My mind began to drift ...after beginning to read: The First Book of Kings & also Song of Solomon.  And though I do not claim any interpretation, I am leaving you with my thoughts ...if you catch my drift. 

(Also, we can say we have kindred spirits ...and better yet, is if we both have the knowledge to know about the Holy Spirit.  Knowing about ...then to correctly follow His leading may seem to be an additional difficult step to many sincere people.  Or it can be all too easy ...while easily, whether knowingly or not, bringing about a bit spirit void of unity.  How can that be?? That is another topic in itself ....entirely.  But, I would like to say now ...thanks to those who've shared their insights through a book, entitled, Hard Sayings of the Bible.  And yes, the section on "Song of Songs" was a pleasant and dreamy influence, while giving confidence to my drift. Thanks again!!)

(http://wisdomorwhizdumb.blogspot.com/)

Those who suffer, seek ...for peace, relief, or revenge.

While watching others suffer ...

• Those who are compassionate seek to help ...
• Those who watch others suffer at the hand of another, if that other is guilty or responsible for the suffering, the compassionate and repentant stand to suffer greatly ....and the result motivates change, as a great benefit to many. 
• Those who are opportunistic, try to make sure the suffering continues ...as they blame someone other than themselves. 

Those who suffer along ...and often for long, may reach out for answers difficult to find, but when they are found, they reach a greater depth of wisdom.

Considering all strivings, those who strive towards self-achievement only ...may readily serve self over others, and not serve God to the least of these. 

One can acknowledge God, yet to what degree if not also acknowledging all those whom God loves.  Understanding does not come immediately, but can be something we strive for.

Do not forfeit God's standard for us ...nor hold a standard we say is God's, without His compassion.  We all make mistakes ...it's more significant how we move on afterwards.

Without God, the ecclesiastical conclusion can be said to be only vanity of vanities ...yes, all is vanity, without God.


Edited in a couple spots:

There have always been songs.

And songs are sung for particular occasions, for all sorts of particular reasons ...and they always express some feeling, whether it is lighthearted nonsense, or intensely emitted emotions.

Yes, songs are always sung, but the songs with the most meaning are those that need to be sung ...the most.

But sometimes the noted damage prevents it from being sung. Sometimes it is repressed by insane confusion or is fearfully misunderstood, and can be uttered only through indiscernible agony.

There is a fine line between that which is considered civilized, and that which is not. There are on occasion, exemplary individuals who live in a very uncivilized society ...and there are often very uncivilized people who live within a society that most people would hope to call civilized.

Sadly, it seems to take a long time to convince a rather uncivilized group to become civilized, but a civilized group on occasion can become uncivilized rather quickly ...and I'm not talking about through a drunken condition. I could be speaking of ideologies that have a rapid rise through those who attempt to incite and manipulate emotions ...birthed through discontentment, present prejudices, or hidden and often undetected deep-seated bitterness or anger.

No, that is not the end of the bad. Often there seems to be no limit. Sadly, there are also those in life who embrace reprobate impulses ...beyond mere selfish aspirations, and void of any glimmer of regard for others.

The setting of this story is more than a thousand years ago, maybe more than two. There is not much of a standard of being civilized in most of the world, so it is quite common to be uncivilized. There is only one group of people that would hope to call themselves civilized, though they are being challenged within their own prideful claims to be so.

That which is uttered in the wood and in the field, might as well be uttered behind prison walls, as it is not heard. Many injustices and reprehensible acts echo throughout the valleys, but the sounds only return to self ...and the sounds are often as detested and shamed as the acts themselves.

(But that is the horrendous result of unacceptable passivity, tolerance, and a denial of all forms of guilt on anyone's part. When something that should be thoroughly confronted as unacceptable is ignored ...it becomes the part of ourselves that we often angrily deny is any part of our responsibility, or doing.
Though aren't we really a part of that which we are not actively against? Just because we are not directly involved, does that somehow absolve us of our feelings of responsibility or guilt??)

Yes, some detest the sounds, and try to wish them away. Some detest themselves, because they are taught to. The victims are taught they must not oppose the way of the world.

