Isaac Kalimi, «King Solomon: His Birth and Names in the Second Temple Period Literature», Vol. 93 (2012) 481-499
In Chronicles Solomon is represented as one who was born under normal circumstances. He appears in the center of David’s nineteen descendants, and as the youngest of Bathsheba’s four sons, but still gained the kingship. The name «Solomon» was given to the child by God prior to his birth and He elected him as king. The root of the name was interpreted twice, but there is no mention of «Yedidyah». The allusions to or ignorance of the name «Yedidyah» in Psalms, Nehemiah, Chronicles, and Josephus, as well as the question if «Qoheleth» is Solomon’s third name, are also discussed.
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King Solomon:
His Birth and Names in the Second Temple Period Literature *
As is well known, David and Solomon have an essential place in
the Former Prophets, namely in the books of Samuel and Kings. In
contrast to David who is mentioned in several writings included in
the Latter Prophets 1, Solomon is not mentioned in any place there.
However, he is mentioned in a number of books which are included
in the Writings. This comprises, first and foremost, the late historical
books ― Chronicles (several times in 1 Chronicles and particularly
2 Chronicles 1-9 // 1 Kings 1-11) and Nehemiah (13,26) ―, and in
the poetic and wisdom literature, specifically: Psalms (72,1; 127,1),
the Song of Songs (1,1.5; 3,7-11; 8,11-12) and Proverbs (1,1; 25,1).
The purpose of this article is not to discuss the role of Solomon
in the entire Writings and the Second Temple period Jewish literature.
Rather, its goal is limited to discussing Solomon’s primary presenta-
tion (his birth, name and his place among Bathsheba’s sons) in
Chronicles, while critically reviewing the current opinions on this
issue in biblical scholarship. It examines the name “Yedidyah (Je-
didiah)†which is not mentioned in Chronicles or in Josephus’ writ-
ings, but is alluded to in Psalms and Nehemiah. The article also
explores the word-plays on the names Shelomoh and Yedidyah in the
book of Ben Sira. In addition, on the subject of Solomon’s names,
the article discusses the question of whether “Qoheleth†(Qoh 1,1)
was indeed the third name of Solomon.
This article was written during my time as “Fulbright Distinguished Pro-
*
fessor†at the University of Salzburg (Austria, 2011), and is based on the lec-
ture that I delivered at the 75th International Conference of the Catholic
Biblical Association (University of Notre Dame; July 30, 2012).
See, for example, Isa 9,6; 16,5; 29,1; Jer 17,25; 22,2.30; 36,30; Ezek
1
34,24; 37,24; Amos 9,11; Hos 3,5; Zech 12,7.8; 13,1.
BIBLICA 93.4 (2012) 481-499
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