verse 9

roof of thy mouth — thy voice (Proverbs 15:23).

best wine — the new wine of the gospel kingdom (Mark 14:25), poured out at Pentecost (Acts 2:4, Acts 2:13, Acts 2:17).

for my beloved — (Song of Solomon 4:10). Here first the daughters call Him theirs, and become one with the bride. The steps successively are (Song of Solomon 1:5) where they misjudge her (Song of Solomon 3:11); Song of Solomon 5:8, where the possibility of their finding Him, before she regained Him, is expressed; Song of Solomon 5:9 (Song of Solomon 6:1; Song of Solomon 7:6, Song of Solomon 7:9; John 4:42).

causing  …  asleep to speak — (Isaiah 35:6; Mark 5:19, Mark 5:20; Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:14). Jesus Christ‘s first miracle turned water into “good wine kept until now” (John 2:10); just as the Gospel revives those asleep and dying under the law (Proverbs 31:6; Romans 7:9, Romans 7:10, Romans 7:24, Romans 7:25; Romans 8:1).

Verse 10

Words of the daughters of Jerusalem and the bride, now united into one (Acts 4:32). They are mentioned again distinctly (Song of Solomon 8:4), as fresh converts were being added from among inquirers, and these needed to be charged not to grieve the Spirit.

his desire is toward me — strong assurance. He so desires us, as to give us sense of His desire toward us (Psalm 139:17, Psalm 139:18; Luke 22:15; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 4:16).

Verse 11

field — the country. “The tender grape (Maurer translates, flowers) and vines” occurred before (Song of Solomon 2:13). But here she prepares for Him all kinds of fruit old and new; also, she anticipates, in going forth to seek them, communion with Him in “loves.” “Early” implies immediate earnestness. “The villages” imply distance from Jerusalem. At Stephen‘s death the disciples were scattered from it through Judea and Samaria, preaching the word (Acts 8:4-25). Jesus Christ was with them, confirming the word with miracles. They gathered the old fruits, of which Jesus Christ had sown the seed (John 4:39-42), as well as new fruits.

lodge — forsaking home for Jesus Christ‘s sake (Matthew 19:29).

Verse 12

(Mark 1:35; John 9:4; Galatians 6:10). Assurance fosters diligence, not indolence.

Verse 13

mandrakes — Hebrew, {(dudaim}, from a root meaning “to love”; love apples, supposed to exhilarate the spirits and excite love. Only here and Genesis 30:14-16. Atropa mandragora of Linnaeus; its leaves like lettuce, but dark green, flowers purple, root forked, fruit of the size of an apple, ruddy and sweet-smelling, gathered in wheat harvest, that is, in May (Mariti, ii. 195).

gates — the entrance to the kiosk or summer house. Love “lays up” the best of everything for the person beloved (1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 3:8; 1 Peter 4:11), thereby really, though unconsciously, laying up for itself ({1Ti_6:18}, 1 Timothy 6:19).