THE SONG OF SOLOMON by D. Hildreth

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 30, 1860

THE SONG OF SOLOMON.

By D. Hildreth

THIS is one of the most beautiful poems in the Bible. The graces of Christ and the church are described in highly figurative and glowing terms. To many, this book is a dead letter, instead of being the living word of the Lord as it verily is. It is supposed to be a love-sick ditty, written by Solomon when he loved many women. 1 Kings xi, 1. But when the plan of the book is understood, it becomes an interesting portion of scripture. The Song of Solomon is written in the form of a dialogue; the three principal speakers are Christ, the church, and the daughters of Jerusalem. Christ invariably addresses himself to the church, the church directs most of her discourse to Christ, but in some cases a conversation takes place between the church and the daughters of Jerusalem. The daughters of Jerusalem no doubt refer to nominal churches. It may assist those who have never paid attention to this book to shew the manner in which it is divided. The whole of the book will not be noticed but the attentive reader will soon discover the form of the composition.

Chap. i, 1. "The song of songs, which is Solomon's." This merely shows the name of the inspired writer. His writings all commence in the same manner, also other books of the Bible. In verses 2-4 the church directs her discourse to Christ; in verses 5, 6, to the daughters of Jerusalem, and in verse 7 again to Christ. Christ answers her, verses 8-11. She again speaks to him, verses 12-14, &c. In chap. ii, 2, Christ shows how much more he esteems the true church than those who are only so in profession. "As the lily among the thorns, so is my love among the daughters." The church replies, "As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons." The church generally calls Christ her "beloved," while Christ calls the church his "love." Chap. iii, 6. This shows the condition of the church when she has obtained of the merchant those things necessary to her perfection. See Rev. iii, 18. Chap. iv, is a glowing description of the church. Verse 7 shows the perfection of the church when she is presented to God without spot or wrinkle. Eph. v, 27. Chap. v, 2-6, evidently refers to the Laodicean church. Rev. iii, 14-22. The church in her sleepy condition awakes enough to hear her beloved say, "Behold I stand at the door and knock," "Open to me;" but after standing there till his head is filled with dew, he leaves her forever. Finally roused by God's judgments, she opens the door, but it is too late, he has gone. This is a solemn warning.

May the Lord help us to open the door before he leaves. Verses 10-16, are the church's description of Christ. Chap. vi, 9, contains an allusion to the seven churches. "Sing O barren," &c. Isa. liv, 1. Paul proves this to be the New Jerusalem, the mother of us all. Gal. iv. In the prophetic song of Hannah she says, "The barren hath borne seven." 1 Sam. ii, 5. The seventh church is spoken of as the fairest of the seven. Verse 10. This is when she arrives at her perfect state. Chap. viii, 5. Here the church is seen coming out of the wilderness, whither she had fled from the face of the serpent. Rev. xii. Verse 8 fitly represents a church destitute of vital godliness, and therefore not pleasing to the Lord; but she finally attains such a state of perfection as to find favor in his sight. Verse 10.

Many interpretations have been given to this book, but in my opinion this is the only correct one. If it contains instruction for the remnant, like Daniel and Revelation, it will be more fully understood at the time of the end. Dan. xii.

D. HILDRETH.