The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 34

IV. THOSE wao wom,n 'l'HUS FIND BtM ARE VERY DEAR TO HIM, The ~pcaker,hnd ad.dressed him as "thou whom my soul loveth," :md no,v he addreBses her as tho " fR.irest among women." She hll.d ~nid of herself, "I am blnck," but he says to her, cc Thou fairest," et-0. .All this suggests what so many Scriptures teach as to the children of God being "beautiful" in his sight, and as to his rejoicing over them.-S. O. Ver, 9-ch. ii. 7.-Love <1'1sailed, but ~teadfast. According to the interpretation, we have taken of this poem, Solomon is here introduced as cndeavomincr to win the maiden's consent to become bis wife by _flatteries and promises of rich gifts of jewels 1md adornment~; but he altogether fails. The above-named subject is therefore suggested. Note, therefore- • I. LovE ASSAILED. 1. By fla-tleries. Solomon compares her to whom be is speak- ing t-o the "horses of Pharaoh's chariot.." This comparison is not so coarse il.s H sounds. It was not unusual amongst the a.ncient-s to compare beautiful women to splendid horses (cf. Exposition). The ideas intended are those of grace in forrri and movement, courage, generosity, rare beauty. Then (ver, 15) he tells her that her eyes are like" doves' eyes." Then (eh. ii. 2) he disparages all other woinen in comparison with her. 'l'hey a.re a.s thorns, whilst she is amongst them as the lily. All thisis·just such flattery as Solomon may be well conceived as -employing. And it suggests how the soul affianced in God is often assailed. The world seeks to flatter it, that -so it may be the more readily bent to evil. What is the self-satisfaction, the pride, the serene content with itself, in which many souls are weak, but just the effects of the world's flatteries? Satan suggests them to the soul, and his servants repeat them continua.Uy; and his victims believe them. Flattery, what harm has it not wrought? So seductive, so powPrful, so ruinous always when listened to. If we believe what the world, the flesh, and the devil whisper to us about ourselves and our own exceUences, such as they are, we shall never think we need the grace of God, or, if for a while we have thought so, we shall soon give up such thoughts altogether. 2. By promises that -the worl,d makes of it, pomps, adornments, and wealth. So Solomon here tries to win her to whom he spe&ks. " Rows of jewels," for h~ad-dress,.-strings of pearls for her neck, gold chains studded with silver (vers. 10, 11). Such gewgaws and finery would he give her. Homer tells (' Odyssey,' lib. xv.) how attractive and tempting such things are- "A man of theirs, subtle and shrewd, produced A splendid collar, gold with amber strung, • With deep delight niy mother and her maids Gazed on it." And thas Solomon appealed to the natural love of adornment in a. young maiden all unused to such rich .presents. How many a woman's· heart has be.en won by them I how the love of them has made many a home miserable by the extravagance to -which they have been the temptation I how many a fair character has been blasted and lives ruined by their deceitful glitter! And a.re not such facts parables of one of the chief temptations of the soul, whereby it is sought to seduce it .from God? Jewels and pearls and gold, how they flash and sparkle I how they dazzle and delight poor human nature! Types are they of more terrible things still-the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, for the sake of which all too many men are only too ready to sell their souls. -How Moses was tempted by them I How· brilliant waB the. career offered him I he, the cast-out child of a slave, to be adopted into the house and family, the pos- sessions and honours, of the imperial dynasty, the Pharaohs of Egypt! _How our Lord was tempted in like manner! "All these things "-all the kingdoms of the worL:l .and the glory of them-" will I give thee if," etc. . ·, .. II. LovE BTEADFABT. Solomon did not prevail with her whom he tried to win. All his flatteries and fineries failed, Not one word such as the royal tempter would fain have hea.rd did she address to him, though many to her absent beloved. As showing her steadfastness, note here: 1. Howat once her heart tuNUJ to him she loved; (Ver.12.) The king has left her a.lone, has gone t.o his banquet. At once t,he sweet memories of her bel veq. fill her soul as with the fragranee 'Jf myrrh (ver. 13). "While the king is in his circle, my spikenard sendeth forth," etc. Her heart is always perfumed with OH, I, 1-17.] 'l'HE SONG OF SOLOMON. 23