The last six verses of this love poem record for us three conversations. Verses 8-10 is a conversation that the Shulamite had with her brothers. Verses 11-12 is a conversation between the Shulamite and Solomon. And finally, in verses 13-14, is her conversation with her beloved shepherd. We will look at each conversation one at the time.
The conversation she has with her brothers took place back in the mother’s house. We surmised that it was they who had taken on the responsibility to raise her. She recalls how they were concerned for her. At that point, she was nearing puberty. The phrase “she has no breasts” indicates that her breasts have not fully developed yet. The brothers felt responsible to protect her chastity and modesty. The two terms, “wall” and “door” has to do with the status of her virginity. If she’s a wall, it means that she’s a virtuous lady who has not violated her virginity, then she will be crowned with silver i.e. honor. However, if she is a door, one who is flirtatious, then for her own good the brothers would build a plank of Cedar around her. This will be for her own protection.
In verse 10, the Shulamite claims to be a person of moral excellence. She said of herself, “I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace.” In saying so, she maintains her chastity and assures his brothers that she is of marriageable age, mature and she has taken hold of herself well. She knows she’s at peace with herself and had never at any point succumbed to any allurement, be it wine, fame or flattery of Solomon. And those who saw her can attest to her moral purity.
Her second conversation with Solomon is found in verses 11 and 12. She is seen here settling her account with him. Solomon owned a large vineyard at Baal-hamon and left it to the charge of caretakers. He had tenanted it and the tenants have to make their payment to him. It was a profitable vineyard. These two verses suggest that the vineyard could have been offered to the Shulamite for her hand in marriage. But she snubbed that offer and returned the vineyard to Solomon. In verse 12, she then refers to herself as a vineyard. She has kept herself well and she will not tenant herself to Solomon or any other. Despite the dangling and glittering temptations, she remains unmoved and fixed in her devotion to her beloved.
The last two verses capture her conversation with her beloved, the one her soul truly loves. The Shulamite is seen here as sitting in the “gardens”. She prefers gardens to open pasture land. The places of her delight are not in the open field. This conveys the idea that socially, she lives a restraint life and not one of unguarded liberty. Accompanied by a few of his companions, the beloved came asking to speak to her. He is eager to hear her voice and find out what happened to her at the palace. Wanting to be alone with him, she invites him to come away, so that alone they can share some private moments of intimacy. They can go to a place where they will not be separated by barriers and there they shall have a delightful time together.
Like the Shulamite, Christians must build a virtuous life of moral excellence. We must protect our integrity and live respectfully and honorably. We must not be easily enticed by the luring temptation of the world. Solitude is one practice we must cultivate to develop attentiveness to Jesus, our beloved. Be it fame or fortune, like the Shulamite who repels Solomon’s glittering offer of the vineyard, we too must repel the glittering offers of the world. Instead, we should find time with Jesus our beloved, He wants to hear our voice. He takes great delight in us and when we are with Him we will find perfect peace, and that we are truly home at last. With a single-minded devotion, we must pursue our love for Jesus. It is with Him that we shall find pleasure forevermore. Praise the Lord that He is our Beloved!
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