And some detest themselves, for only a moment, not knowing what to do ...and temporarily paralyzed, doing nothing. Perhaps a moment later, they still don't know what to do, but they decide they must do something.

Those in torment ...merely wait. They don't even know these kind of people exist ...who'd bring relief, or a message of salvation.

And they don't have much hope. They begin with merely living each day ...to dreading each day. Or more accurately, dying each day ...or barely surviving each moment.

The majority of the people are oblivious to the comparative few who feel the agony inside. So, life goes on in the marketplace.

It is a busy place, and a most welcome change from the monotonous routine of everyday life. It also represents their livelihood ...and the ability to sell their goods, to have things they would otherwise not be able to have.

Binnie's parents think the people at the marketplace are no different than any other people; but her parents are just naive, sensing no hint of insincerity, and not to question the less than subtle staring glance.

Binnie does not like the marketplace. She is not one to want to draw attention to herself. She wears the drabbest of clothes, yet that does not prevent her from being noticed.

The fact is, Binnie is only eight years old, but she cannot hide the beauty of her facial lines, nor the rapture of her lovely eyes ...and she looks nearly twice her age.

The people at the marketplace ask, "How old is your daughter? She's definitely growing up ...and in a little while, you'll probably let her come to the market by herself. You must be proud."

And she dreads when her dad says, "Yep, I guess in a year or so, we can stay home and just let Binnie take care of the market run."

Though Binnie feels uncomfortable with the marketplace, she doesn't quite know why. It's not that she's like any eight year old, with a desire to play, instead of doing work. She already does most of the work at home ...it's just that home is different.

Maybe she's making too much out of it. Maybe living in the country doesn't give you much of a chance to understand people ...or their ways.

But Binnie is content with not knowing much. And she is so relieved that market is only once a year.

By the time the next year rolls around, she feels perhaps she'll look at the market differently, being a year older and more mature.

But the marketplace people don't look at her differently, they look at her more the same, and that intensifies when she hears dad say, "Yep, I think Binnie will be old enough to come to the market by herself next year."

At age ten, she feels she is capable of doing about anything, but that doesn't mean she looks to everything as something she wants to do.

She would do almost anything for her parents, she loves them so much ...and it looks like that will include going to market by herself.

She keeps telling herself that it will be the same as it is now with her parents here ...they just won't be with her next time.

She can manage, she keeps telling herself.

But that next autumn comes too soon. As she arrives at the market, she soon realizes why she had hated it so much. The feeling of dread was not a fearful child's emotions, it was something she'd sensed ...that is real.

Oh, how she wishes her parents were here. She absolutely doesn't know how to deal with this ...after all, she's just a child.

She didn't think the time would ever come ...but finally it is time to go home.
She wants to tell her parents, but as much as she wants to, and somehow imagined she would ...she doesn't.

She has enough money to give them. And she doesn't tell them she had barely sold any goods ...that she'd dumped the goods along the way, before she got home.

Each year, she tried to devise a new plan, to try to divert the dread ...but each time the marketplace seemed to be an even worse experience.

Finally, at age fifteen, when she arrives at the market, she sets up her stand ...but she resolves it will be her final stand.

She knew her parents had a particularly bad year and needed the money, but she was not going to do it again. All she has to do is survive this one last time ...and next year she will run away. Her parents will have to wonder what had happened to her. She loves them so much, but she cannot endure this much longer. Last year was the worse, and she can't imagine that this year will be any less dreadful ...it will probably be worse, if that is at all possible.

Binnie tries to separate herself from her emotions, as a group of men approach her.

They don't even seem the least bit subtle ...and they appear to be eyeing her up even more than the others.

What really concerns Binnie, is that when these men had approached, the other men had faded off into various other areas of the marketplace.

This new group of men circle about like a bunch of vultures, having scattered the regular men of prey ...successfully eliminating the competition.

What do this new group of men have in store for her?

With the old group, at least she could anticipate the end of the dread, as the market period closed. With these obviously greatly feared men dominating the scene, would she even be able to return home?

Binnie fears the most dreaded is about to come ...and feels she likely has seen home for the last time.

The one man who appears to be their leader, approaches her, "Where are your parents?"

Binnie doesn't know how to answer. She fears if she says they aren't here, then it will be all over for her ...perhaps their only hesitation is that they think her parents are here.

