Matthew Poole and continuators on Song of Solomon 1:4

4 Draw me , we will run after thee : the king hath brought me into his chambers : we will be glad and rejoice in thee , we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

By thy Grace and holy Spirit effectually enclining my Heart to come unto thee, as this Phrase implies, Ier. 31. 3. Hos. 11. 4. Ioh. 6. 44, 45. As thou hast outwardly called and invited me, so do thou inwardly move me, who am naturally averse and backward to follow thee.

Both I thy Spouse, and the Virgins my Companions. And this change of numbers teacheth us that the Spouse in this Book is one great Body, consisting of many Members, of whom therefore he speaks somtimes in the singular, and sometimes in the plural number,

Will follow thee readily, and chearfully, and swiftly; which is opposed to her former sluggishness and listlesness. We will not receive thy Grace in vain, but will improve it, and cooperate with it, and stir up all our strength to serve and obey thee.

Christ, my Husband and Lord, the King of his Church, as he is oft called, the King of Kings, &c.

Heb. hath caused me to come, by drawing me as I desired. He hath answered my Prayer.

Where I may most freely and familiarly converse with him, and enjoy him. He hath taken me into intimate communion with himself. These Chambers seem to note either 1. Those heavenly Mansions into which Believers are sometimes said to be brought, even in this Life, as Eph. 2. 6. because they have a lively Faith, and well grounded Hope, and Assurance, and some comfortable foretasts of that blessed State. Or rather 2. Those places and conditions upon Earth, in which they enjoy the special favor and fellowship of God in Christ, as the publick Assemblies, in which Christ is in a peculiar manner present, Mat. 18. 20. where his Word and Ordinances are dispensed, and where he poureth forth his Spirit, and Blessings, and speaks great Peace, and gives forth his Loves unto his People. Yea, even the private Closets, wherein Believers enjoy much of Christ by Prayer, and Praise, and Reading, and Meditation, are such Chambers also: For it is not the Place, but the State, or Priviledge, which is here signified, and which is considerable.

Or, For thee, in, or for, thy Love and Favour to us, which is the principal cause of our Joy.

Or, commemorate or celebrate. This shall be the matter of our Thoughts and Discourses.

Those chaste and sincere Virgins mentioned v. 3. who are here opposed to hypocritical Professours.

Marginal references: Joh. 6. 44.; Ps. 45. 14, 15.; Or, they love thee uprightly.