I am Black, But Comely - Song of Songs 1:5

In the book of Song of Songs, Solomon shared how the bride and the daughters of Jerusalem said, “Draw me, we will run after you: the king has brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in you, we will remember your love more than wine”, and in chapter one and verse five of Song of Songs Solomon shared how the bride said, “I am black, but comely” where we read,

I am black, but comely, O you daughters of Jerusalem,

as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

The verse begins, “I am black, but comely, O you daughters of Jerusalem, ...” Solomon began with the words, “I am black” or “I, the bride, exist as dusky or jetty”, “but comely” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover lovely, suitable and beautiful”, “O you daughters” or “O you female offspring and progeny” “of Jerusalem”which means “belonging to Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Solomon shared how the bride spoke to the female offspring belonging to “Jerusalem” concerning her dark color, perhaps tanned by the sun, however, she knew she was beautiful and attractive.

The verse goes on to say, “... as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.” Solomon continued with the words, “as the tents” or “similar and in likeness to the nomad's homes, dwelling places and habitations ” “of Kedar” which means “belonging to Kedar whose name means dark and referred to the descendants of Kedar who was a son of Ishmael”, “as the curtains” or “similar and in likeness to the drapes and hangings” “of Solomon” which means “belonging to Solomon whose name means peace and was the son of David by Bathsheba and the third king of Israel”. Solomon said the bride considered her outward color similar to the tabernacles belonging to the Bedouin people of “Kedar” and the drapes which belonged to “Solomon”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon shared the bride's outward view of her own self toward the “young maidens of Jerusalem”. Her skin was darker than others which was indicative of a person who spent time out in the sun. We shall see why she was in the sun in later verses, but for now, let us consider that she knew her appearance was beautiful and attractive. God looks upon us as “beautiful”, and He considers us valuable enough to send His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us an understanding of how “lovely” we are to Him. 

Next time Solomon shares how the bride says, “look not upon me, because I am black”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".