Song of Solomon 2:1

It will be noted that I associated Song of Solomon 2:1 and Song of Solomon 2:2 with Solomon's blandishments in the previous chapter. See my comment on Song of Solomon 1:15-17; 2:1 there.

"As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters" (Song of Solomon 2:2). Many of the commentators view the word `love' here as Solomon's reference to the Shulamite. If that had been the case, the word would have been `beloved' as the triple use of it in Song of Solomon 1:15 indicates. What Solomon is saying here is that his style of loving affection shines like a lily among the thorns, a self-compliment that Solomon supposed that all "the daughters" agreed with. If that had not been true among the daughters, not one of them would have dared to contradict the king. The failure of the RSV to make the distinction between love and beloved as used in these chapters obscures the meaning. This is unfortunate, because the proper understanding of this verse clarifies the following paragraph.