Even the beautiful woman of Song of Solomon had her insecurities and imperfections:
5 Dark am I, yet lovely,
daughters of Jerusalem,
dark like the tents of Kedar,
like the tent curtains of Solomon.
6 Do not stare at me because I am dark,
because I am darkened by the sun.
My mother’s sons were angry with me
and made me take care of the vineyards;
Farmer tans aren’t typically sexy, and that’s even moreso on women. But the beautiful woman of Song of Solomon had a farmer tan as her brothers made her work in the sun. For us, a nice sun tan means beauty. But in those days, milky white skin is what was desirable. Something you can’t achieve if you are outside.
For her beloved though it doesn’t matter. He finds her breathlessly beautiful.
He
15 How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes are doves.
She
16 How handsome you are, my beloved!
Oh, how charming!
And our bed is verdant.
So is this couple married?! She talks about “our bed is verdant.” Or green is another way of putting it.
I don’t think that they this is the case as the wedding theme doesn’t come to show until chapter 3:11. Also there is reference to chastity (4:12). Instead, I think this is more about how their intimate love for one another flourishes.
