Albert Barnes Commentary Song of Solomon 5

My honeycomb - Literally, “my reed” or “my wood,” that is, the substance itself or the portions of reed in which the comb is formed. The bees in Palestine make their combs not only in the hollows of trees and rocks but also in reeds by the riverbanks. The king’s meaning seems to be: “Everything about you pleases me; there is nothing to despise or cast away.”

Eat, O friends - This is a salutation from the king to his assembled guests, or to the chorus of his young companions, bidding them in the gladness of his heart to partake of the banquet (Song of Solomon 3:11). So ends this day of outward festivity and supreme heart-joy.

With this, the first half of the Song of Songs is fitly closed. The second half of the poem commences (Song of Solomon 5:2) with a change of tone and a reaction of feeling similar to that of Song of Solomon 3:1. It concludes with the sealing of an even deeper love (Song of Solomon 8:6–7).

Some time has likely passed since the bride’s solemn betrothal to the king (Song of Solomon 4:5–7:1). A transient cloud of doubt or estrangement is now passing over her soul, which she reveals to her friends by relating this dream. Ancient allegorical interpreters see this as a symbol of the condition and feelings of Israel during the Babylonian captivity, when the glories and privileges of Solomon’s Temple were gone and the manifested presence of the Holy One had been withdrawn. Israel in exile seeks the Lord (Song of Solomon 5:8) and will find Him again in the second temple (Song of Solomon 6:3–9).

I sleep, but my heart waketh — This is a poetic way of saying, “I am dreaming.” Compare this to the ancient saying: “Dreams are the vigils of those who slumber; hopes are waking dreams.”

The voice — Or, “sound.” Compare this to the note on Song of Solomon 2:8. She hears him knocking before he speaks.

My undefiled — Literally, “my perfect one.” The Vulgate reads, “immaculata mea” (compare to Song of Solomon 4:7).

She makes trivial excuses, as if in a dream.

Put in his hand - Through the opening for the lock (literally, "from" the opening), in order to raise the pins that fastened the bolt. The ancient Near Eastern lock is a hollow piece of wood attached to the doorpost, into which a sliding bolt is inserted. As soon as the bolt has been pushed fully in, a number of pins drop into holes prepared for them. To raise these pins, and so enable the bolt to be withdrawn, is to unfasten the lock.

This is commonly done with a key (literally, an "opener"), but can often be accomplished with the fingers if they are dipped in paste or some other adhesive substance. For this purpose, the beloved here inserts his fingers, anointed with costly ointment, which will soon drip onto the bride's fingers when she rises to open for him.

Sweet smelling myrrh—Or (as in the margin) “running myrrh,” that which first and spontaneously exudes, that is, the freshest, finest myrrh. Even in withdrawing, He has left this token of His unchanged love.