The Shulammite bride expresses longing for her beloved's affection, describing herself as dark but beautiful like the tents of Kedar, weathered by labor in her brothers' vineyards. The lovers exchange admiration—she comparing him to fragrant myrrh and henna, he praising her dove-like eyes—establishing the poem's theme of mutual desire between bridegroom and bride.
Read Song of Solomon Chapter 1 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
Position in Book
The CourtshipChapters 1-3
The lovers express their desire and longing for each other before marriage.
The WeddingChapters 4-5
Deepening LoveChapters 6-8
Bible Bites
A Love Song Without God's Name
Song of Solomon never mentions God by name, making it one of only two books in the Bible with this distinction (along with Esther). Yet it celebrates the gift of marital love that God created.
Song of Solomon