As we begin our reflection on the Song 1:2-8, we are immediately confronted with the problem of identifying the speakers in these verses. To help us make sense of the conversation, we need to return to the background of the Song. King Solomon, we said, had fallen in love with a beautiful Shulamite maiden in one of his trips up to the northern part of his country. In a hurry, the brothers of the Shulamite maiden gave her in marriage to the king, who then brought her back with him. However, the heart of the Shulamite maiden was set on her beloved shepherd, the one whom her soul affectionally and truly loved.
Solomon, as we know, is well known for his harem. The Shulamite maiden just brought home is but only a new addition to the many existing ladies already in his harem. The scene of these verses suggests that the Shulamite maiden is now in the king’s palace and in conversation with the ladies of the king’s harem. With so many ladies in his harem to choose from, Solomon would certainly be spoilt for choice as to who he would spend his time with each night. Every lady would look forward longingly to be chosen to spend a night with him. So, in verses 2-4 we see one of the ladies of the harem expressing her desire for a night with the king and be lavished in his love. And the other girls then join in the chorus with her, for everyone also longs for a night with the kings as well. The competition for Solomon’s attention made him all the more desirable. A night with Solomon was an extravagant time. The ladies attached a great price to the time with him. Verse 3 tells us that they just simply adore him.
But the Shulamite maiden does not share their affection. Her heart is set on her beloved shepherd. In verse 5 we see her describing her experiences prior to the arrival of Solomon in her life. Now in the palace, as she looks at the fair ladies in Solomon’s harem, she became self-conscious. For she has a darker complexion as compared to them. She compares herself to the dark curtains of Solomon’s tent. The reason for her dark complexion was her frequent exposure to the sun while taking care of her angry brothers’ vineyard. She had exhausted her time looking after the vineyards of her brothers till she had none to look after herself.
Attractive as the palace may be, yet her heart is where her beloved shepherd is. Verse 7 reveals her deep affection as she expresses it. She longs to be with her beloved shepherd whom her soul loves. So, she wonders where he could be pastoring his sheep. In her situation now, she thought of those times how she had anxiously waited for her beloved to return with his flock to spend time with her. She recalls how she would hide among the flocks of the other shepherds, the companions of her beloved shepherd, waiting for him to return. And how his delay had kept her anxiously waiting. Verse 7 is the expression of her desire for her beloved.
What follows was a rebuke by the ladies in the harem. They refuted her claim that she is dark. And probably in sarcasm addressed her as “the fairest among women.” They blatantly told her that if she does not appreciate the privilege and opportunity in the palace and be a part of the harem, then she would be better off going back to her rural country. She should follow the trails of the shepherd and perhaps there and then she could be reunited with her beloved shepherd.
Every Christian should be like the Shulamite maid whose heart is set on her beloved shepherd, whom her soul loves. And Jesus is the shepherd of our soul. It is He whom we must love above all else. In all of life’s activities, we need to give Him our top priority. The world has many offers to attract us. There are people we want to spend time with. There are attractive programs beckoning our involvement. Daily we are besieged with all sorts of situations vying for our attention. The issue is where is our heart? Our action is often where our passion and desire stir the strongest. Do we love and yearn for the Lord enough that we will give Him our every waking moment? It’s time to take stork. We must seek to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
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