She doesn't answer.

She hears one of them whisper, "I wonder if she is a deaf-mute."

Another whispers, "No, I heard her talk briefly to someone when we first arrived."

The leader asks her, "How long are you to stay at the market?"

Binnie answers softly, "As long as I want ...I will be packing up soon."

She silently wishes they will be packing up soon, and leave her be.

The leader smiles, "I will buy up all your goods."

Binnie doesn't know what to think of this ...as the leader buys up all her goods. The wealth involved in such a huge transaction even scares her more. It seems there is no limit to what they are willing to do ...but why?

And the question even magnifies her fear as she cannot understand why he pays her ten times the amount she was asking for.

The leader asks, "Do you have more?"

Binnie responds politely, "No, you most generously have bought all my goods."

The leader smiles and laughs, "Well, I guess you were right, you will be packing up soon."

Binnie is disturbed by his laugh, and he senses it, saying, "Don't be nervous, all I wish is to talk with your parents."

She is delighted to hear this, as she wants nothing more than to be safely at home with her parents again.

As the men follow Binnie on her long trip home, she thinks how relieved she is ...but she also resolves not to ever go to market again.

She has a plan.

When she gets home, she will give her parents the regular amount of money, but since the men had given her ten times as much, she will hide the rest of the money, and for the next nine years she will just pretend to go to market.
She will just dispose of the goods each year, and give them the amount of money she sets aside for that year.

Never in her life has she ever been so happy and relieved to see her parents.
But this feeling is short-lived, and is replaced by a feeling of betrayal. The men offer to pay her parents seventy times seven times the price they gave for the goods ...for her.

Binnie breaks down in tears as her parents eagerly accept the offer.
She has just been abandoned ...and the love she felt her parents had for her, actually only had a price.

She had thought her plan would help her escape the dread, but now it will have no effect ...she is literally doomed.

The leader realizes it even before he sees her tears. Being in the King's employ, one is used to taking orders without any thought of what affect it may have upon others. After all, the highest honor is serving the King.

But, the King had not ordered this ...they had taken it upon themselves. Everyone always scrambling to gain the favor of the King ...it should have dawned on him why the others had allowed him to lead with this one.
It was probably because they had doubts over their own suggestion ...but, so eager to lead, he now realizes he had failed as a leader. He should have known better, but he had eagerly told the King ...and now the King will be expecting him to deliver.

Having a daughter of his own, this leader feels he is, in a way, failing all daughters everywhere. With certain things it is difficult to hide the business of the King, and in this case they will likely know ...who is responsible.

The leader feels like running away ...and not returning to the King, but he knows he can't. His family will be eagerly waiting for him. His only course is that he must confess his failures to them, and try to salvage respect with the family's friends.

The leader is upset with himself for not thinking of it before. He should have taken his own daughter along.

The leader gives one of his men his own horse ...the fastest horse in the group, "Ride on ahead, as fast as you can, and bring my daughter to meet us."

Several days go by ...and they travel on. Binnie is treated kindly, yet she still dreads for what purpose she was purchased ...and what awaits her.

Then the leader's daughter arrives. "My name is Tammy."

Binnie is not sure she can trust Tammy either, though she does have to admit she is a bit relieved.

She is guarded by what she asks, but she feels she must ask, "For what purpose was I purchased?"

Tammy does not hesitate to answer, "For the King."

Binnie cannot ask anymore. She begins to choke up with tears, and cannot speak.

Binnie cries throughout the night. Every time she perchance begins to fall asleep, she has a nightmare about the King, and she begins to cry again.

Tammy hears her crying, and silently crawls over to her side, whispering, "Binnie ...Binnie, I am so sorry! But let me tell you one thing ...I can help you escape!"

Binnie tries to break from her tears ...nodding in agreement that she will accept Tammy's help. And they both crawl off silently, gathering together some things and some food ...and off they go.

Perhaps a mile or so into the woods, Tammy says, "Let's stop here for a moment."

Binnie feels she can run for hours, "Why?"

Tammy insists, "There is something I must tell you."

Binnie listens, looking into Tammy's sincere eyes, dimly lit by the moonlight, "You have a choice, but I feel I must make clear the choices ...before you choose."

