Vineyard Days – Two Suitors

The Shulamite was faced with a dilemma. That “something special” about her had captivated the attention of two suitors.

On one hand, she had experienced her first love. More than that, her Shepherd Lover was her true and lasting love. They were meant for each other, and she would yet come to know what longing really was.

On the other hand, she had been discovered by Solomon while he was out riding through his vineyards. Even in peasant garb, her natural beauty shone through. Solomon was enthralled. He must have her…regardless of the fact that his harem already numbered a thousand other beauties.

Love was not on his mind. Lust was. Seven hundred wives relegated the marriage covenant to the common and the ordinary. Three hundred concubines merely signaled further conquest. The Shulamite, however, captivated Solomon above all the others. In his eyes, she was his queen among the princesses (the daughters of Jerusalem).

Indeed, the Song of Solomon was written by him as what appears to be a musical with a plot that contains music, singing, and dancing. He the villain lover; the Shulamite the heroine. He was writing his heart out while his new bride was eating her heart out – for the real love of a ruddy shepherd boy.

Don’t miss the irony that scripture portrays at times. Solomon, son of lovely Bathsheba and preceded in the throne by his father, King David, was now the second-generation king of the most glorious kingdom in the history of Israel. There was nothing of riches he would hold back from his lovely young wife. But the heart of his new and favored bride longed for return to the embrace of her ruddy shepherd – the same description used of David. A ruddy shepherd boy, who did not exude the qualities and appearance one would look for in a future king of Israel. “Nothing attractive about him…” (Isaiah 53)

No doubt Solomon was exceedingly handsome. How many of the other 999 females in his harem thought they hit the Powerball jackpot when they were ushered into their palatial surroundings? But that “something special” about the Shulamite caused her heart to know what natural eyes did not see. Regardless of the position she held, with her every whim and wish granted, satisfaction was elusive.

But position and granted wishes can become intoxicating. And here, the plot thins…

Even though the call of her Beloved was to “come away” with him, she was living in an environment that catered to her flesh. To answer the call was not going to be easy nor quick, as Solomon’s song sang on.

But remember her second suitor. Her Shepherd Lover was also writing a beautiful love sonnet for His beloved. He was preparing, for He too had a heart full of love to lavish upon her. Royal clothing of another kind; gold and jewels from deep, dark mines; spiritual riches that Solomon had inherited but had chosen to squander. Solomon, ignorant in spite of his great wisdom, could not compare to the Real Suitor of the Shulamite’s heart and life. But still he vainly sang on, composing his greatest of poetic love songs.

As for the Shulamite…small snatches of rhythm and rhyme would lull her to sleep at night as she lay in the arms of Solomon. Like the tendrils of a young vine, the love that her Shepherd Lover had to offer her would teasingly curl around the edges of her mind, will and emotions. If only she could capture it…

***

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song

***

Tendril-ly,

Gracefully Free

* Source: http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/The_Love_of_God/ – Written by Frederick M. Lehman, 1917 – Public Domain

Shammahs Field LLC/Shammah Ministries is the biblical counseling, life coaching, and spiritual growth ministry entrusted to Wayne & Nancy Bentz. You can learn more about the resources they have to offer at www.shammahsfield.com.