Song of Solomon 2:1

I am the rose of Sharon. The chapter division has led some to associate v. 1 with what follows. Thus Solomon would be the speaker in this verse. Hence, by spiritual application, both the titles “rose of Sharon” and “lily of the valleys” have been referred to Christ. Grammatically and contextually, however, it is more natural to consider this verse a statement of the bride. The word for “lily” may have either a masculine or a feminine form. The feminine form occurs here, whereas the masculine form appears in chs. 2:16; 4:5; 5:13; 6:2, 3; 7:2. The feminine form occurs again in ch. 2:2, where it definitely applies to the Shulamite maid. Contextual considerations also favor this view. According to it the bride is confessing her modesty, stating that she feels out of place in a palace. She is only a country flower.

The word translated “rose” occurs only here and in Isa. 35:1, and the identity is uncertain. It may be identified with the crocus, asphodel, or narcissus. Some wild flower seems to be intended.

“Sharon” means literally, “a field,” “a plain,” and as a proper name signifies the maritime plain between Joppa and Mt. Carmel. The LXX takes “Sharon” here as a general designation of an open field.