Verse 1
1. In the Hebrew Bible this chapter begins with the last verse of the preceding, and such seems to be the better arrangement. If the first and last periods of that verse were spoken by the Chorus, still the speaker now must be the King. In the compliments of these following verses nothing is noticed more than it has always been allowed to painters and sculptors to portray. The King, as is most fitting to his well-known character, takes greater license in his praises, and this goes to prove the naturalness of the Song. It is far from necessary to suppose that all the parts of the person here described were exposed to view. The modesty of the maiden, unaffected by the warm and amorous language of the King, is seen to recoil from all these blandishments as being distasteful. They have the same effect on her as on any pure and highminded girl in any land or age. It is a masterstroke on the part of the writer of the Song to show thus delicately the amorousness which was the king’s undoing here failing to win its object, and appearing odious in the light of truth and virtue, however artfully disguised in poetic flatteries.
Shoes Better, sandals. The sandals of Eastern ladies are often highly ornamented, and are much noticed.
O prince’s daughter Hebrew, noble girl. There is no allusion to her pedigree, but to her character.
Like jewels That is, delicately wrought and highly finished.
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