---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Song of Solomon 2:1. I am the rose of Sharon — Sharon was a very fruitful place, where David"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/song-of-solomon/2"
---

Verse [Song of Solomon 2:1](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/2/1). ***I*****am*****the rose of Sharon*** — *Sharon* was a very fruitful place, where David's cattle were fed, [1 Chronicles 27:29](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/27/29). It is mentioned as a place of excellence, [Isaiah 35:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/35/2), and as a place of flocks, [Isaiah 65:10](../../../kjv/isaiah/65/10), Perhaps it would be better, with almost all the *versions*, to translate, "I am the rose of the field." The bridegroom had just before called her *fair*; she with a becoming modesty, represents her beauty as nothing extraordinary, and compares herself to a *common flower of the field*. This, in the warmth of his affection, he denies, insisting that she as much surpasses all other maidens as the flower of the *lily* does the *bramble*, [Song of Solomon 2:2](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/2/2).

Verse [Song of Solomon 2:3](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/2/3). ***As the apple tree*** — The bride returns the compliment, and says, *As the apple* or *citron tree is among the trees of the* *wood*, so is the bridegroom among all other men.
***I sat down under his shadow*** — I am become his spouse, and my union with him makes me indescribably happy.

Verse [Song of Solomon 2:4](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/2/4). ***He brought me to the banqueting house*** — Literally, *the* *house of wine*. The ancients preserved their wine, not in barrels or dark cellars under ground, as we do, but in large *pitchers*, ranged against the wall in some upper apartment in the house, the place where they kept their most precious effects. We have a proof of this in HOMER: -
Ως φαν· ὁ δ' ὑψοραφον θαλομον κατεβησατο πατρος
Ευρυν, ὁθι νητος χρυσος και χαλκος εκειτο,
Εσθης τ' εν χηλοισιν, ἁλις τ' ευωδες ελαιον.
Εν δε πιθοι οινοιο παλαιου ἡδυποτοιο
Εστασαν, ακρητον θειον ποτον εντος εχοντες,
Ἑξειης ποτε τοιχον αρηροτες· ειποτ' Οδυσσευς
Οικαδε νοστησειε, και αλγεα πολλα μογησας.
Κληΐσται δ' επεσαν σανιδες πυκινως αραρυιαι,
Δικλιδες· εν δε γυνη ταμιη νυκτας τε και ημαρ
Εσχ', κ. τ. λ.. Od. lib. ii., ver. 337.

Meantime the lofty rooms the prince surveys,
Where lay the *treasures* of th' Ithacian race.
Here, ruddy *brass* and *gold* refulgent blazed;
There, polished *chests embroider'd vestures* graced.
Here, *pots of oil* breathed forth a rich perfume;
There, *jars of wine* in rows adorn'd the dome.
(Pure flavorous wine, by gods in bounty given,
And worthy to exalt the feasts of heaven.)
Untouch'd they stood, till, his long labours o'er,
The great *Ulysses* reach'd his native shore.
A double strength of bars secured the gates;
Fast by the door wise *Euryclea* waits, &c.
POPE.

Verse [Song of Solomon 2:5](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/2/5). ***Stay me with flagons*** — I believe the original words mean some kind of *cordials* with which we are unacquainted. The *versions* in general understand some kind of *ointment* or *perfumes* by the first term. I suppose the good man was perfectly sincere who took this for his *text*, and, after having repeated, *Stay me with* *flagons, comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love* sat down, perfectly overwhelmed with his own feelings, and was not able to proceed! But while we admit such a person's sincerity, who can help questioning his judgment?

Verse [Song of Solomon 2:7](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/2/7). ***I charge you - by the roes*** — This was probably some rustic mode of adjuration. The verses themselves require little comment.
With this verse the *first night* of the *first day* is supposed to end.

Verse [Song of Solomon 2:8](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/2/8). ***Behold, he cometh leaping*** — This appears to be highly characteristic of the gambols of the shepherds, and points out the ecstasy with which those who were enamoured ran to their mates. It is supposed that the *second day's eclogue* begins at this verse. The author of what was then called *A New Translation of Solomon's* *Song*, observes,
1. The bride relates how the bridegroom, attended by his companions, had come under her window, and called upon her to come forth and enjoy the beauties of the spring, [Song of Solomon 2:9-11](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/2/9-11), c.
2. She then returns to her narration, [Song of Solomon 3:1](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/3/1). The bridegroom did not come according to her wishes. Night came on she did not find him in her bed; she went out to seek him; found him, and brought him to her mother's pavilion, [Song of Solomon 3:4](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/3/4); and then, as before, conjures the virgins not to disturb his repose, [Song of Solomon 3:5](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/3/5).

Verse 9. ***He standeth behind our wall*** — This may refer to the *wall* by which the house was *surrounded*, the space between which and the house constituted the *court*. He was seen first *behind the wall*, and then in the *court*; and lastly came to the *window* of his bride's chamber.

