Song of Solomon 8:9 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

If she be a wall, &c. This and the following verse are certainly very obscure, and it is, perhaps, impossible to ascertain the precise signification of each of the terms or clauses used in them. The general meaning, however, of this verse is thought to be, that Christ engages himself to provide for her, in a way which should best suit with her condition. If the Gentiles, when they are converted, shall be like a wall, strong and firm in faith; we my Father and I, as the principal builders, and my ministers, as workers with and under us, will build upon her a palace of silver Will add more strength and beauty to her, will enlarge and adorn her; and if she be as a door Which is weaker than a wall; if she be weak in faith, yet we will not therefore reject her, but we will enclose, or (as many others render the word) strengthen, or fortify her with boards of cedar Which are not only beautiful, but also strong and durable. In other words, “We will take care of her, in proportion as she is capable of receiving or profiting by our bounty, like as men are wont to build on good foundations.” The eastern people delight thus to express themselves by parables, or comparisons. The bride's answer in the next verse is thought to show that the bridegroom alludes to the sister's degree of growth.