Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.
Whither is thy beloved gone? Historically, at Jesus Christ's crucifixion and burial, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, and others, were led to openly join with His professed disciples. By speaking of Jesus Christ, the bride does good not only to her own soul, but to others (note, Song of Solomon 1:4). Compare the hypocritical use of a similar inquiry after Christ by Herod (Matthew 2:8).