Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Jesus Christ is generally "found" near the watchmen and means of grace; but they are not Himself; the star that points to Beth-lehem is not the Sun that has risen there; she hastens past the guideposts to the goal [MOODY STUART]. Not even angels could satisfy Mary, instead of Jesus Christ (John 20:11-16).
found him— (Isaiah 45:19; Hosea 6:1-3; Matthew 13:44-46).
held him, etc.—willing to be held; not willing, if not held (Genesis 32:26; Matthew 28:9; Luke 24:28-29; Revelation 3:11). "As a little weeping child will hold its mother fast, not because it is stronger than she, but because her bowels constrain her not to leave it; so Jesus Christ yearning over the believer cannot go, because He will not" [DURHAM]. In Song of Solomon 1:4 it is He who leads the bride into His chambers; here it is she who leads Him into her mother's. There are times when the grace of Jesus Christ seems to draw us to Him; and others, when we with strong cries draw Him to us and ours. In the East one large apartment often serves for the whole family; so the bride here speaks of her mother's apartment and her own together. The mention of the "mother" excludes impropriety, and imparts the idea of heavenly love, pure as a sister's, while ardent as a bride's; hence the frequent title, "my sister—spouse." Our mother after the Spirit, is the Church, the new Jerusalem (John 3:5-8; Galatians 4:19, Galatians 4:26); for her we ought to pray continually (Ephesians 3:14-19), also for the national Jerusalem (Isaiah 62:6-7; Romans 10:1), also for the human family, which is our mother and kindred after the flesh; these our mother's children have evilly treated us (Song of Solomon 1:6); but, like our Father, we are to return good for evil (Matthew 5:44-45), and so bring Jesus Christ home to them (I Peter 2:12).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Song of Solomon 3:4:
1 Kings 3:1
2 Chronicles 8:11
Song of Solomon 3:1
Song of Solomon 5:7
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