Song of Solomon 8:11

THE SHULAMITE'S INDEPENDENCE OF SOLOMON

For these two verses, we shall use the following version:

"Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon;

But let out the vineyard to keepers;

Each one was to bring for its fruit a thousand pieces of silver.

My vineyard, my very own, is for myself,'

You, O Solomon, may have the thousand,

And the keepers of the fruit two hundred."[15]

What is the Shulamite's vineyard? "The whole spirit of this passage justifies the view that she is speaking of her own person."[16] Granting this view to be correct, Bunn's interpretation is eloquent and convincing: "Solomon's vineyard is that immense harem with a thousand women in it; the 'keepers' are the eunuchs in charge of it. Solomon can have his godless harem and all its profits. The Shulamite's `vineyard' is her own chaste and virtuous person, reserved for her lover alone."[17]

It is extremely significant that the great king is not giving orders in these verses; it is the Shulamite who is `calling the shots.' This passage alone is absolute proof that Solomon did not overpower this young woman and succeed in taking her into his harem, despite his constant efforts to do so. We have encountered no convincing denial of this obvious fact.