Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.
Go forth - (Matthew 25:6.)
Daughters of Zion. Fully to be accomplished at Christ's second coming. Earnests have been given already: first in the Israelite Church, latterly in the Christian Church, in every fresh manifestation of His glory and His love to His people.
Crown - nuptial (Ezekiel 16:8-12: the Hebrews wore costly crowns, or chaplets, at weddings) and kingly (Revelation 19:12). The crown of thorns was once His nuptial chaplet, His blood the wedding wine-cup. "His mother" that so crowned Him, is the human race, for He is "the Son of man," not merely the Son of Mary. The same mother reconciled to Him (Matthew 12:50), as the Church, travails in birth for souls, which she presents to Him as a crown (Revelation 4:10). Not being ashamed to call the children brethren (Hebrews 2:11-14), He calls their mother His mother (Psalms 22:9).
Behold - (2 Thessalonians 1:10.)
Day of his espousals - chiefly the final marriage, when the number of the elect shall be complete (Revelation 6:11). Gladness - (Psalms 45:15.) Moody Stuart observes as to this Canticle (Song of Solomon 3:6-11; Song of Solomon 4:1-16; Song of Solomon 5:1), the center of the book, these peculiarities:
(1) The Bridegroom takes the chief part, whereas elsewhere the Bride is the chief speaker;
(2) Elsewhere He is either "King" or "Solomon," here He is twice called "king Solomon." The bride is six times here called the "spouse," never so before or after; also "sister" four times; and, except in the first verse of the next Canticle, nowhere else;
(3) He and she are never separate: no absence, no complaint, which so abound elsewhere, occur in this Canticle.