Binnie asks, "What do you mean, I thought we were running away?"

Tammy asks, "To what?"

Binnie pleas desperately, "To anything!"

Tammy begs to consider, "To those like at the marketplace? I know of those at the marketplace ...and I know of even worse."

Binnie cries, "Even worse, like ...maybe the King?"

Tammy is now crying, "No, the King is a very kind man ...he would kill anyone who would attempt to be unkind to you."

Binnie cries, "A kind man who would ...kill? I don't want to be near that kind of man!"

Tammy tries to help her understand, "No, he has many people guarding all the comings and goings at the palace ...no one would dare attempt anything, so he doesn't have to kill."

Binnie continues to cry, "Why don't they dare attempt anything?"

Tammy simply states, "Because he's the King!"

Binnie nearly shouts, "Why did you take me out here to tell me this! I thought you were going to help me escape, now it sounds like you are trying to convince me to stay!"

Tammy wipes tears from her own eyes, "I wanted you to know I will support you with whatever choice you make. I helped you escape, and I will stand by that. But by letting you go, you will not be escaping. My dad conducted a legal transaction, and if you go home ...well, that's the first place he will go to look for you. If you simply run away and not go home, you will live in torment ...always wondering where you have to escape to next, and in constant danger of the kind of people you had to contend with at the marketplace. The only true escape is in going to the King."

Binnie is still in disbelief, "The true escape would've been ...in not viewing me as something that could be purchased, and letting me stay at home. I had a plan to avoid the marketplace. Now, I'm the one who was sold. I may be some precious commodity to some sick man, but being sold and subjected to the whims of others is of no precious value to me ...and it is not freedom. The King undoubtedly has unknown riches, and can buy most anything he wants, but I ask you how you can consider him kind ...with no consideration of how I feel. Do you know what I call that? I say the King is a sick man."

Tammy's eyes gather in all the moonlight, "How did you know the King was sick?"

The next thing Binnie knows, she is standing before the King.

The King says, "You are very beautiful. I tell you the truth that I have not seen anyone in my entire kingdom, nor in my live-long days ...as beautiful as you."
Binnie tries to be strong, but cannot hold back the tears. She is not fooled by those words. Those words are the same whispers of the marketplace ...and she is well aware of the dread that follows.

She gushes forth in tears, standing before the King's bed ...with the King in bed, as she anticipates what is expected of her.

The King calls forth, "Tammy, would you come in here, please?"

Tammy also stands before the King.

The King speaks to Binnie, "I am old ...and I am very ill. You have been purchased as a gift for me. I knew little of what it would entail. I have already talked with Tammy, and from what she has said ...and from the things she said you did not say, I can imagine. I know the marketplace, and what vile creatures roam there. I am so sorry what you've had to endure. I would like you to stay a couple days, to rest from your long journey. Then I will have my men bring you back home. Your parents can keep all the money given for your purchase ...as I consider it an invaluable lesson to me. I will send two soldiers to stay with the three of you ...to guarantee safety to you and your parents."

Binnie manages two words, through her tears, "Thank you!"

The King smiles, "You must be tired of the same food every day from your long journey. Tammy, you can take Binnie to the berry patch by the lake. She should enjoy that."

Two days later, Binnie is assisted by the two soldiers, for the long journey home.

She is so eager to get home, though she feels kind of awkward too. For the first time in her life, she has to deal with the doubts of their love for her ...having so readily agreed to her purchase.

Upon arriving home, she finds another family living there.

It is clear her parents had sold the farm ...having no tie to her, or to the home she had cherished for all these years.

The two soldiers assist her in inquiring of her parents' whereabouts, but no one knows ...aside from the fact that they'd purchased many things that would enable them to travel ...to where, no one knows.

The two soldiers tell Binnie that they must report back to the King; that they'd been unable to accomplish their task. As kindly as they can, they explain to her that they were employed to guard her ...and must continue to do so.

Binnie says she understands, and agrees to travel back with them.

After the long journey back, they finally arrive back at the palace.

Binnie asks the two soldiers if she can first go to the berry patch by the lake.

