Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Song of Solomon 5:1
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] spouse, etc.] This verse should rather have concluded the preceding chapter, being Christ’s answer to the church’s request, which was speedily and exactly granted as she desired; which shows it was according to the will of Christ, and of which he informs her; for sometimes he is present, when it is not known he is: of the titles used, (see <220408>Song of Solomon 4:8,9); and of Christ’s coming into his garden, (<220416>Song of Solomon 4:16). What he did, when come into it, follows: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice: to make an ointment of, and anoint his guests with, after invited, as was usual in those times and countries, (<420738>Luke 7:38,46 <411403>Mark 14:3); “oil of myrrh” is mentioned, (<170212>Esther 2:12); These may designs, either the sufferings of Christ; which, though like myrrh, bitter to him, are like spice, of a sweet smelling savour, to God and to the saints; the fruits of which, in the salvation of his people, are delightful to himself, and which he is now reaping with pleasure: or the graces of his Spirit in exercise in them, in which Christ delights; (see <220413> Song of Solomon 4:13,14); and testifies by his presence; and having got in his harvest, or vintage, as the wordf306 used signifies, he makes a feast for himself and friends, as was the custom of former times, and now is; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey: bread with honey, as the Septuagint version, dipped in honey, or honey put upon it; see (<261613>Ezekiel 16:13); or the sugar cane with the sugar, as Jarchi, approved by Gussetiusf307: the meaning may be, he plucked up a sugar cane and ate the sugar out of it, which is called by Arrianus, meli kalaminon, as Cocceius observes; or rather a piece of an honeycomb, full of honey, just taken out of the hive, had in great esteem with the Jews; see (<422442>Luke 24:42); the word for “honeycomb” properly signifies wood honey, of which there was plenty in Judea, (<091425>1 Samuel 14:25); though this was in a garden, where they might have their hives, as we have. By which may be meant the Gospel and its doctrines, sweeter than the honey and the honeycomb; and, being faith fully dispensed, is pleasing to Christ; I have drunk my wine with my milk; a mixture of wine and milk was used by the ancientsf308; and which, Clemens Alexandria saysf309, is a very profitable and healthful mixture: by which also may be intended the doctrines of the Gospel, comparable to wine and milk; to the one, for its reviving and cheering quality; to the other, for its nourishing and strengthening nature; (see <235501>Isaiah 55:1); and (see Gill on “<220411>Song of Solomon 4:11”), and (see Gill on “<220709>Song of Solomon 7:9”). Here is feast, a variety of sweet, savoury, wholesome food and drink; and all Christ’s own, “my” myrrh, “my” spice, etc. as both doctrines and graces be: with which Christ feasts himself, and invites his friends to eat and drink with him: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved; the individuals, of which the church consists, are the “friends” who are reconciled to God by the death of Christ, and to himself by his Spirit and grace; and whom he treats as such, by visiting them, and disclosing the secrets of his heart to them, (<431514>John 15:14,15); and “beloved”, beloved of God, and by Christ and by the saints there is a mutual friendship and love between Christ and his people: and these he invites to eat of the provisions of his house, of all the f…
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