Matthew Henry Commentary Song Of Solomon 3:1-5

"By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. [I said], I will rise now, and go about the city; In the streets and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. The watchmen that go about the city found me; [To whom I said], Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? It was but a little that I passed from them, When I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, Until I had brought him into my mother`s house, And into the chamber of her that conceived me. I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, Until he please." — Song Of Solomon 3:1-5 (ASV)

It was hard for the Old Testament church to find Christ in the ceremonial law; the watchmen of that church gave little assistance to those who sought after him. The night is a time of coldness, darkness, and drowsiness, and of dim understanding concerning spiritual things. At first, when uneasy, some feeble efforts are made to obtain the comfort of communion with Christ. This proves in vain; the believer is then roused to increased diligence.

The streets and broad ways seem to imply the means of grace in which the Lord is to be sought. Application is made to those who watch for people's souls. Immediate satisfaction is not found. We must not rest in any means, but by faith apply directly to Christ. The holding of Christ, and not letting him go, denotes earnest clinging to him.

What prevails is a humble, ardent entreaty through prayer, with a lively exercise of faith in his promises. So long as the faith of believers keeps hold of Christ, he will not be offended at their earnest asking; indeed, he is well pleased with it. The believer desires to make others acquainted with his Savior.

Wherever we find Christ, we must take him home with us to our homes, especially to our hearts; and we should urge ourselves and each other to beware of grieving our Holy Comforter and provoking the departure of the Beloved.