She quickly picks all the huge juicy berries she can find. She doesn't eat any herself. She smiles, "Now, let's go to the King!"

Binnie brings the King the fully ripe berries, and the soldiers explain what had happened.

After the soldiers finish explaining, Binnie takes a deep breath before boldly addressing the King, "I'd like to stay to serve you, if you will have me!"

Binnie spends the next several years serving the King cold fresh water, a variety of fresh fruits and berries, and she has the craftsmen build huge wooden wheels for the King's bed ...so she can wheel him throughout the castle, and even out into the fragrant gardens and orchard.

The King has the joy of a child, and Binnie takes on the role of the parent, or the caretaker ...and both are totally content with taking on those roles.
Those years are the best years Binnie has ever experienced, but it comes to an end.

The King ...dies.

Confusion abounds throughout the kingdom.

Binnie is scared. The palace is about with whispers, and the constant chatter of those seeking advantage. The King had many sons, and it is uncertain who will reign next. And one of the sons begins to look at her in much the same way as those at the marketplace had.

Turmoil heightens until the son who'd been looking at her ...appears to be the next to reign.

Then suddenly it appears that another son will be the one to reign. The one who makes her feel uncomfortable by the way he looks at her, loses his support and has to accept the fact that he will not become King as he thought he would. But as sort of a consolation, he does ask for one thing ...for Binnie to be his wife.

Binnie is very scared by this ...thinking he may rule his household much like the marketplace was run. But then she doesn't see him anymore. After hearing his request to obtain her as his wife, he is no longer seen about, nor does anyone mention what happened to him.

Binnie is curious what happened to him, but she is even more relieved.

Binnie is told she forever has a place in the King's palace.

This King restores the kingdom back to the way it was during his dad's reign ...there is no turmoil, and everyone is in agreement and at peace.

The King seems to enjoy lavishing upon many women. Binnie spends most of her time with Tammy, and tries to stay out of everyone else's way. But she can't help notice the King's way.

The King seems to really enjoy entertaining other kingdoms ...and the King is gifted with many riches of these kingdoms, as well as the promised delights of their daughters.

Binnie cannot forget her past. She remembers all too well, the time she was purchased, yet what she recalls most is the love she felt in being set free from this confusing genre of rituals and courtship ...not being subjected to what these women so freely seem eager to employ in. While at first feeling she'd been purchased as a mere commodity, she later felt that, in truth, her freedom had been purchased. While these other women seem all too eager to enjoy the commodity of presenting themselves, and trying to put forth their fine qualities as admirable selling points.

(At this time, I must take a slight aside with the story ...the story I call, the "Song of Stephen". Having worked in a prison, I know how confining that must seem. I also know that there are cultures throughout the world who accept the existence of a home being even more confining than a prison ...or a place one is asked to call home. But having worked in a prison, I've witnessed how effective a television can be in occupying time. Knowing enough about the content of television, it certainly is my belief that today's viewing of television has little potential value towards possible rehabilitation of prisoners ...and little teaching value, in general, for our children whom we hope will avoid the prison system. Yet, it is not just prison that we should fear. There is much danger in allowing ourselves to be absorbed in some things that are not illegal. A co-worker of mine, by the name of Charles, gave me his assessment one evening. There was a sporting event on television that he would have preferred to see, but the prisoners and a couple of the female co-workers wanted to see the television show entitled, "The Bachelor". I had not seen the show, nor had any desire to ...and what he described brought me no closer to any inclination to. Reportedly, there was a millionaire or multi-millionaire, so-called gentleman, who made show of entertaining the thought of choosing a wife out of a dozen women. Each week he would hand out roses for those still in contention. I don't know why I am telling you this, because most of you know more about the show than I do ...and I still contend that I never want to watch it.)

But my point of why I am telling you this, is that, in my story, Binnie didn't want to see the show either. Yet, unlike the show on television ...where each week women were eliminated, the show with the King added new women each week, it seemed. And the King would lavish the new woman with compliments, and present her with gifts. And the next week, another woman would be the recipient of the same compliments, and be showered with equal gifts.

Binnie did not understand why each woman appeared to be delighted to have her turn, but that seemed to be the way it was.

