Song of Solomon 1:5-6 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:2-6

The spouse, in this dramatic poem, is here first introduced addressing herself to the bridegroom and then to the daughters of Jerusalem. I. To the bridegroom, not giving him any name or title, but beginning abruptly: Let him kiss me; like Mary Magdalen to the supposed gardener (John 20:15), If thou have borne him hence, meaning Christ, but not naming him. The heart has been before taken up with the thoughts of him, and to this relative those thoughts were the antecedent, that good matter which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:5

I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem ,.... The church having obtained of Christ, what she wanted, turns to the daughters of Jerusalem, the same perhaps with the virgins her companions; they seem to be young converts, it may be not yet members of the visible church, but had a great respect for the church, and she for them; and who, though they had but a small knowledge of Christ her beloved, yet were desirous of knowing more of him, and seeking him with her; see Song of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:6

Look not upon me ,.... Meaning not with scorn and disdain because of her meanness; nor as prying into her infirmities to expose her; nor with joy at her trials and afflictions; neither of these can be supposed in the daughters of Jerusalem addressed by her: but rather, not look on her as amazed at her sufferings, as though some strange thing had befallen her; not at her blackness only, on one account or another, lest they should be stumbled; but at her beauty also; because I am black ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Song of Solomon 1:5

I am black, but comely - This is literally true of many of the Asiatic women; though black or brown, they are exquisitely beautiful. Many of the Egyptian women are still fine; but their complexion is much inferior to that of the Palestine females. Though black or swarthy in my complexion, yet am I comely - well proportioned in every part. As the tents of Kedar - I am tawny, like the tents of the Arabians, and like the pavilions of Solomon, probably covered by a kind of tanned cloth. The... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Song of Solomon 1:6

Because the sun hath looked upon me - The bride gives here certain reasons why she was dark complexioned. "The sun hath looked upon me." I am sunburnt, tanned by the sun; being obliged, perhaps, through some domestic jealously or uneasiness, to keep much without: "My mother's children were angry; they made me keeper of the vineyards." Here the brown complexion of the Egyptians is attributed to the influence of the sun or climate. My mother's children were angry with me - Acted severely.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4-7

The soul's joy in the love of God. "The king hath brought me into his chambers," etc. If we may take this book as only an allegory, we find suggested in these verses this subject of the soul's joy. I. SUCH JOY IS BECAUSE OF THE KING 'S CHAMBERS . He has opened for her the unsearchable riches of his grace, "filled with all pleasant and precious riches" (cf. Proverbs 24:4 ). II. IS VERY GREAT . She will be glad and rejoice. She will "remember" his "love more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4-8

The Christian soul, its trials and triumphs. The maiden who speaks has been separated unwillingly from her beloved, after whom she incessantly mourns; she is kept in the king's chambers, the apartments of the women in his palace at Jerusalem. They ridicule her swarthy look, and she tells how her half-brothers had been unkind to her, and had made her work in the drudgery of the vineyards, beneath the scorching sun. Those about her wonder and scoff at her persistent affection. The story may... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:5

I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. The word "black" ( שְׁחוֹרָה ) does not necessarily mean that the skin is black, but rather sunburnt, dark brown, as in Lamentations 4:8 , where the same word signifies the livid or swarthy appearance of one who has suffered long from famine and wretchedness. There is certainly no reason to take the word as an argument for the bride being Pharaoh's daughter; but it points to what is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:5-6

Low estimate of self. A genuine Christian will take a modest estimate of himself. "He has learnt not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think." Many Christians undervalue themselves; and though this practice is not so obnoxious in the eyes of others as over valuation, yet this also is a fault. It is better to pass no judgment on ourselves; it is seldom called for; it is often a folly. 1. EXTERNAL BLEMISH . "I am black." 1 . This blemish ( if it be one ) is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:5-8

Dialogue between the bride and the chorus. I. THE BRIDE 'S SENSE OF UNWORTHINESS . 1 . " I am black. " The country maiden loved by the great king feels her own imperfections; she artlessly describes her misgivings to the daughters of Jerusalem, who constitute the chorus; she has been accustomed to rustic occupations; she has been ill-treated; the sun has embrowned her cheeks till she is black as the tents of Kedar, the tents of goat's hair in which the wandering Arabs... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:2-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Song of Solomon 1:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Song of Solomon 1:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:5-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:5-8

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