Song of Solomon 2:14

14. dove—here expressing endearment (Psalms 74:19). Doves are noted for constant attachment; emblems, also, in their soft, plaintive note, of softened penitents (Isaiah 59:11; Ezekiel 7:16); other points of likeness are their beauty; "their wings covered with silver and gold" (Psalms 68:13), typifying the change in the converted; the dove-like spirit, breathed into the saint by the Holy Ghost, whose emblem is the dove; the messages of peace from God to sinful men, as Noah's dove, with the olive branch (Genesis 8:11), intimated that the flood of wrath was past; timidity, fleeing with fear from sin and self to the cleft Rock of Ages (Genesis 8:11- :, Margin; Genesis 8:11- :); gregarious, flocking together to the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 60:8); harmless simplicity (Isaiah 60:8- :).

clefts—the refuge of doves from storm and heat (Isaiah 60:8- :; see Jeremiah 49:16). GESENIUS translates the Hebrew from a different root, "the refuges." But see, for "clefts," Jeremiah 49:16- :. It is only when we are in Christ Jesus that our "voice is sweet (in prayer, Song of Solomon 4:3; Song of Solomon 4:11; Matthew 10:20; Galatians 4:6, because it is His voice in us; also in speaking of Him, Galatians 4:6- :); and our countenance comely" (Exodus 34:29; Psalms 27:5; Psalms 71:3; Isaiah 33:16; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

stairs— (2 Corinthians 3:18- :, Margin), a steep rock, broken into stairs or terraces. It is in "secret places" and rugged scenes that Jesus Christ woos the soul from the world to Himself (Micah 2:10; Micah 7:14). So Jacob amid the stones of Beth-el (Micah 7:14- :); Moses at Horeb (Micah 7:14- :); so Elijah (Micah 7:14- :); Jesus Christ with the three disciples on a "high mountain apart," at the transfiguration (Micah 7:14- :); John in Patmos (Revelation 1:9). "Of the eight beatitudes, five have an afflicted condition for their subject. As long as the waters are on the earth, we dwell in the ark; but when the land is dry, the dove itself will be tempted to wander" [JEREMY TAYLOR]. Jesus Christ does not invite her to leave the rock, but in it (Himself), yet in holy freedom to lay aside the timorous spirit, look up boldly as accepted in Him, pray, praise, and confess Him (in contrast to her shrinking from being looked at, Revelation 1:9- :), (Ephesians 6:19; Hebrews 13:15; 1 John 4:18); still, though trembling, the voice and countenance of the soul in Jesus Christ are pleasant to Him. The Church found no cleft in the Sinaitic legal rock, though good in itself, wherein to hide; but in Jesus Christ stricken by God for us, as the rock smitten by Moses (1 John 4:18- :), there is a hiding-place (1 John 4:18- :). She praised His "voice" (Song of Solomon 2:8; Song of Solomon 2:10); it is thus that her voice also, though tremulous, is "sweet" to Him here.