The call by the community for the man’s beloved to return so that they can share in her beauty and joy, offers him the opportunity to respond.
His response will continue in the poem of admiration in Song of Solomon 7:1–9a, but it begins here in Song of Solomon 6:13 with a question, Why should you look upon the Shulammite, as upon a dance before two armies?
He is sharing in the appreciation that the community has of his bride’s beauty and joy but is also laying claim to the exclusivity of their relationship. As her husband, he alone has the privilege of enjoying her in every way.
13 Return, return, O Shulammite, return, return, that we may look upon you. Why should you look upon the Shulammite, as upon a dance before two armies?