The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 96

only, but even more ?f riches, ". the!e wanteth not sin." Therefore these things are not to become the obJect of desire m a good man's soul. 2. They were designed to tempt her of whom this song tells. Solomon would dazzle her with his splendour and weRlth, and so would make her "forget" her "kindred" and her "father's house;" for the king desired her beauty. And in like m,:inner the same temptation is held out still. For the sake of these things what sacrifices are made of loyalty and truth and goodness! She resist,ed by the might of her affection for her" beloved;" the power of her true love enabled her to overcome. Aud only the presence in our hearts of a higher love, and, best of all, the highest, even the love of God, will drive out and overcome all lower and evil love. II. A GREAT LACK. There is nothing in all this glory of pomp and wealth which marks the presence of those G-odward riches which alone arc real; nothing to satisfy the soul of man or to help it in its life. The soul might starve, as Solomon's did, in srite of all this glory; and, on the other hand, the soul can prosper well though it can call none of this glory its own. We cannot help desiring earthly riches-they are designed in due measure to attract and stimulate us; and they will do us no harm if we arc careful, all the while we seek them, to be rich towards God; to possess, as we may, "the unsearchable riches of Christ." Dut poor and miserable is that soul, though he have all Solomon's glory, if he have not these. . III. A VIVID TYPE. This is what expositors in all ages have mostly seen in the pomp these verses describe. Some have seen a setting forth of the glory of Ghrist on his return to heaven. He comes up out of the wilderness of this dreary world. The incense of praise, fragrant and precious, is given to him. He is borne in stately triumph (cf. Ps. xxiv. 7-10). He is attended by his angel.guards. He has prepared a place for them that love him, and will receive them unto himself. All who love him are to go forth and behold his glory. Thus the triumph of Jesus, the King of Zion, is shown forth. Others have read in these verses the unseen glory of the redeemed soul. He comes up out of the wilderness, as Lazarus was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom. The entrance into glory is with joy and praise. Angel•guards surround. The King bath prepared a place, a throne-his own throne-on which the redeemed with their Lord shall sit. Love-Christ's love-has paved all the way. The vision of Christ in his glory which the redeemed shall enjoy. In such ways as this have devout souls found this Scripture full of profit; in this or in other ways may we find it li.kewise.-S. C. Vers.1-4.-Thesearchfor the true King. When once the Spirit of truth has begun his work in the heart, there is a strong yearning after Jesus. In fulfilling his mission as the Revealer of Christ, the Spirit excites within us intense longings to have the friendship of Jesus. We take this as clear proof that a work of grace has begun in us if we feel that none but Christ can satisfy. Now we can part with all we have to obtain this goodly pearl. As the man who had inadvertently slain a fellow flees with ligLtning speed toward the city of refuge, feeling that the blood•avenger is at his heels, so the convicted sinner has an eye for only one object-Christ. This persistent search for the Saviour is a token for good. The tree that does not easily languish in summer drought, but grows, blossoms, unfolds its fruit, has most certainly deep roots in the soil ; so, if under manifold discouragements we steadily seek after Christ, we may be ~ure that we are planted in the soil of grace by the Lord's right hand. 'fhree main lhoughts are in this text. I. JEsue eouGBT. "I sought him whom my soul loveth." 1. True love to 01"-ist lows brightly even in his cibsenr-e. Genuine love is of all things the most unselfish, We wve him not so much for the benefit to be obtained; we love him because he is lovable. Having once known him, we cannot restrain our love. To give the shrine of the heart to another would be self-degradation, idolatry. On this account it may be that Jesus keeps away. He sees some growing rivalry within. He sees some need for our self• purging. He wants the soul to realize a deeper need. He wants to make hie love more prized. Many worthy reasons has Jesus for hiding himself. "fie a temporary winter in order to bring about a more prolific harvest. So, whether we have any assurance of hie love or not, we will love him; we will seek after him, 2. The absence of If'.sUii makes mi,dni9ht for the aaul. '' By night , .. I sought him," lf Jesus h"11  OII, III, 1-11.] THE SONG OF SOLOMON. 85