Verse 11. ***The winter is past*** — Mr. *Harmer* has made some good collections on this part, from Drs. *Shaw* and *Russel*, which I shall transcribe. One part of the winter is distinguished from the rest of it by the people of the East, on account of the *severity of the* *cold*. At *Aleppo* it lasts about forty days, and is called by the natives *maurbanie*. I would propose it to the consideration of the learned, whether the word here used, and translated *winter*, may not be understood to mean what the *Aleppines* express by the term *maurbanie*. It occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament; and another word is used for the *rainy* part of the year in general. If this thought be admitted, it will greatly illustrate the words of the bridegroom: *Lo, the winter is past; the rain is over, and* *gone*. For then the last clause will not be explanatory of the first, and signify that the moist part of the year was entirely past; with which, Dr. *Russel* assures us, all pleasantness withdraws at *Aleppo*; but the words will import: "The *maurbanie* is past and over; the weather is become agreeably warm; the rain too is just ceased, and consequently hath left us the prospect of several days of serenity and undisturbed pleasantness."
The weather of Judea was in this respect, I presume, like that at *Algiers*; where, after two or three days of rain, there is usually, according to Dr. *Shaw*, "a week, a fortnight, or more, of fair and good weather. Of such a sort of cessation of rain alone, the bridegroom, methinks, is here to be understood; not of the absolute termination of the rainy season, and the *summer droughts* being come on. And if so, what can the time that is *past* mean but the *maurbanie*? Indeed, Dr. *Russel*, in giving us an account of the excursions of the English merchants at *Aleppo*, has undesignedly furnished us with a good comment on this and the two following verses. These gentlemen, it seems, dine abroad under a tent, in spring and autumn on Saturdays, and often on Wednesdays. They do the same during the good weather in winter; but they live at the gardens in April, and part of May. In the heat of the summer they dine at the gardens, as once or twice a week they dine under a tent in autumn and spring." The cold weather is not supposed by Solomon to have been long over, since it is distinctly mentioned; and the *Aleppines* make these incursions very early; the *narcissus* flowers during the whole of the *maurbanie*; the *hyacinths* and *violets* at least before it is quite over. The appearing of flowers, then, doth not mean the appearing of the first and earliest flowers, but must rather be understood of the earth's being covered with them; which at *Aleppo* is not till after the middle of *February*, a *small crane's bill* appearing on the banks of the river there about the middle of *February*, quickly after which comes a profusion of flowers. The *nightingales*, too, which are there in abundance, not only afford much pleasure by their songs in the gardens, but are also kept tame in the houses, and *let out* at a small rate to divert such as choose it in the city; so that no entertainments are made in the *spring* without a concert of these birds. No wonder, then, that *Solomon* makes the bridegroom speak of the singing of birds; and it teaches us what these birds are, which are expressly distinguished from turtle doves.

Verse 13. ***The fig tree putteth forth her green figs*** — The fig tree in Judea bears *double* crops; the first of which is ripe in *spring*. But the tree, as I have elsewhere observed, bears figs all the year through, in the climes congenial to it. That is, the fig tree has always *ripe* or *unripe* fruit on it. I never saw a healthy tree naked. But in the beginning of spring they grow fast, and become turgid.
***The vines*****with*****the tender grape*** — The versions understand this of the *flowers* of the vine. These were formerly put into the new wine (2 lbs. to every cask) to give it a fine flavour.

Verse 14. ***My dove - in the clefts of the rock*** — He compares his bride hiding herself in her secret chambers and closets to a *dove* in the clefts of the rock.

Verse 15. ***Take us the foxes*** — That these were ruinous to vines all authors allow. They love the vine, and they are eaten in autumn in some countries, according to *Galen*, when they are very fat with eating the grapes. They abounded in Judea; and did most damage when the clusters were young and tender. It is likely that these are the words of the *bridegroom* to his *companions*, just as he was entering the apartment of his spouse. "Take care of the vineyard: set the traps for the foxes, which are spoiling the vines; and destroy their *young* as far as possible."

Verse 16. ***My beloved*****is*****mine*** — The words of the *bride* on his entering: "I am thy own; thou art wholly mine."
***He feedeth among the lilies.*** — The odour with which he is surrounded is as fine as if he passed the night among the sweetest scented flowers.

Verse 17. ***Until the day break*** — Literally, *until the day breathe*; until the first dawn, which is usually accompanied with the most refreshing *breezes*.
***The shadows flee away*** — Referring to the *evening* or *setting of* *the sun*, at which all *shadows* vanish.
***The mountains of Bether.*** — Translated also *mountains of division*, supposed to mean the mountains of *Beth-horon*.
There was a place called *Bithron*, [2 Samuel 2:29](../../../kjv/2-samuel/2/29), on the other side of Jordan; and as the name signifies PARTITION, it might have had its name from the circumstance of its being divided or separated from Judea by the river Jordan.
With this chapter the *second night* is supposed to end.

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