And Binnie did not look forward to the day when perchance the King would approach her, and it would be her turn. It seemed to her that all these kindnesses were an actual show put on, not just feeding the King's desires, but slowly allowing her to see his kindness ...and perhaps learn to be like everyone else, in accepting it.

Binnie thought the day may come, but then tried to convince herself that things were not as they seemed.

But the day did come, and she was as frightened as she'd been that first day when she'd stood before this King's dad ...when he had been King.

Binnie does not see this as a gradual process of learning of the King's kindness. Yes, he was kinder and more a gentleman than most ...and much different than the King's brother had been, whom she had never again seen. But all this kindness and gentlemanliness did not come close to love, the love she had felt from this King's dad, whom had seemed to understand that the greatest love he could show was in setting her free.

And she had shown her greatest love in return, by voluntarily returning to freely serve him.

The King speaks softly, "You are the most beautiful and most precious of all women in my kingdom, and of kingdoms afar."

He begins to compliment Binnie as he had the others ...and shower her with gifts. But the King sees her hesitation in accepting the gifts ...and he sees her tears.

Anyone would want the opportunity to hold and console such a beautiful woman, but the King sees more than that. The King sees that others who had likely attempted to rob her of her innocence ...had hurt her greatly in doing so.

He also realizes that the others who had hurt her, though not as mannerly or as gentlemanly as he ...may appear in her eyes, as all the same. To her, he was being as much like them, as he was not like them. And the truth of that brings the King to an uncomfortable realization.

He, too, was looking at her not as a person, and not for what he could give her, but rather for what she could give him.

It was at this moment that he realized that true love could only be given to her as his dad had given her. His dad had given Binnie her innocence back. He had truly loved her ...and she had truly loved him for that.

The King suddenly realizes that all that he had been seeking, after all, was not love. And now that he'd found what true love was, he could only have it by not having her.

Yes, it is clear now. Binnie had loved this King's dad in a way that he, as the son, had previously not understood. And by not respecting that love, which she still clung onto so dearly in her heart, he would be robbing her of the only love she ever knew. No one could replace, nor could add to that love. There is no enhancing that which is in its purest form.

The King speaks softly to Binnie, "You will no longer reside in my palace."

Binnie hopes the King has not misinterpreted her feelings. She does not want to be sent way; she has appreciated the safety and security ...and everything that has been provided for her. Yet, she realizes the King has every right to send her away.

Binnie wonders what it will be like.

She had become accustom to living without fear, and virtually not having anything to worry about. Will those of the marketplace be waiting for her? Has she been too selfish, clinging to what she had with the King's dad?

Perhaps she should accept the King as the other women have, and not think of the love in her heart. She would not be happy, but a little dread is arguably better than the marketplace.

But deep inside she knows it won't work. How can she serve the King ...and pretend she is like those other women, when she is not.

She had loved this King's dad ...as a daughter should love her father, and a father love her. If only this King would realize the love his dad had for her, and as a memorial of that love, if only he would show love in much the same way ...then she wouldn't be having this dilemma.

She cannot merely hope to savor within her a love as it should be, which she once had, then suddenly turn from it, trusting the roads of the world to better lead her ...making a mockery of love, at the very place she first realized it.

But before she can say anything, the King calls for his two main soldiers ...and Binnie prepares to be forever banished. The King had already declared that she would no longer reside in his palace.

"Guards ...escort Binnie out of my palace! Take her to the place I spoke to you earlier about. As you know, Binnie, my dad was buried by the cottage at the lake, upon his request. He died before he could make any request for you, but I think I know what it would have been. You will live out the rest of your days, and I pray they will be years aplenty ...tending to the berry patches, the fragrant orchards, and the gardens surrounding my dad's gravesite. I believe it is there you will be most happy ...and it is there I believe my dad would have liked you to be."

Binnie cannot speak through her tears, but her eyes speak of appreciation ...and she forms the words, thank you, silently with her mouth.

At that very moment, the King realizes that this is the greatest gift he has ever given ...and the greatest he has ever received.

The King shouts away his own tears, "And gather the musicians together, for tonight they will play ...for today, I've realized the true song of my own heart. It is a song which is not my own, but it is one of harmony ...one of joy ...eternal joy."