Solomon's name appears in the superscription of this intensely erotic poem, creating a striking contrast with his typical biblical portrayal as a figure of wisdom and judicial authority.
Song of Solomon 1
The Bride's Longing for the King
1The Song of songs, which is Solomon’s. Beloved
2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for your love is better than wine.
3Your oils have a pleasing fragrance. Your name is oil poured out, therefore the virgins love you.
4Take me away with you. Let’s hurry. The king has brought me into his rooms. Friends We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will praise your love more than wine! Beloved They are right to love you.
The Bride's Self-Description and Search
5I am dark, but lovely, you daughters of Jerusalem, like Kedar’s tents, like Solomon’s curtains.
6Don’t stare at me because I am dark, because the sun has scorched me. My mother’s sons were angry with me. They made me keeper of the vineyards. I haven’t kept my own vineyard.
7Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you graze your flock, where you rest them at noon; for why should I be as one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions? Lover
8If you don’t know, most beautiful among women, follow the tracks of the sheep. Graze your young goats beside the shepherds’ tents.
Mutual Admiration of the Lovers
9I have compared you, my love, to a steed in Pharaoh’s chariots.
10Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels. Friends
11We will make you earrings of gold, with studs of silver. Beloved
12While the king sat at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.
13My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh, that lies between my breasts.
14My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi. Lover
15Behold, you are beautiful, my love. Behold, you are beautiful. Your eyes are like doves. Beloved
16Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, yes, pleasant; and our couch is verdant. Lover
17The beams of our house are cedars. Our rafters are firs.
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Theme
The Song of Solomon opens with passionate expressions of love between a bride and her beloved king. The bride openly declares her longing for intimate communion, describes herself with humble honesty about her sun-darkened appearance, and seeks her beloved among the flocks. The lovers exchange tender compliments, comparing each other to beautiful and precious things, while friends celebrate their love.
Context
This opening chapter establishes the poetic dialogue format and passionate tone that will characterize the entire Song of Solomon.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-4 The Bride's Passionate Longing The bride expresses her deep desire for the king's love and presence, declaring his love better than wine.
- 5-7 The Bride's Humble Self-Description She acknowledges her dark complexion from working in vineyards and seeks to find her beloved among the shepherds.
- 8-11 The Lover's Response and Praise The beloved responds with guidance and lavish compliments, comparing her to a magnificent mare and promising golden ornaments.
- 12-17 Mutual Expressions of Love Both lovers exchange intimate metaphors of beauty and fragrance, celebrating their relationship in natural imagery.
The Bride's Longing for the King
1:1–1:4 poetry song joyful
The beloved expresses passionate longing for her lover, praising his love as better than wine and desiring to be brought into his presence.
person_contrast
Solomon's name appears in the superscription of this intensely erotic poem, creating a striking contrast with his typical biblical portrayal as a figure of wisdom and judicial authority.
The Bride's Self-Description and Search
1:5–1:8 poetry dialogue tender
The bride describes herself as dark but beautiful, explaining her appearance and seeking her beloved. The lover responds with guidance about finding him among the flocks.
person_contrast
Solomon's majestic curtains become a metaphor for dark beauty rather than royal power, inverting his typical biblical association with wisdom and authority.
Mutual Admiration of the Lovers
1:9–1:17 poetry dialogue joyful
The lovers exchange passionate compliments, comparing each other to beautiful things like horses, doves, and fragrant flowers. Friends offer to adorn the bride with gold and silver jewelry.
geographic
The beloved's comparison of her lover to "a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi" uniquely combines romantic imagery with this oasis sanctuary where David once hid from Saul.
Insights
Solomon's majestic curtains become a metaphor for dark beauty rather than royal power, inverting his typical biblical association with wisdom and authority.
The beloved's comparison of her lover to "a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi" uniquely combines romantic imagery with this oasis sanctuary where David once hid from Saul.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Song of Solomon 1:4 2 references
Song of Solomon 1:6 1 reference
Song of Solomon 1:7 2 references
Song of Solomon 1:15 2 references
Lexicals 2
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8
v. 9
v. 10
v. 11
v. 12
v. 13
v. 14
v. 15
v. 16
v. 17
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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