01_Biblica_1_E_Kalimi_Layout 1 30/01/13 13:15 Pagina 488 488 ISAAC KALIMI to recall that a numerical sum at the end of genealogical lists of names is a common literary–compositional feature in the Chronistic writing (see, for example, 1 Chr 2,3-4 with similar structure as in 3,1-5; 3,4a.22-24; 5,13; 7,1). It is implausible to consider all those numer- ical sums as late glosses. These sum numbers were apparently done by the Chronicler in order to prevent additions to or deletions from the list, either deliberately or because of erroneous interpretation. For example, the number “nine”, which closes the list of David’s sons born in Jerusalem (1 Chr 3,5-8) indicates that the repetition of the names [mvyla and jlpyla is not a mistake and that the names are not to be omitted 22. Other scholars, such as Frederick E. Greenspahn, wonder: “It is hard to imagine what could have motivated the Chronicler to have moved his (i.e., Solomon’s, I.K.) name to the end of such a list” 23. Likewise, a decade later, Gary N. Knoppers asserts: “It is unclear why the author (= the Chronicler, I.K.) makes this claim (i.e., “four by Bathshua […]”, I.K.)” 24. Nearly at the same time, Steven L. McKen- zie suggested as follows: “It may be that the Chronicler sought con- formity with the pattern in verses 1-3 of naming the mothers. Since Bathsheba is the only Jerusalem mother mentioned in 2 Samuel and since Solomon was clearly her son, the Chronicler assigned the first four names on the list (that is, up to Solomon inclusive) to her” 25. But if indeed “the Chronicler sought conformity with the pattern in verses 1-3”, he could be factually accurate by assigning only Solomon to Bathsheba, and naming other mother(s) name(s) to the remaining three sons. Moreover, McKenzie’s suggestion portrays the Chronicler as a poor writer who was ready to “pay too much for too little”. In other words, the Chronicler was prepared to be totally inaccurate and contradictory by attributing four sons to Bathsheba (while she had Cf. I. KALIMI, Zur Geschichtsschreibung des Chronisten. Literarisch- 22 historiographische Abweichungen der Chronik von ihren Paralleltexten in den Samuel- und Königsbüchern (BZAW 226; Berlin – New York 1995) 250; see also the example and discussion on pp. 266-273; ID., The Reshaping of Ancient Israelite History in Chronicles (Winona Lake, IN 2012) 296, 315-324. See F.E. GREENSPAHN, When Brothers Dwell Together. The Preeminence 23 of Younger Siblings in the Hebrew Bible (Oxford 1994) 78. See G.N. KNOPPERS, I Chronicles 1-9. A Translation with Introduction 24 and Commentary (AB 12A; New York 2004) 325. See S.L. MCKENZIE, 1-2 Chronicles (Abingdon Old Testament Com- 25 mentaries; Nashville, TN 2004) 76. © Gregorian Biblical Press 2012 - Tutti i diritti riservati