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The wording of the Song of Solomon, Chapter 8 verses 11 and 12 seems to indicate that at least his many concubines were available for a price. The Septuagint reads:
"In Baal Harmon there once was a vineyard, which was owned by Solomon [the king]. Then he entrusted his vineyard, to others who would maintain it. And all men had to pay for its fruit, with a thousand pieces of silver. [He said:] ‘My vineyard is mine there before me! So, to Solomon pay up your thousands, and two hundred more to those tending his fruit.’"

I realize that the Masoretic text reads a bit differently, but not enough that it doesn't eliminate the question. Any ideas?

Hi Jim :friends: - You go much deeper into the words and meanings than is possible for me. I never would've read that inference into it, for vs. 13 goes on about "gardens" -

11 "Solomon had a (L)vineyard at Baal-hamon;
He (M)entrusted the vineyard to (N)caretakers
Each one was to bring a (O)thousand shekels of silver for its (P)fruit.
12 "My very own vineyard is at my disposal;
The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,
And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit."
13 "O you who sit in the gardens,
My (Q)companions are listening for your voice--
Let me hear it!" [NASB]

BUT - some stuff goes right over my head, lol! Here are the references in the NASB -

(L) Ecclesiastes 2:4 - I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself;

(M)Matthew 21:33 - Parable of the Landowner - "Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who PLANTED A VINEYARD AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT AND DUG A WINE PRESS IN IT, AND BUILT A TOWER, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey.

(N)Song of Solomon 1:6 - "Do not stare at me because I am swarthy,
For the sun has burned me.
My mother's sons were angry with me;
They made me caretaker of the vineyards,
But I have not taken care of my own vineyard.

(O)Isaiah 7:23 - And it will come about in that day, that every place where there used to be a thousand vines, valued at a thousand shekels of silver, will become briars and thorns.

(P)Song of Solomon 2:3 - Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.

(Q)Song of Solomon 1:7
"Tell me, O you whom my soul loves,
Where do you pasture your flock,
Where do you make it lie down at noon?
For why should I be like one who veils herself
Beside the flocks of your companions?"

Wow, I just don't know. The NASB has references for this whole chapter as a song with verses and choruses - about a bride and bridegroom. I can't see that it refers to a stable of concubines, but I've been wrong so many times I'm really used to it, hehe.

Tell us what you discover, bro. Love ya!
:peace:

Hi Willa;

Yes, a lot of folks think that this is all about gardens, fruit trees, blossoms, and hinds frittering in the hills. And the WT has it all being about "The Shulamite Remnant" expressing her devotion to her king, Jesus. But on translating it, you find an entirely different story about polygamy and its unfairness, and about the desires of a woman who is owned by the king and desires (and finds) a relationship with another man.

It's a strange song, if written by Solomon, but it is extremely sensual and filled with double-entendres. I know that there are those who would like it to be a light and airy song, not so dark, and many translators have tried to give it a cheery face, but there are too many words that just can't explained that way. Yet, it's the Bible, and it speaks of situations that God allowed, but which seem foreign to our way of thinking. And trying to change it into our image destroys its value.

Oh yes, and by the way: It truly is a song written in the Hebrew poetic style, with verses that were made to be sung. Any other way of writing it destroys the character and meaning.

Face it Jim .. Our Father is a hopeless romantic:redface::heartbeat::giverose:

Hi JWHVACR,

Thanks for drawing out the true meaning.

I've read it, over the years, as erotic, not the 'nice clean, pretty, pretty' that the WT wanted us to think about this - the Shulamite Remnant. It's not talking about worshiping God, but about two lovers meeting together to express their love. That's how I read it. Nothing wrong with that!

Yes, it's dark, as are many other parts of the Bible. This is after all, the way of humans and God has tolerated it until such time as change will come.

Tessa

Hi Tessa. So you didn't buy into that "Shulamite Remnant" stuff either, huh?:)

There are certainly some strange words in that song.

Solomon’s “fairest among women” now tells of a vineyard that belonged to him, located at Baal-hamon; and which vineyard he let out to keepers, who themselves paid for the privilege of working therein; the cost was 1,000 shekels of silver (Meek—American Translation); and, who for their labor received in return 200 shekels of silver. 8:11, 12

The Church of the Gospel dispensation, is our “Solomon’s” vineyard at Baal-hamon; and in which vineyard he delights to see it flourishing with an abundance of fruitage (saintly character) which in due time is to be made into a most delectable “wine” to gladden, as it were, Himself, His Father, and eventually, the whole world of mankind! “Baal-Hamon” means the Lord, or Master of the Multitude; surely a very proper title for our “Solomon” who at a great cost to himself purchased this field—the world! For a while He entrusts the care of this vineyard—at least a certain part of it—to the care of “keepers” who are to regard it as a sacred trust. Theirs, however, is to be different from that of another vine-yard (Israel) which Jehovah God “rented” out to certain husbandmen (scribes, Pharisees, doctors of the law, priests, etc.) and which vineyard gave its owner, practically nothing in return. (Matt. 21:33-41) Each, and every member of the “espoused virgin” class is a “keeper” in “Solomon’s” vineyard at “Baal-hamon,” to whom a certain part of the vineyard has been “rented.” The price for the privilege of working in this “vineyard” is the same for all of the “keepers,” regardless of their individual skill or talent or ability. This, figuratively speaking, is 1,000 shekels, and corresponds to their consecration—covenant relationship to Jehovah od, without which, “Solomon” accepts none! Nor is there a difference in the “pay” accorded these “laborers in the vineyard,” it is the same to all—a “penny” (kingdom honors), here represented in the 200 shekels of silver, and corresponding to a double share (2 x 100) in Jesus: (1) identification with Him in His humanity and suffering; (2) identification with Him in the glory (His glory) to follow.—Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12 (See Appendix “Y”)

Speaking of her own share in this vineyard, the “espoused virgin” is happy to declare that it is hers, that she realizes her own responsibility for the producing of a rich fruitage in her character. Yet, she is also mindful of the fact that her privilege to work upon it, is based on the covenant of sacrifice she entered into with Jehovah; and she is glad to know that together with others who work in their vineyards too (all of which are “Solomon’s”) she will receive a part of her reward now, and
the rest in the kingdom, later. (Eph. 1:18-21)

The above is taken from "Notes on the Songs of Solomon" by Anton Frey