Charles Ellicott Commentary Song Of Solomon 1:5

"I am black, but comely, Oh ye daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, As the curtains of Solomon." — Song Of Solomon 1:5 (ASV)

As the tents of Kedar — that is, Dark as the Kedarite tents of black goats’ hair, beautiful as the royal pavilions with their rich hangings. For a similar style of parallelism, compare Isaiah 15:3: On her housetops, and to her open streets, every one howleth, descendeth with weeping. For Kedar, see Genesis 25:13.

As the poet puts this description of the lady’s complexion into her own mouth, we must understand it as a little playful banter, which is immediately redeemed by a compliment. It also prepares the way for the reminiscence of an interesting passage in her early life. See next verse.