5:10 My beloved. This remarkable description of her “beloved,” with all due allowance for exaggeration because of her love for him, certainly indicates that Solomon was, at this time, a most elegant and handsome young man. At the same time, we are also able to see in her description a wonderful recital of the spiritual beauties of the heavenly bridegroom, as seen through the spiritual eyes of His future bride, the church.

5:10 ruddy. “White and ruddy” is, literally, “dazzling white and red.” As applied to Christ, this phrase must speak of both His sinlessness and His blood offered in sacrifice for us who are sinners.

5:10 chiefest. This was a common expression meaning “greatest of all,” a description applicable for a while to the great King Solomon, but applicable always to Jesus Christ, King of kings, and Lord of lords.

5:11 black as a raven. The regal appearance of Solomon’s head was appropriate for a king; his wavy black hair likewise. We know nothing of the features of Jesus, as the gospel writers are silent concerning his physical appearance. The prophet, however, predicted that, outwardly, He would have “no form nor comeliness” and “no beauty” (Isaiah 53:2). However, after His resurrection and glorification, we are told that, instead of black hair speaking of youthful vigor, “His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow” (Revelation 1:14), speaking of Him as “the Ancient of days” (Daniel 7:9).

5:12 eyes of doves. In His human incarnation, Jesus’ eyes were often wet with tears; in His body of glory, “His eyes [were] as a flame of fire” (Revelation 1:14; 19:12).