Song of Solomon 6:11-13

TEXT 6:11-13

Shulammite, Song of Solomon 6:11-13

11.

I went down into the garden of nuts,

To see the green plants of the valley.
To see whether the vine budded, and the pomegranates were in flower.

12.

Before I was aware, my soul (desire) set me (made me)

Among the chariots of my princely people.

13.

Return, return, O Shulammite;

Return, return, that we may look upon thee.
Why will ye look upon the Shulammite,
As upon the dance of Mahanaim?

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 6:11-13

166.

These three verses are very important to the understanding of the story of this Song. Explain why this is true.

167.

I thought this maiden was employed in the work of the vineyard. What is she doing in the garden of nuts?

168.

Her purpose seems pensive. Was she angry with her lover?

169.

This is a very difficult verse for interpretation. Paraphrase its meaning in your own words.

170.

If this is a description of her abduction by Solomon, she is surely playing down what happened. Why?

171.

Are we to understand the words of Song of Solomon 6:13 are from the Shulammite? Perhaps only half of the verse are her words. Which half? Explain.

PARAPHRASE 6:11-13

Shulammite:

11.

I had gone down to the walnut garden

To see the fresh verdue of the valley,
To see if the grapevines were in bud
And the pomegranate trees were in bloom,

12.

When quite unexpectedly this desire of mine led me

Into the midst of the chariots of my noble people.

13.

(They cried) Return, return, O Shulammite;

Return, return, that we may look at thee!
Why would we look upon the Shulammite (said I)
As if ye were watching the Mahanaim dance?

COMMENT 6:11-13

Exegesis Song of Solomon 6:11-13

In the most charming manner possible, the maiden recounts the circumstances of her being kidnapped; It was in the early spring of the year, I had gone to the garden where the walnut and pomegranate trees grow, it was also in the valley where the vineyard is planted. I had come for two reasonsI did want to check on the budding of the grapevines and to stand beneath the flaming bloom of the pomegranate trees. But I had also come out here in the beauty of the valley because I had quarreled with my beloved and I needed to think and pray. (We assume this latter purpose.) When quite unexpectedly this quest of mine led me into the midst of the chariots of my noble people. (Clarke) Or perhaps it was my confused state of mind, before I hardly knew what I was doing, my desire to visit the garden resulted in a place in one of the chariots of my Lord the king.

The thirteenth verse poses real problems for interpreters. Her identity as a maid of Shunem or Shulem is establishedthis is the only place in the story where such designation is given. Cf. 1 Samuel 28:4; 1 Kings 1:3; 2 Kings 4:8. As to who is speaking in the first half and last half of the verses, we offer what appears to us as a reasonable explanation: They cried i.e., Solomon's body guard who were running after the maiden, cried, Return, return, O Shulammite, return, return, that we may look at thee. She had been startled by the sudden appearance of this calvacade of chariotsshe left the scene as rapidly as possible. Solomon, attracted by her beauty, commanded that she be brought to him. She remonstrates with her would-be captors. Why would -we-' look upon the Shulammite, as if you were watching the Mahanaim dance? Such a dance must have been well-known as a source of public amusement for Solomon. She is saying she does not want to become a play-thing for the King.

Marriage Song of Solomon 6:11-13

We have nothing but admiration for such a woman. She is willing to admit her own limitations. She placed herself in a dangerous positionperhaps it was her own petulance that led her there, or perhaps it wasn-'t, for whatever cause she freely admits she was responsible for being there. She does not say a word against the Kingwas it because of her position in the court of Solomon? She tried to remove herself from the presence of all that was a threat to her and her love. She was an unwilling captive of the king. She refused to be a mere trinket for the amusement of the monarch. She was captive to her belovedhe had won her devotion. Her convictions were stronger than the environment. We are reminded of such a woman described in 1 Peter 3:1-16.

Communion Song of Solomon 6:11-13

What an example of the kind of commitment we can make to our Lord! We have indeed been taken captive while on our way to the garden of nuts! Before we hardly knew it our desire led us to a place in the chariot of Satan and we were whisked off to a place in his harem. We can be sure Satan has no personal interest beyond how he can use us. Are we ready to admit our need as the Shulammite? Flattery is a dangerous tool in the hand of Satan. It is possible that flattery was part of the reason the maiden was a captive. We, like the maiden, can recoup our losseswe can remain steadfast in our first love. We can return again to the One altogether lovely.

FACT QUESTIONS 6:11-13

210.

Why recount her capture with no blame for her captors?

211.

How do you interpret the thirteenth verse?

212.

Discuss the possible lessons for present day marriages in these verses.

213.

Discuss the kind of commitment necessary to overcome captivity by Satan.